Harvick OnLine: Top Story: Star Harvick Basks In Rich Racing Life

Star Harvick Basks In Rich Racing Life

Newton, Ia. - Back in the day, before Reese's candy sponsorships and catching the eye of Richard Childress, Kevin Harvick competed as a hobby racer.

The teenage Californian's dream: Turning his avocation into a full-time, full-throttle job.

The far-fetched reality: A NASCAR Nextel Cup Series career, accented handsomely Saturday with a $1 million-plus dividend in The All-Star Challenge at Lowe's Motor Speedway in Concord, N.C.

"We used to race for $600," Harvick told The Des Moines Register on Sunday while signing autographs before driving in the NASCAR Grand National Division Featherlite Coaches 200 at Iowa Speedway.

"To be out there racing for $1 million, it's something you feel pretty lucky to get to do. I'm fortunate it's what I'm paid to do."

The instant millionaire - another time over - became the star attraction in Newton less than 12 hours after cashing in his victory near Charlotte, N.C.

Hundreds of fans assembled early to obtain autographs and formed lines snaking deep toward the grandstands.

Harvick smiled and signed.

"When you do something good, it's always fun," he said.

Rusty Wallace, who arrived late Saturday at his "Signature Series" track, uttered the words "sellout" when discussing Sunday's expectations.

"It looks like we're going to be sold out today, and that's great," Wallace said Sunday morning by his team's garage stall.

Craig Armstrong, the Newton track's vice president and general manager, declared his audience the biggest crowd at the facility during prerace festivities.

Many came for Harvick. Many also showed up to fill the stands for HDNet's cameras, rolling live.

Childress caught an early-morning flight to Newton to keep tabs on his developmental drivers, Ryan Foster and Tim McCreadie - and serve as grand marshal for the ballyhooed event.

"I was a grand marshal years ago at a Minnesota race track," Childress said. "It's pretty cool."

Childress and Harvick both basked in the rich afterglow after the win Saturday night.

Neither slept much.

"About two-and-a-half hours," Childress said.

Eyes and cars popped wide-open by 3 p.m., as NASCAR's Grand National Division roared to life along with the crowd.

But Harvick's eyes narrowed when asked if he came to win.

"I wouldn't come here if I wasn't racing to win," Harvick said. "The race track, it's an awesome facility. Everything is top-notch and first class."

• Read the full story at demoinesregister.com