The team will convert from Toyota to Chevrolet next season, after driver Justin Lofton drove a #6 ESR Chevrolet purchased from Kevin Harvick, Inc., last weekend at Chicagoland Speedway. Horsepower is expected to come from Earnhardt Childress Racing Engines, with an additional technical alliance with Richard Childress Racing.
“I have obtained majority ownership of #8 and #33 teams from KHI,” confirmed Sharp this morning. “We will make all our announcements about drivers and sponsors in the near future, but the plan at present is for us to run three trucks next season.”
The teams will operate out of ESR's current 40,000 square-foot facility in Denver, N.C. "The timing couldn't have been any more perfect," said Sharp today. "We are ready to take this opportunity head-on, to utilize what Kevin and DeLana (Harvick) have built. It was a marriage made in heaven, because we were ready to move forward at ESR, and this opportunity worked out perfectly. With KHI, you have a turnkey, successful program at the ready."
Lofton has driven Sharp's #6 truck to 19th place in Camping World Truck Series points, 57 out of the Top 12.
It always intrigues me when teams operate out of a facility outside of North Carolina—that must make operation extra difficult, in an already volatile industry. I’ve closely watched KHI expand into today’s impressive operation, and truly respect what Kevin and DeLana have accomplished. I was slightly bummed when the new broke of them selling the company. It seemed KHI was on track to be a mainstay in the Nationwide, destined for multiple championships.
ReplyDeleteGood luck to the new owners, please keep the integrity and brand the Harvick’s have created!