BUSCH: Rib injury to force Harvick out?

A rib and sternum injury suffered in his Gatorade Duel crash at Daytona nearly two weeks ago could sideline Kevin Harvick from the inaugural Busch Series race in Mexico this weekend.

Harvick, who is scheduled to drive the #21 Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet for Richard Childress Racing, will make his decision on whether or not to race after practicing around the bumpy 2.5-mile Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez road course.

Should the injuries Harvick suffered when he was hit by Rusty Wallace and Mark Martin in last Thursday's contentious Gatorade Duel crash prove too much, Brandon Walker will drive the car, which has a one race sponsor deal with Pelon Pelo Rico for the weekend.

Harvick's ribs and sternum are sore and says he has trouble getting in and out of the car. He plans to test his ability to shift the car in the turns during practice.

"I am extremely excited to run in Mexico," Harvick said. "Well, I am hoping I can drive the #21 Chevrolet. My ribs and chest are still really sore from my crash in Daytona, and I am not sure if I can shift the car through the turns in the road course. If I cannot run this weekend, Brandon Miller will take over."

If Harvick is unable to drive this weekend in Mexico, it will mark the first race Harvick has missed due to injury. This will be very disappointing for Harvick and crew chief Rick Viers. They felt they had a great chance to win the inaugural Busch Series race in Mexico City.

"Kevin has always been pretty good at road-course events," Viers said. "He will have a few road-course experts to deal with, but the experts always seem to have bad luck. He will also have Robby Gordon to deal with, but in the past couple of road-course events, Kevin has been a thorn in Gordon's side. We really like our chances of winning this event."

Viers added that the decision on who will drive the #21 entry this weekend will lie with Harvick.

"The decision is up to Kevin, and he will not make it until after practice on Saturday," stated the crew chief. "There is a chance that Brandon Miller will run the #21 machine during practice since it's about five hours long. This will also give Miller some seat time just in case Harvick can't run the race on Sunday. I think in the end Harvick will tough it out."