Kevin Harvick Inc. and RCR Merge in Nationwide Series

*Official NASCAR.com Press Release*

WELCOME, N.C. -- Richard Childress Racing and Kevin Harvick Inc. have reached agreement on a collaborative effort that will have KHI's current Nationwide Series program merge with RCR beginning in 2012.

Credit to NASCAR.com

The decision is the coming together of the best of the two organizations. KHI will continue to be involved on the business and competition sides with RCR and KHI co-owner Kevin Harvick will still be very active in the Nationwide Series program. The No. 2 and No. 33 teams will continue with drivers Elliott Sadler (No. 2 Chevrolet) and a combination of RCR's Sprint Cup Series drivers in the No. 33 Chevrolet. The merger will benefit KHI's current sponsors with increased resources and business-to-business opportunities.

"KHI and RCR have worked together very closely over the last several years," Kevin Harvick said. "DeLana and I are fortunate that Richard has always been supportive of KHI over the last 10 years. We feel like this merger will benefit our on-track performance as well as provide our sponsors with more opportunity off track. We will still be very involved and are excited about the Nationwide team's new direction."

RCR and KHI have enjoyed more than a decade of success in the Nationwide Series. RCR earned 55 victories and five championships from 1999 to 2010, with Harvick responsible for 32 victories and three championships (overall in 2001 and '06, owner-only in 2003 with co-driver Johnny Sauter). KHI has earned 10 victories since beginning its program in 2004.

"A few years ago, Richard Childress Racing moved its NASCAR Nationwide Series efforts to Kevin Harvick Inc. to assist KHI in strengthening its overall program," Richard Childress said. "When Kevin and DeLana decided they were interested in consolidating operations, it made sense to merge our efforts. RCR is committed to the Nationwide Series as part of our overall team and driver development efforts. This move will continue the close collaborative effort RCR and KHI have enjoyed for the past 10 years."