Kevin is one of the most prominent figures in the professional stock car racing. The American racer is the most proficient driver who earns handsomely through various prizes. At the NASCAR he is one of the dominant participants.
In 2001 he won the NASCAR Rookie. Kevin reached the third rank in the list of car racers in 2004. Kevin owns a racing team, who also venture into the Camping World Series.
He had also shown his efficacy at the Phoenix International Raceway.
In 2009 he surpassed all to get hold of Camping World Truck Series and the race by Bristol. In 2015 Kevin won the ESPY best driver award. He is the among the most highly paid NASCAR drivers who had earned most conveniently. So far Kevin has gathered not less than $120 million dollars as his estimated net worth.
Early life
Kevin was born as Kevin Michael Harvick on 8th December 1975 in Bakersfield, California, United States of America. Kevin was born to JoNell and Mike. He grew up with his only sister Amber. After clearing his kindergarten as a gift, he got a go-kart. After that in the go-cart arena, he made considerable progress winning Grand National Championship twice and registered National Championship seven times. In his days at the high school, he participated in the NASCAR Featherlite Southwest Series. Kevin’s father was a firefighter build Kevin’s first car to appear at the lower NASCAR Series.
He was enrolled at the North High School in Bakersfield. During his schooling, he used to play basketball, football, baseball, and soccer. With an idea of majoring in architecture, Kevin got in at Bakersfield College but did not continue to afford full-time racing.
Career
In 1995 Kevin entered Mesa Marin Raceway in the hometown to make his debut in the Craftsman Truck Series and finished 27th with the No.72 family car. In the first year itself, the racing ability is praised by NASCAR Featherlite Southwest Series Rookie of the year. Within few season he improved and started finishing ahead of his own timings with Spear Motorsports and No.75 car. In 1997 he had started NASCAR Grand National Division and AutoZone West Series.
He also won five races before getting into the Winston West Series. It was in the Tucson Raceway Park 1997-98 winter when he got in the NASCAR Winter Heat Series he got the real exposure through the ESPN2 coverage. In 1999 he made his first appearance in the NASCAR Busch Series. Next year with Richard Childress Racing in the Chevrolet No.2 car made an impressive season. Gradually he started participating in the all the major races.
In the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Kevin got into his car for 547 races during his 16 years of driving. He drove for the first time in 2001 Dura Lube 400 at Rockingham and in the first year itself made his first victory in the Cracker Barrel Old Country Store 500 which took place in the Atlanta. During the entire career at the NASCAR, he proved himself to be one of the most competent car racers on the list. On the other hand at the NASCAR Xfinity Series in the tenure of 16 years, he made 331 appearances. For the record, he made his debut in the Xfinity at the Rockingham in 1999 Kmart 200. He waited for a year to make his first win at the Gateway in the 2000 Carquest Auto Parts 250.
Kevin has achieved a lot during this long period and would be remembered in the later days for his terrific performances in various competitions. He won the Busch Series in 2001. In 2002 he got better of all in the IROC race. 2003 made him the Brickyard 400 winner. Then for some time, no major race win came along his way. The after finishing the Busch Series ahead of all in 2006 he proved his superiority in the Daytona 500 and NEXTEL All-Star Challenge in 2007. Then from 2009 onwards he made several wins in the Sprint Unlimited, Coca-Cola 600 and Sprint Cup Series.
In 2014 he won the Bojangles’ Southern 500. Kevin made the most impressive race at the Phoenix International Raceway where he remained the winner for 4 consecutive races during 2013 till 2015. In 2001 he got Winston Cup Series Rookie of the year. The same year he was also awarded Busch Series Rookie of the year and Most Popular Driver. In 2015 he got ESPY Best Driver Award.
Personal life
In 2000 Kevin met DeLana Linville at the Michigan International Speedway where she was acting for Randy LaJoie to facilitate public relation. The daughter of Busch Series, John Paul Linville had also tried her hand in the race got in close with Kevin. The couple decided to marry which they did on 28th February 2001. Kevin is staying at Charlotte with his wife and son Keelan. DeLana is the co-owner of a sports management group.
She is also seen around Kevin’s pit box in various races. Kevin has come up on the MTV Cribs and several television talk shows. Kevin has created with his wife Kevin Harvick Foundation the purpose of the program is to help the underprivileged children all around the United States.
Quick summary:
Full Name: Kevin Michael Harvick
Date of Birth: 8th December 1975
Birth Place: Bakersfield, California, United States of America
Age: 42 Years Old
Profession: Race Car Driver
Height: 5 Feet 10 Inches / 1.78 m
Weight: 79 Kg / 175 lb
Net worth: $120 Million