HardcoreRaceFans.com has just learned that Kevin Harvick has requested to be released from his contract with Richard Childress Racing (RCR) at the end of this season. Sports Illustrated is reporting that Harvick would like to join Stewart-Haas Racing.

Tony Stewart has stated that the team would like to add a third car next year and with Harvick’s sponsorship contract with Shell/Pennzoil ending this year he believes it would be a good time to switch teams.

Harvick’s contract with Richard Childress Racing still has one more year left and so far RCR has not commented on Harvick’s request.

Harvick got his chance to race in the Sprint Cup Series following Dale Earnhardt’s death in February 2001. Harvick took over Earnhardt’s team and the famed No. 3 was changed to the No. 29. Richard Childress Racing is the only team Harvick has driven for in the Sprint Cup Series.

Harvick has started his own organization, Kevin Harvick Inc., which fields two trucks in the Camping World Truck Series and a Nationwide Series Car. So far he has not mentioned plans to add any Sprint Cup Series cars to his stable.

HardcoreRaceFans.com will post updates regarding this situation as they become available.

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