Speculation Over: Harvick Signs Multi-Year Deal To Remain With Stewart Haas Racing

                                         Photo: Sarah Stierch

Stewart-Haas Racing put NASCAR’s latest “rumor that will not die” to bed today, announcing that former Sprint Cup champion Kevin Harvick has signed a long-term contract extension to remain with the organization. 

Harvick’s status has been the subject of widespread speculation since SHR announced earlier this year that they will join the Ford camp in 2017, ending a longstanding technological partnership with Chevrolet and Hendrick Motorsports. 

Despite repeated denials, various media outlets have continued to report – as recently as yesterday – that Harvick would leave the team at season’s end to remain in the Chevrolet camp. The 2014 Sprint Cup Series champion reacted angrily to those reports, Tweeting yesterday that they originated from a “bunch of people who make $%& up. 

“Let's play a game,” he tweeted. “What has better information about things I do? Media sources (or) my direct social account.”  

Today, Harvick said he is “very happy to have my future secure with a team so dedicated to winning. It was a big decision to join Stewart-Haas Racing and it has turned out to be my best decision. I came to Stewart-Haas Racing to win championships. We have one, but that only made us hungry for more.” 

“Kevin’s results speak for themselves,” said SHR co-owner Tony Stewart. “He brings a presence to our team that makes everyone want to work harder. Kevin Harvick has made Stewart-Haas Racing a better team and he will continue to be an integral part of our future.” 

Harvick has 32 career Sprint Cup victories, nine of them in his 83-race tenure with SHR.  

Crew chief Rodney Childers signed a multi-year contract extension last June.