DeLana Harvick’s Advice for Women in Business: Be Who You Are
DeLana Harvick, co-owner of Kevin Harvick, Inc., was recently recognized as an extraordinary businesswoman and for her outstanding contributions to her profession by The Business Journal at their 12th annual Women in Business Awards ceremony.
While Harvick was flattered, as well as surprised to be counted in such great company, she shared just one piece of advice to all women in business, “Be who you are.”
“Honestly, it caught me off guard,” Harvick said of her award. “I was really honored to be included in such an impressive group of women.”
“When I got there, I really enjoyed learning about all the other accomplishments that these fourteen women had made in their lives,” Harvick continued. “Accolades and awards, it’s not that they don’t mean much to me, they do. But in order to be included in such an impressive group actually means more to me.”
“The awards are really flattering, but I would say to anyone, just be you,” Harvick said. “Be who you are.”
Harvick was nominated for the award by UNC Greensboro, where she graduated from college. She was specifically honored for turning a negative, the wearing of the fire suit issue, into a positive, using the controversy to develop a T-shirt which raised money for charity.
Harvick’s role in the sport of NASCAR was also honored, particularly as a female team owner in a primarily male-dominated sport.
“To me, I grew up in the sport so I never really viewed this as a male-dominated sport,” Harvick said. “Clearly it has been in the past, but in the last ten years or so you can see the impact that women have had in the sport from the business side and even women engineers and drivers.”
“This was where I was going to be whether it was male-dominated or not.”
Harvick has indeed been involved in the sport, growing up in fact as the only daughter of a racer. Her father, John Paul Linville, was a contractor by profession but a racer by passion, sinking all of his earnings into his race car and shop.
“When I grew up and my dad raced in the Nationwide/Late Model Sportsman/Busch Grand National Series, we didn’t have a lot of money,” Harvick said. “My dad was a contractor and what he was able to put into the racing is what he made. There were no sponsors so I really learned a whole different side of the business based on how I grew up in the sport.”
“I spotted for my dad and I did the travel,” Harvick continued. “I learned by just having to do.”
“I’m a doer and I think that has played a big part into why Kevin and I and KHI are successful because we both grew up that way,” Harvick said. “We both had to do things and were not handed things.”
Before KHI was even a glimmer in anyone’s eyes, however, DeLana Harvick as she was growing up wanted to be a racer herself.
“Growing up I always envisioned myself racing,” Harvick said. “But my dad was a very old-school, Southern kind of guy. Women didn’t do that at the time.”
“My dad was quite surprised with my level of determination about racing,” Harvick continued. “I definitely didn’t grow up the Southern belle that I think he may have wanted. So, I pushed and pushed and pushed but it just wasn’t something that he was willing let me do.”
“Our deal was that if I graduated college, he would get me a car,” Harvick said. “Well, he got me a chassis so I had to build me a car and that took, between trying to work and everything else, a couple of years after I graduated.”
“And at that point, I had met Kevin and really my life was in a different place,” Harvick continued. “So, it just never worked out for me.”
“I did run a late model and my dad and Kevin were both there at the time,” Harvick said. “But I don’t think either one of them could have taken it with their nerves. They just couldn’t bear it.”
“It never worked out and that’s okay,” Harvick said. “I think it was probably meant to be.”
Rather than being behind the wheel, Harvick graduated college and went to work interning at Performance PR Plus. She shadowed the staff who handled Jeff Gordon’s public relations at the height of the Gordon frenzy which she acknowledges was a great learning experience.
“I think that has served me well and I think I’ve probably gained the respect of people in this sport,” Harvick said. “I started out in PR so I certainly knew a lot of the media at that time. But I also knew a lot of the crew members, owners, and drivers because I had grown up in the sport.”
In addition to her mother and father, Harvick also credits role model, mentor and friend Richard Childress as one of the most important influences in her life.
“Richard (Childress) has been a very, very integral part of what Kevin and I have done,” Harvick said. “He’s always had the door open.”
“He could have easily have seen this as a distraction for Kevin but he hasn’t,” Harvick continued. “Richard has embraced everything that we’ve done and for that we have truly been fortunate.”
Harvick says that her other role models have been her parents, both of whom she admires for their passion and determination, especially after her father’s diagnosis of cancer when she was a young girl.
“When I was twelve, my dad was diagnosed with a very rare form of cancer and they told him he only had six months to live,” Harvick said. “Well, he lived for over twenty years.”
“So, I think that spirit of pushing forward no matter what the challenges are, whether an illness or not having as much money as the guy parked next to you in the pits, is just to continue to press forward,” Harvick continued. “I learned so much from my dad in that aspect that really helped me in everything that I do.”
Although Harvick’s father passed away in November 2005, she is still quite close with her mother, who lives nearby her home and the race shop.
“While my dad went through his treatment, my mother had to work in order to support the family,” Harvick said. “I actually had gone to NC State for school and then came home because I had to take my dad to treatments while my mom worked.”
“I really admire my mom’s strength,” Harvick continued. “She is way more outgoing and fun-loving than I am. I’m more straightforward and focused like my dad. I admire that about her.”
Harvick has also learned from her parents, as well as through her own experience, that dealing with challenges is one of life’s most important lessons. She also credits having supports around her as a key element to her success.
“I have good days and bad days and some turn out better than others,” Harvick said. “You have to surround yourself with good people and come to the realization that you cannot do it all.”
What’s next for this accomplished woman, who has not only built her own career but also a thriving race team business?
“A lot of people assume that Cup has to be the next step,” Harvick said. “That’s interesting to me and I certainly believe that KHI has built a foundation that could support that.”
“Whether that happens or not, I don’t know,” Harvick continued. “I believe it has to be the right situation and the right time and place. And certainly sponsorship plays a huge part in that.”
“More than anything I think KHI solidifies our place in the sport,” Harvick said. “At some point when Kevin stops driving, and he will, we still have an avenue to be involved in a sport that we’re both passionate about.”
“So, I think that’s what I’m most proud of,” Harvick said. “You have to live out your dreams and do what makes you happy and what you’re passionate about, because you only get a chance to do this once.”
Dover is over, with the stars set to shine this Saturday night
Dover was all about two drivers, at least for much of it. Jimmie Johnson and Carl Edwards. They took turns taking the lead, at least they did until Clint Bowyer joined the party. Round and round they went, three cars, Bowyer, Edwards, and Johnson, one destined to be the victor at Dover. Then came a caution with 35 laps to go, and what was was no longer. This script underwent a complete rewrite quicker than an upcoming episode of Two and a Half Men. Charlie was gone, along with Clint, Carl, and Jimmie, and a new cast of characters led the parade.
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[/media-credit]After the caution, and thanks to a two tire stop, Matt Kenseth was the one in a rocket. He charged to the front and went on to take his 20th career Cup victory with nary a challenger. It would appear what happened in Vegas did not need to stay there, but could migrate to the Monster Mile. For Kenseth, it marked his second win of the season, and placed him 6th in the standings. Things are looking good for the 39-year old former champ.
52-year old Mark Martin has yet to win a title and never did visit the pits for new rubber when most of the rest did. He saved a few bucks and gained a bunch of positions, moving from 14th to first by staying out, and only allowing Kenseth to make the pass. That pit strategy now has him sitting 11th on the leaderboard, just four points, four positions, on the outside looking in. It would seem the only way to keep Martin out of the season’s Top Twenty is to leave him sitting for ten races a season. He may already have the rocking chair, but it doesn’t appear to be using it quite yet.
As for the trio who had their run of the place until near the end, Bowyer, Edwards, and Johnson finished 6th, 7th, and 9th. Their cars looked pretty fancy with their near new four Goodyears, but the decision to slip on those four skins, to the surprise of many, slipped them out of a shot to win. Johnson actually led more than half the 400 circuits. Oh, well, they all looked pretty sporty, just not over the final 35 miles.
This is a week for a good ole Canadian boy to celebrate. My Mom turned 75, while Saturday sees my brother Grant turning 52, the in-laws celebrating their 53rd anniversary, my boys playing in a Midget baseball tournament, and the stars of NASCAR in Charlotte for the all-star race. All this on a long weekend we Canucks refer to as Victoria Day. Hey, when a lady is Queen for 63 years (1837 – 1901) she should get her own special day.
Her grandmother, the wife of King George III, is the namesake for the city that will be hosting NASCAR’s feature race on Saturday. For 27 years they have ran this classic event at Charlotte, with Darrell Waltrip the first winner back in 1985. Three time winners include Dale Earnhardt and Jeff Gordon, with Mark Martin and Jimmie Johnson set to join them should good fortune smile their way on Saturday. Kurt Busch is the defending champion, with four other active drivers looking for their second trip to Victory Lane, including Matt Kenseth.
Whomever claims the million bucks this weekend, I expect we will be royally entertained.
Matt Kenseth – The Gambler
Just to look at Matt Kenseth, he’d be the last guy you’d think would be a gambler. Kenseth’s reputation is of the professional. Kenseth makes no waves. He goes out and does his job and usually finishes well. He wins races, but he’s never been accused of being a dirty driver. He’s been compared to David Pearson in how he saves his equipment and is there at the end to steal a victory. Such was the case on Sunday.
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[/media-credit]The Fed Ex 400 looked to be a race between points leader Carl Edwards, Jimmie Johnson, and Clint Bowyer. They had dominated the race, leading 353 of the 361 laps run until Juan Pablo Montoya spun and brought out a caution with the 39 laps left. Kenseth made a little suggestion to car owner Jack Roush that maybe they should take on two tires instead of the customary four. Apparently Roush and crew chief Jimmy Fenning agreed and two tries it was. The result was Mark Martin, who had also gambled, was the only car ahead of Kenseth. It only took two laps for Kenseth to pass Martin and from then on he drove to a two-second lead and the win.
In the meantime, the terrific trio of Edwards, Bowyer and Johnson were mired back in the pack and they didn’t make enough moves to get anywhere near the front. Most blamed it on the slick track, but it was good strategy. Kenseth said that those things haven’t worked lately for the team, but he won the jackpot in that gamble.
It had to be satisfying for the No. 17 team for several reasons. Kenseth is widely considered the reason for the Chase system. A former Sprint Cup champion, Kenseth won only one race in his championship year. After that, the playoff system was born and Kenseth, though he has only missed one Chase, was considered a non-factor, making many say that he wasn’t a true champion. Despite his many wins over the years, he goes pretty much unnoticed in races, even though he always finishes at or near the top of the final standings. I once sat in front of a group of Kenseth fans who constantly complained that the only place they could find any souvenirs was at a race track. The lack of Kenseth supporters is common most places on the Sprint Cup tour. That may change this year.
Kenseth already has won two races this year. That puts him in good shape to be in contention for a wild card slot in the Chase if he should falter and have bad luck in the 16 races remaining before the final playoff. Also factor in the fact that Ford is back. After several seasons of watching Hendrick Motorsports and Richard Childress Chevrolets and Joe Gibbs Toyotas dominate the series, the blue oval has been very competitive. In fact, teammate Edwards has been very good and on this day, Richard Petty Motorsports’ Marcos Ambrose was competitive all day, finishing third.
So Matt Kenseth might not be flashy or a media darling like Dale Junior or Jeff Gordon, but he proved to be a gambler Sunday at Dover. And like any good gambler, he won the bet. The old saying goes that nice guys finish last. That might not be the case in 2011.
An Up-And-Down Weekend For Matt Crafton
They always say that you’ll have ups and downs in racing, but most times they don’t come in the same weekend. However, for Matt Crafton who competed in both the Lucas Oil 200 and the Menards 200 this weekend, that was the case.
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[/media-credit]On Friday afternoon, Crafton drove his No. 88 Menards/Chevrolet to a third place finish in the Lucas Oil 200 at Dover International Speedway in the Camping World Truck Series.
“At the beginning of the race, I couldn’t fire off and I was really, really loose,” Crafton said. “But at the end of the run, we’d be one of the best trucks on the race track.”
Crafton qualified 10th, worked his way through the field fighting loose conditions to his sixth top-10 in 11 races at Dover to take over the points lead.
“It’s great to be the points leader,” Crafton continued. “We just need to keeping doing what we’re doing and running top five every week and having these top three finishes and throw a couple of wins off and see where we are at Homestead.”
Then on Sunday, Crafton competed in the ARCA Series Menards 200 at Toledo Speedway, where he finished 17th after having a left front tire blow.
“I joked with Bud at the end of the race that maybe we’ve gotten all of our bad luck out of the way for the year with this race,” Crafton said with a smile. “This was a pretty good car, it was tight in the middle, but nothing to worry me about the tires. The irony is, that car was running fantastic after the tire blew and I came in. Unfortunately, we didn’t have enough cautions to give us the Lucky Dog twice to put us back on the lead lap.”
Crafton started the day 24th after the field was lined up based on owner points, though worked his way to the top five by lap 63. At that time, he chose to pit for tires, which set him back to the 20th position. Crafton, however, worked his way back to the lead in 14 laps before the left front blew at lap 135.
“It’s fun to get a chance to come back and race in the ARCA Racing Series as part of my partnership with Menards,” he continued. “I would have loved to pull out a win for my sponsor today. We had the strategy and team to do it. The Menards 200 is a great celebration of what Menards does with their stores in this area. It was great to see Frank Kimmel running well in his Menards car as well for a while there. We’re looking forward to racing again in Indianapolis at the ARCA Racing Series. Thanks also to Frank and his team for fielding this car for us.”
The next Camping World Truck Series race for Crafton is next Friday night at Charlotte Motor Speedway for the North Carolina Education Lottery 200. Crafton’s had success at Charlotte as he won the race in 2008.
The next ARCA Racing Series race for Crafton is the Ansell Protective Gloves 200 at Lucas Oil Speedway on July 28th.
Ed Carpenter Leads Opening Weekend of Practice for Indianapolis 500
While Sunday was a wash out due to rain, practice for the Indianapolis 500 did begin on Saturday.
The day was cut short by 45 minutes due to showers, but it was Ed Carpenter who topped the chart at a lap of 224.786 mph (40.0380 seconds) for Sarah Fisher Racing.
“It’s only day one, but it’s really exciting to see hard work pay off and see progress,” he said. “We’re going to have to keep up the effort because it’s a long week heading into qualifying, but I definitely like the start that we’re off to.”
The Indianapolis 500 will mark Carpenter’s first event of the season, and also the first event for Sarah Fisher Racing with the No. 67.
“I was really proud of the boys for starting the month off with little to no error,” Fisher said. “It was a bonus for Ed to top the charts, but we know we still have a lot more work to accomplish. For this being our first race of the season, we know we have to hit the ground running, and to see the team gelling already is a great testament to our people.”
Fisher announced her retirement last November as she wants to start a family with her husband, Andy O’Gara. Their first child is due September 29th.
“I’m out of racing shape, that’s for sure,” she said, “I had to stop working out in October, and they don’t make maternity seat belts. But I’m very happy. It is an exciting time, especially to have Ed Carpenter driving for us because he is the perfect fit. He matches the brand, and no doubt that he has a strong performance record here at Indy. So I’m excited about the Race Day and the 100th Anniversary in general.”
Scott Dixon, 2008 race winner, was second with a lap of 224.491 mph (40.0907 seconds).
“Today was short and sweet, as we only turned four laps at speed,” he said. “Always great to be back at IMS. Team Target prepped the cars to their usual high standard. Early days, but I can’t wait to get back in the car tomorrow.”
JR Hildebrand, who topped the Rookie Orientation Program on May 12th, was third.
“We’re really happy with how the day went,” Hildebrand said. “I probably could have pulled off an even better lap there, but for me it’s still a matter of understanding what I’m expecting to happen compared to what is actually going to happen when I’m out there. The National Guard car felt good, and we didn’t have anything out of the ordinary, and we understand it’s going to be a whole different gig when there are a bunch of different cars out there, as that creates a lot more turbulent air.
“Thankfully, through Rookie Orientation and again today we’ve been able to make positive steps every time by making small steps every time. If we can keep up the pace of what we’re doing, then it should be positive as we continue to move forward.”
Last year’s winner Dario Franchitti was fourth while 2006 race runner-up Marco Andretti was fifth.
“It was a good shakedown of the No. 10t Target car,” Franchitti said. “Both Scott Dixon and I seemed to have good speed right away, but the real work starts on Monday.”
“It felt really good to get back in the car here in Indy,” Andretti said. “We focused today on getting a few laps in the T car, and tomorrow we’ll move to our primary car. Hopefully we won’t need the T car again, but it’s nice to know where it stands, just in case. I think the Venom team has potential to be strong this month. We’ve typically run well here and have come close to winning a couple times. This would be a great year to get the job done.”
2009 runner-up Victor Meira was seventh quickest on the speed chart.
“I think we are cautiously excited,” Meira said. “There’s still a lot to do. We’re still slower than what it will take in qualifying, but the car is good, it’s fast. We did get a draft, but even without the draft, we’re pretty competitive in our times, so we’re excited. It’s the first day, but I think we started the right way and we just have to maintain and improve on what we had today.”
Other notables include Paul Tracy, who was 11th, and Danica Patrick, who was12th.
“I thought we had a solid run today,” Patrick said. “The ‘T’ car did great today, so we hope the primary car will run just as well. The Go Daddy team is off to a positive start for May.”
2004 race winner Buddy Rice was 14th quickest. This is the first time Rice has hit the Indianapolis Motor Speedway since 2008.
“I feel good, and I’m happy to be back. Everything is going pretty well,” Rice said. “I’m excited to be back here. I wanted to make sure I’d be in good equipment, and the Panther crew has run really well here recently. It’s a great opportunity for me. I’m excited for the centennial. The centennial only comes around once, and there won’t be anything like this for quite a long time, so I’m glad to be a part of it.”
Dropping the green on practice for Saturday was Indianapolis Mayor Greg Ballard.
“They were side by side by side by side like a front row coming down the straightaway,” Ballard said. “It was a lot of fun. I will leave Race Day (start) in the hands of the professionals.
“We’re very lucky to be here for the 100th anniversary because a lot of people are going to be reminiscing about all the events that have gone on before here. Also we have the new chassis to look forward to. And there is a lot of excitement as to what the new cars will look like.
“This is a great time to celebrate the Indianapolis Motor Speedway and the longevity of this race going forward. I always tell people around the world that there is nothing like the month of May in Indianapolis, and I mean that. This is an unbelievable month that really brings the city together. Everybody enjoys it. It’s a great event on Race Day, and they memorialize those veterans who did not come back from serving this county. Obviously, the Speedway does it right.”
Meanwhile, Sunday consisted of drivers speaking of Indianapolis 500 memories among other topics.
“It’s unfortunate for us and for the fans that the rain kept us from getting on track today,” Points Leader Will Power said. “The No. 12 Verizon Team Penske guys worked a bit late yesterday afternoon taking the engine out of our T car and putting it in our race car. We were planning on shaking that car down today and then getting started on our process. We will be ready to go tomorrow, and I am excited to get on track and get the Verizon car up to speed.”
ARCA: Ty Dillon Spins Frank Kimmel For Win in Menards 200
Frank Kimmel looked to have the win in hand in the Menards 200 at Toledo Speedway, though it all got thrown away as Ty Dillon spun Kimmel on the last lap to take the win.
“It was an awesome day,” Dillon said. “As soon as we unloaded, I felt like we had the fastest car for sure. We even cut short our practice, and I don’t like to do that, but we knew we had the fastest car. Our pit crew did awesome. I went in fifth and came out second. We came in, tightened up, and she took off.”
Dillon was met in victory lane by Kimmel, who expressed his displeasure in taking the checkered flag from Dillon’s hand and throwing it to the ground.
“I was approaching behind him for a long time there, probably 40 or 50 laps,” Dillon said. “I was being as patient as I can. We came up on some lapped cars, and he was starting to get loose; I was getting in deeper and deeper. My car was getting better and better.
“I hate that it happened that way. I wrecked him. It was my fault, but it’s racing. Stuff like that happens. I really look up to Frank and he’s helped me out a lot this year. Hopefully, we can get over this and everything will be alright.”
Dillon got the fourth win of his career while the spin resulted in Kimmel finishing ninth.
“I wasn’t blocking or doing anything; I was just running my lap,” Kimmel said. “He just hit me wherever he could and then he got me in the left rear corner and ran me around. It’s just frustrating as heck. You race so hard, and you race clean, and we didn’t have a scratch on the car all day.
“I just asked him, ‘How can you celebrate a win like that?’ It’ll come back. It’s a long season, and we have to race all year.”
In the aftermath, Enfinger finished second.
“We had a great car all weekend,” Enfinger said. “(Car chief) Kelly Kovski and (team owner) Mike Allgaier, I can’t thank those guys enough for letting me drive their car. It’s definitely one of the best cars I’ve driven. It was a great run. The pit crew’s been great all year; that’s definitely not been our weak point, but they just happened to leave a lug nut loose and we had to come back down pit road and that hurt us a little bit.
Matt Merrell finished third, followed by Tim George Jr., Chris Buescher, John Stancil, CHad McCumbee, Armstrong, Kimmel and Kenzi Ruston.
With qualifying rained out, Milka Duno was able to start on the pole as she holds the points in the owner’s standings from Patrick Sheltra’s championship run last year.
The race started with 20 laps under caution due to rain before the race and impending rain coming. Duno dropped back at the start, giving the lead to Kimmel.
Once the green flag was shown on lap 21, Kimmel held for a lap before Kenzi Ruston, who was making her first ARCA start with Venturini Motorsports, took the lead.
The first caution came at lap 26 for Todd Bowsher’s spin, who was subbing for Bryan Silas.
The second caution came out on lap 37 for a multi-car crash which started when Ruston spun out of the lead in turn two. Behind her while trying to slow down and avoid, Tom Hessert, Tim George Jr. and Chris Buescher made contact. With Ruston spinning, Kimmel took the lead back.
The third caution came out at lap 58, when Buescher and Maryeve Dufault made contact with Tim Cowen hitting Dufault. At this time, Ruston and Matt Crafton pitted to try to get a jump on strategy.
The restart came on lap 67, and then 11 laps later, Enfinger took the lead while Dillon cracked the top five for the first time.
On lap 110, the caution came out as Cowen spun, which promoted another round of pit stops. The leaders pitted, while Crafton and Ruston stayed out to take positions first and second. Kimmel and Dillon came off pit road first so they restarted third and fourth.
On lap 120, the fifth caution came out when Levi Youster spun, in which on the restart, Kimmel was able to take the lead from Crafton. Crafton had to make an unscheduled pit stop at lap 135 due to a left front tre, while Enfinger also made an unscheduled stop for a loose lugnut. The unscheduled pit stop for Crafton relegated him to an 18th place finish.
Milka Duno spun on lap 180, setting up a 20-lap race to the finish. On the restart, Kimmel got the advantage on the field, though Dillon slowly chipped back into the lead, making the final lap bump-and-run.
The ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards returns to action Sunday, May 22, in the ModSpace 150 at New Jersey Motorsports Park. The race is the only road course event of the season for the ARCA Racing Series.
