Ever since the plans were unveiled for a new drag strip in NASCAR's backyard in Concord, N.C., it was just a matter of time before NASCAR drivers would express more interest in the NHRA POWERade Series.
Kevin Harvick, Inc. announced that they will be teaming with Top Fuel driver Bob Vandergriff Jr. in hopes of fielding a car in the class in 2009.
"I think we have a unique opportunity to provide unprecedented reach for companies looking to achieve their objectives through motorsports," Vandergriff said. "As this deal evolves, we want to offer the companies aligned with Harvick-Vandergriff Motorsports the chance to use the best of NHRA and NASCAR through the same program. We'll have the capabilities to provide something no other team can offer.
"I'm extremely excited about this opportunity with Kevin and his wife DeLana. Our ideas of how to market our motorsports programs and our long-term goals are the same."
Vandergriff, who has reached 12 career Top Fuel final rounds, is currently sponsored by UPS, which is heavily involved in NASCAR. UPS, the official delivery company of NASCAR, has sponsored a Cup Series car since 2001 with driver Dale Jarrett and with current pilot David Reutimann.
Along with running the UPS dragster, a team car with another sponsor backing could be huge in helping the Harvick-Vandergriff Motorsports team make the Countdown for the Championship.
"The response from the companies we've spoken to already has been tremendous," Harvick said. "Everyone at Kevin Harvick Incorporated and Richard Childress Racing has become extremely interested with what's happening in the drag racing world through our friendship with Bob. The more we come to understand what is happening in the NHRA series, the more attractive it's becoming as a whole."
Announcements regarding the driver and sponsors will be forthcoming.
This wouldn't be the first time a NASCAR Sprint Cup Series team owner has expressed interest in the NHRA. Both Joe Gibbs and Jack Roush have spent time in the series.
Vise-versa, 69-time NHRA winner Kenny Bernstein owned the No. 26 Cup car from 1986-1995.
