Kevin Harvick Foundation Awards "Happy's Chevy"

Harvick and happy winner Michael Gatz

Christmas came early for one lucky winner on Thursday when Kevin Harvick handed over the keys to a brand-new 2012 Chevrolet Camaro 2SS convertible as part of "Win Happy's Chevy," proceeds from which benefit the Kevin Harvick Foundation.

Michael Gatz, from Elkhorn, Wis., won the Camaro valued at $48,280, and drove it home from the Kevin Harvick Foundation's North Carolina headquarters. Gatz had purchased the winning ticket in the second-annual raffle for which nearly 2,500 tickets were sold at $29 each. Harvick drives the No. 29 Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series.

Proceeds from "Win Happy's Chevy" will be used to further the initiatives of the Kevin Harvick Foundation, whose mission is to enrich the lives of children across the country through programs such as Kevin's Krew, Chase Your Dreams Scholarships and the Kevin Harvick Athletic Scholarship Fund, among others.

"I've driven my share of cool cars over the years, and the Chevrolet Camaro is one of my all-time favorites," Harvick said. "It is a powerful machine that personifies America's passion for fast cars. I am honored to partner with Chevrolet to not only play 'elf' and present Michael this dream car, but also to help many underprivileged children at the same time."

Harvick hand-selected the vehicle's Summit White exterior and gray interior packages. The Camaro also features 21" black-painted aluminum wheels, six-speed manual transmission, V8 engine, high-intensity discharge headlamps with LED halo ring and much more.

"Win Happy's Chevy" marks the final fundraiser of 2012 for the Kevin Harvick Foundation, founded in 2010 by Harvick and his wife, DeLana. This year's multi-pronged efforts raised valuable funds to assist underprivile ged children across the United States.