Friday Phoenix Notebook

Friday Phoenix Notebook

Notebook Items:

·        Kevin Harvick scoffs at rumors he’ll leave Stewart-Haas Racing

·        Ford honored with third "Driving Business Award"

·        Battle of superheroes set for Fontana

Mar. 11, 2016

By Reid Spencer

NASCAR Wire Service

Kevin Harvick scoffs at rumors he’ll leave Stewart-Haas Racing

AVONDALE, Ariz. – Why would a lifelong Chevrolet driver agree to a manufacturer switch to Ford?

The bottom line: the performance of the organization that’s making the change.

Stewart-Haas Racing took the entire NASCAR Sprint Cup Series community by surprise with its announcement of the team’s impending move to Ford in 2017. Co-owner Tony Stewart has been a Chevy loyalist throughout his racing career, and insiders marveled at his willingness to make a deal with another car maker.

Likewise, Kevin Harvick has driven Chevrolets since he broke into NASCAR Sprint Cup Series racing with Richard Childress Racing in 2001. Harvick’s long association with Chevy has given rise to speculation that the driver of the No. 4 car might look to change teams because of the switch to Ford.

Before Friday morning’s opening Cup practice at Phoenix International Raceway, however, Harvick was dismissive of that idea. Asked pointedly if he’ll be in a Stewart-Haas Racing Ford next year, Harvick gave every indication that will be the case.

“I don’t see any reason why that wouldn’t happen,” Harvick said. “For me, I’m in the best position that I’ve been in with my team. I feel like I have the best crew chief in the garage (Rodney Childers).

“It would be pretty tough to turn around and walk out on everybody who has been a part of building everything that we have built so far.”

That’s an understatement. Since joining SHR in 2014, Harvick has won eight races, nine poles and a championship.

And, by the way, Harvick has won five of the last seven races at Phoenix. Since joining Stewart-Haas, he has finished first three times and second once at PIR.

FORD HONORED WITH THIRD “DRIVING BUSINESS AWARD”

Ford Motor Company is the first three-time winner of the NASCAR “Driving Business Award,” the sanctioning body announced on Friday.

The award honors the Official NASCAR Partner that demonstrates leadership and results through participation in the NASCAR Fuel for Business Council (NFFB).

“As a proud member of the Council, winning the ‘Driving Business Award’ for the third time is proof, yet again, of how effective the NASCAR Fuel for Business Council platform is at generating a positive return on investment for partners,” said Tim Duerr, Ford Performance motorsports marketing manager.

“At Ford, we’re constantly identifying new and innovative ways to add value to our partnerships, and this tool maximizes our B2B strategy in motorsports.”

More than two-thirds of the council members participated in business deals with Ford, which sold more than 3,500 vehicles through its “Partner Recognition Program.” Co-marketing programs with Miller Coors, Goodyear and SiriusXM Satellite Radio resulted in sales of nearly 900 vehicles.

All told, Ford executed an array of business deals totaling more than $5 million.

BATTLE OF SUPERHEROES SET FOR FONTANA

Hendrick Motorsports teammates Jimmie Johnson and Dale Earnhardt Jr. will square off next weekend at Auto Club Speedway in Fontana, Calif., with the liveries of rival superheroes Superman and Batman prominently displayed on the hoods of their cars.

As part of a promotion for the film “Batman vs. Superman: Dawn of Justice,” Johnson’s No. 48 Chevrolet will feature the large, unmistakable Superman “S” in the primary sponsorship position. Earnhardt’s No. 88 Chevy features Batman above the primary sponsor Nationwide Insurance’s logo.

The choice of Johnson as Superman is appropriate. During his run of five straight championship from 2006 through 2010, he earned that very nickname.

“I didn’t have a say, but I was very happy to end up with Superman,” Johnson said on Friday at Phoenix International Raceway. “I think Mark Martin called me that years ago, and some have used that reference in a nickname from time to time.

“I feel like it was much more fitting than Batman. Superman is going to kick Batman’s butt—bottom line.”

Earnhardt may have something to say about Johnson’s assertion. The association with Batman has been serendipitous for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series’ perennial most popular driver.

When Earnhardt drove a Batman-themed car promoting “The Dark Knight Rises” at Michigan in 2012, he broke a 143-race drought, winning for the first time since 2008.