Harvick races without ill crew chief Martin

KANSAS CITY, Kan. -- Kevin Harvick competed in Sunday's Protection One 400 without crew chief Gil Martin, who flew home to Concord, N.C., on Saturday after being diagnosed with acute bronchitis.

	Gil Martin (left with Kevin Harvick) flew home Saturday after being diagnosed with acute bronchitis, a condition he has suffered with all week. Credit: Autostock

A triumvirate of Richard Childress Racing personnel, including the car owner, took over the job of calling the race for the 2001 Raybestos Rookie of the Year. Car chief Scott Naset and RCR Busch Series crew chief Butch Hylton assisted Childress.

Early in the race, Harvick had one of the dominant cars, leading twice for 48 of the first 94 laps of the 267-lap event.

Harvick was either second or third from the time he lost the lead to Dale Earnhardt Jr. until after lap 200, but lost a lap on a long green flag run and ended up 11th, a lap down to winner Jeff Gordon.

Martin, 36, had battled the condition all last week but still directed Harvick to a 26th-place starting position.

Childress said he expected Martin to return for next weekend's EA Sports 500 at Talladega Superspeedway.

"We'd rather have Gil go home and get better so that he's ready and healthy for the remainder of the season," Childress said. "It was a decision we all talked about and we look forward to seeing him back next week."