Despite struggles, Harvick remains optimistic

CONCORD, N.C. -- It has been emotionally exhausting, this past year in the dark, frigid shadow of an icon. But somehow, the nickname still applies.

Kevin Harvick is still "Happy."

Following Dale Earnhardt's fatal accident in February 2001, Harvick was forced to instantaneously evolve from a gradually introduced prospect into NASCAR's saving grace. The industry had never been dealt a lower blow, and Harvick was summoned to lift the entire NASCAR family and its legions of mourners up off the canvas.

Harvick has only two top-10s so far in 2002.

Despite a remarkable season, including a pair of wins and a ninth-place finish in the championship standings, the pressure of driving the hallowed Goodwrench Chevrolet was unrelenting.

It still is.

"The shadow's big," said Harvick, referring to Earnhardt's looming presence over his team, and the industry. "I understand what he meant to our sport and our race team. But it's hard. If you're doing something really bad -- he's done it. If you're doing something really good -- he's done it. If you win races -- he's done it.

"It doesn't really matter what you do, the shadow's always there. It's hard to put even your foot outside that shadow. It's as big now as it's ever been."

Rusty Wallace, long one of Earnhardt's closest confidants, has supported Harvick from day one. But he knows that others aren't so accepting.

"I think that people still look at the car as Dale's car, and by God nobody better disrespect Dale's car," Wallace said. "Because of that, there's definitely a lot of eyes on that car. I think a lot people said, 'Okay Kevin, we know you're a good driver. But this is the 3 car, and by God you better not screw nothing up.'

"If he was with another team, I don't think they'd feel that way. It's a hell of an honor to drive that particular car. Some of those tough things go along with it."

A tumultuous 2002 campaign has done little to ease the tension. Having completed one of the most remarkable seasons -- much less rookie seasons -- in NASCAR history, Harvick entered this year ranked on everyone's short list of championship contenders.

But incessant bad luck, coupled with a short temper, have resulted in a disappointing first half.

"At this point we've written off racing for the championship," said Harvick, lounging on a leather bench in his motor home at Lowe's Motor Speedway. "Our attitude, as far as the rest of the year, is to go out and win the race.

"We've wrecked four times and blown up twice. We don't have six DNF's on the record, but basically we have six DNFs that are accounted for and we've only raced 10 times. We've got that one DNS, too."

Did not start. Say those words, and Harvick turns philosophical. In 2001, some viewed his relentless driving style as a feeble attempt to keep "The Intimidator" aura intact. Others thought his brash nature was premature, that he hadn't yet earned the right to speak his mind so freely.

"The controversy and stuff has always been there for me. It's just part of the things that come with the way I drive," Harvick said. "I just kind of tell it how I feel, and that's not always the most politically correct way to do things.

"I've always been a firm believer if you feel something and don't say it, it's a copout. Sometimes it gets me trouble, but I always feel I need to speak my mind."

His willingness to voice his opinion in the Craftsman Truck Series event at Martinsville Speedway resulted in a life-changing event for the young driver. NASCAR disallowed his participation in the Winston Cup event the following day -- an unprecedented penalty from the sanctioning body.

"I don't know that my attitude was out of control. I think I was a lot more vocal with NASCAR than I probably needed to be," Harvick said. "If I sat here and told you that didn't teach me anything, I'd be being a punk.

"Every person in this world goes through a moment in their life where they have a life-changing experience. That was one of those moments in my life.

"This is something I've worked for since I was five years old -- to race NASCAR Winston Cup. This isn't something I need to piss away in one instance."

While his on-track experience has been frustrating, Harvick finds solace and stability at home. His wife, DeLana, is the daughter of a racer, and understands well the pressure created by her husband's demanding schedule.

"I think, probably after Martinsville, there was a fork in the road and he could go one way or another," DeLana said. "He could've let that influence everything away from the track, too.

"But we decided it just wasn't worth it. We're lucky. We're healthy, and we have one another. What happens at the racetrack is a smart part of who we are."

At present, it seems Dale Earnhardt will forever be a part of Kevin Harvick's makeup. No matter how bad he'd like to step outside that shadow, he'll always be the man who replaced NASCAR's most beloved figure.

"I don't think we'll ever be disassociated from it," Harvick said. "Obviously, Dale helped build RCR and helped build this sport to where it is today. I like to be my own person. I've always been my own person. It's hard for me to take and understand how big the situation really is."

"It's a tough deal, and we talked about that before he ever got in this car after Daytona -- how tough it was going to be," said team owner Richard Childress. "I think it's been a little tougher than he, or I, thought, but I think he's handling it well."

Rumors have surfaced of late that Harvick isn't handling it so well, that in fact it was troubling him so badly that he was contemplating an exit from RCR. Harvick denies the speculation, and said his relationship with Childress is strong.

"There's a lot of stuff that's flying around and that's gonna happen when things start in Silly Season," Harvick said. "But Richard and I sat down and talked about it, addressed the situation. We're on the same page, and going in the same direction. My contract goes through the end of next year, and all that stuff needs to be put to bed."

Sure, they have disagreements at times. But considering the circumstances that united them, Harvick and Childress have a unique bond that goes far beyond the garage or the track.

"It's a double edged sword," DeLana said. "It's flattering, because Dale Earnhardt was the greatest race car driver ever. But on the same token, Kevin deserves his own career and own accomplishments. That's been the hardest part.

"He could have very well said no back in February, but that's not the kind of person he is. He knew Richard needed him, and he wasn't about to let a friend down."