2014 Driver Spotlight Review: Kevin Harvick

Kevin Harvick 2014 Review

By Richard Tix

2014 Preview

Season Grade: A+

Kevin Harvick spent 13 seasons, 466 races, and 135,115 laps with Richard Childress Racing before joining Stewart-Haas in 2014. That's 23 career wins, 100 top 5's, 209 top 10's, and 6 Poles all with one team. 

In 2014 he made a big move and left his long time team behind for his buddy Tony Stewarts team, SHR. Some wondered how the transition would go, myself included, but after watching Matt Kenseth make the move to JGR in 2013 and winning 7 races most thought it was possible for him to run well. 

"I think that Harvick will step into SHR just fine to start 2014. The past two seasons he has got off to a good start within the first ten races. In 2013 Harvick wasn't great, but he was very consistent to start the season (other then Daytona) so I don't see any reason that with a good team behind him and good parts his team can start off smooth. I only wonder about the long run at SHR. Will someone feel that they are not getting the best equipment? With the possibility of Danica and Kurt being left on the back burner while Owner and best bud get the best equipment will someone get upset?" -From the 2014 Kevin Harvick Preview

Looking back at my preview its crazy that I brought up equipment. Not that there is any indication Kurt Busch didn't have the stuff that Harvick had, but it was Harvick that ended up running the best with what he had, so was there anything there? I highly doubt it, but its interesting to look back at. I did think he would have a slow start at SHR (full disclosure), but that was anything from the truth.

Harvick stepped right into the #4 and won at Phoenix early on. Actually, Harvick dominated that race and proved how fast he could be with this team. The main issue early on was his bad luck and some bad pit stop mistakes. Harvick didn't find consistency early because it seemed like late in the race something would happen that set him back (Blown tire, slow pit stop, wrong place wrong time).

Going into the Chase that seemed like it would be a major concern, and then news broke that the #4 and #14 pit crews would swap places for the Chase. That worry seemed to go away and so did some of the bad luck.

Havick ended up winning 5 races (tied a career high), 14 top 5's (3rd highest career mark), and 20 top 10's (tied for 3rd in his career). The most interesting thing about the 2014 season is that Harvick put together 8 poles. In his career before SHR he has 6 total career Pole Awards in 13 seasons. So, he was consistently fast all season and seemed to figure out the new qualifying format early and often.

Oh, and Kevin Harvick also became a first time NASCAR Sprint Cup Champion in 2014. Not a bad career move for "Happy."

• Want to look back at his Championship Season? Take a look at 2014 Chase Highlights

2014 Chase Predictions in Review

Review of NASCAR Behind the Wall's Predictions

By Richard Tix

Going into a whole New Chase Era in 2014 I decided to take a stab at who would make the Chase and some random predictions. As I can not see into the future, I obviously was off on some of these. However, it is always fun to look back on how you were feeling before the season and how things changed. So lets look back at the 2014 Chase Predictions and take a quick review on them.

Who Will Make the Chase?

Who I was right on?

• I did get 14 of the 16 drivers correct. I did a 16 drivers section which were my safe bets and who I was taking to get in. Then I listed an extra six drivers that were long shots (which is where I had AJ Allmendinger. Who I missed on? Clint Boywer and Tony Stewart missed and Allmendinger and Aric Almirola made it in on wins. 
• Preseason I think most figured Smoke should have no problem getting into the Chase. He had a win in each of his 15 season's, so it is still crazy to think that streak ended.

Random Predictions

(Some of these are way off and some not so much)

Who Will Have the Better Season Kevin Harvick or Ryan Newman?

• "These two drivers pretty much swapped spots from SHR and RCR. So they will be easy to compare all season. But who will do better in 2014? On the outside it looks like an easy answer, it has to be Harvick right? Well, NASCAR Behind the Wall is going to go out on a limb and say this race will be a lot closer than some think. We are going to give the slight edge to Ryan Newman in a shocker. "Go big or go home" right?"
• I gave Newman the slight edge. If you look at where they finished the standings it doesn't look too bad. But lets be honest, Harvick easily had the better season even before he won the Championship. Not to take anything from Newman, he had a good first year with RCR.

Who Will Run Better in 2014, Danica or Stenhouse?

• "Danica is being pushed off to the side at SHR so will it make her want it more, or will she not receive the attention she needs to learn? Stenhouse had a quality rookie year, but many rookies are coming in 2014 and will try and show him up. I still say Ricky will make an improvement on last year, however slight it is, it will be enough to out duel Danica."
• Well, I picked Ricky but he barely edged Danica in the points this year. However, I also thought he would make an improvement in 2014 and if anything he regressed. Year three will be a big step for both of these drivers.

Who Has the Best Chance to Get Every Team Driver into the Chase? (Hendrick or SHR)

• "Hendrick should win this one pretty easy, but Dale Jr needs to win in 2014. Even if he doesn't he should have enough points to steal a spot after all the winners are decided. Danica makes this a no brainer towards Hendrick, but can she steal a super speedway win? (JGR was left out, they should hands down all make it in)"
• I obviously went HMS here, which they did get all four in. Going into the season its crazy this was a question. A lot of it had to do with some subpar performances by Kahne and Earnhardt Jr lately. Jr came out strong and put this question to rest earlier. However, HMS didn't make much of a splash in the Chase itself.

Who Wins First in 2014? Harvick or Kurt Busch

• "NASCAR Behind the Wall has already taken an in depth look at this with the article SHR Fresh Faces. As we found out in the research, it truly is a tossup. This is for predictions though so someone has to win right?"
• I went Harvick with the slight edge on this one. Which was correct when he won at Phoenix. Harvick by far had a better season than Kurt in every way possible.

Who Wins ROY Honors?

• "2014's ROY class is huge! Before it got to such a large number of rookie drivers it was already going to be a good year for rookies. The class started with Austin Dillon and Kyle Larson. Most likely the end ROY fight will come down to them because they have started out in the best position (better cars and teams)."
• Its crazy to me I went with Dillon, since I have been following Larson for a few years now, but I guess I thought Larson might be up and down in his first year. Well, he showed some flashes of being a star on the Cup level. Dillon had a fine season, but Larson was more flashy. It will be fun to watch him develop over the years.

How will Dale Earnhardt Jr do in 2014, he and Letarte's last Hurrah? Will He Have Multiple Wins?

• "Letarte is going to the booth in 2015 and leaving Jr as CC. Letarte is known for helping turn around a struggling Jr and making him relevant again. Yet, they haven't found a way to find wins. After coming off a good 2013 season, will they make one last run at glory? I think that both will use this as a chance for a no pressure situation and take advantage. I think Jr will come up with multiple wins in 2014 and leave people wondering, what if they had one more year?"
• Well I was on target with this one. Jr came out strong at Daytona and then won a few more races along the way making it a 4 win season. It will be interesting to see how the 88 team does early on without LeTarte.

Who Ends with More Wins in 2014, Kyle or Kurt Busch?

• "Kurt Busch is in a new ride with new equipment in 2014, and it might help him get back to his winning ways. Kurt should get a win in 2014, but I think Kyle might end the season with the most wins in NASCAR."
• This prediction would have been fine if I stopped before saying Kyle might have the most wins in 2014. Still, Kyle and Kurt both only had one win this season, even if Kyle had the much better season.

How Many Races Before Tony Stewart Gets to 50 Wins? (2 More Wins)

• "This is a shot out of a cannon guess (Who else has a shot at 50 in there career?). He normally doesn't get hot until summer, but he has had seasons where he starts off well, so its a toss up. So lets just take a shot in the dark: 20."
• I didn't see this coming, a zero win season for Smoke. I guess this might be a question in the 2015 Chase Predictions.

Who Finishes Highest At Joe Gibbs Racing?

• "Its like shooting fish in a barrel, who will be the lucky one (or unlucky if you are an actual fish). Kenseth has been the most consistent in the Chase when it comes to finishing high, but its a new era. Denny Hamlin has been the second best at finishing high. But, Kyle Busch (the inconsistent Chase finisher) could gain the most in this new format with an emphasis on winning. I'm going to go on a limb here."
• This question was who finishes lowest at JGR, right? I really thought Kyle Busch was going to break out in 2014. I don't think the slow start for JGR as a whole helped, but it definitely wasn't what I was expecting out of Rowdy.

Will a Chase Spot be Stolen at a Road Course?

• "So will a guy like Ambrose, Martin Truex, or Allmendinger who may not have won before turning right steal a potential Chase spot? AJ could definitely win at a non road course, but his run in Nationwide last year was pretty impressive to think he could maybe steal one on a road course. Ambrose is always a threat at road courses. (This is not to say these drivers couldn't steal one elsewhere). No, I think Ambrose will be shut out again in 2014 at road courses. Look out for AJ this season though."
• Well, I said to watch out for AJ, but I did predict that a underdog win wouldn't come this season at a road course, which was wrong. Once again these two races were exciting to watch.

Biggest Surprise Driver in 2014?

• "Brian Vickers or AJ Almendinger. Also, Ryan Newman with a multi win season."
• Well, AJ had a great season after getting a win and Newman go into the Chase, but didn't win once. So I will call this one a push.

Most Disappointing Driver in 2014?

• "Kevin Harvick. Going on a limb here, but after a great 2013 he has a lot of pressure to perform at SHR."
• I did state in other articles that I thought Harvick would still make the Chase and that he would have a fine transition, however I did think he would have a down year getting adjusted. But, I couldn't have been more wrong about his season. Harvick was one of the fastest cars all year and showed that down the stretch. 

2014 Standings Using the 2013 Chase Format

How Would the Standings Look if we Used the 2013 Chase?

By Richard Tix

NASCAR Behind the Wall already took a fast look back at how the 2014 season would have turned out under a points only system, so lets take a look at how it would have played out under last years Chase Format. 

As it has played out, no matter what system we look at each one would have brought us a different Champion. This just proves no one system is perfect and it will almost always yield a different result. The only thing teams and fans can do is play by those rules set forth. Each system gives drivers a different way to look at things and approach each race. Each system provides a chance for a drivers strategy to come into play. Each system has its flaws and its strengths, so I just try and enojoy what we have. 

What we have is an exciting format that doesn't even have to create drama, it just comes with it. It gets drivers and teams out of there comfort zone and putting it all on the line down the stretch of the year, when it matters most. No matter what Chase style you like, I have provided all the Standings so you can use them for yourself. So, here is how 2014 would have played out under last years Chase rules:

2014 Chase Final under 2013 Chase Format
Finish	Driver	Wins	Points	Points Back
1	Joey Logano	5	2396
2	Kevin Harvick	5	2389	-7
3	Brad Keselowksi	6	2361	-35
4	Ryan Newman	0	2354	-42
5	Jeff Gordon	4	2348	-48
6	Matt Kenseth	0	2334	-62
7	Dale Earnhardt Jr	4	2301	-95
8	Carl Edwards	2	2288	-108
9	Kyle Busch	1	2282	-114
10	Jimmie Johnson	4	2274	-122
11	Greg Biffle	0	2247	-149
12	Kasey Kahne	1	2231	-165

So there it is, under the 2013 rules Joey Logano would be your Champion. The only way Harvick even made it close was because he won the final race, otherwise the last three races would have been a snoozer. Over the old Chase, I will take this new one every day (my opinion). 

One thing I want to take a look at is averaging all three standings together and getting a final average standings. This means absolutely nothing, but I thought it would be cool to look at who faired well no matter what the style:

Championship Decided by Average Standings Finish
Points, 2013, and 2014 Standings
Final	Driver	Points	2013	2014	Average
1	Joey Logano	2	1	4	2.33
2	Kevin Harvick	5	2	1	2.67
3	Brad Keselowski	3	3	5	3.67
4	Jeff Gordon	1	5	6	4.00
4	Ryan Newman	6	4	2	4.00
6	Dale Earnhardt Jr	4	7	8	6.33
7	Matt Kenseth	7	6	7	6.67

Who I would consider the four fastest drivers of 2014 averaged the best finishing position in the standings no matter the format. That is good to see. No matter how unfair some may think things are, the top two drivers in most styles ended up being in the final. Interesting to note Ryan Newman was tied for fourth with Gordon after everyone's uproar in him being in the final.

There you have it, a look back at a few different ways NASCAR has decided its Champion. Thanks for checking out NASCAR Behind the Wall.

2014 Standings Using Points Only

Using the Old Points Only System, How Would the Standings Look?

By Richard Tix

Well the NASCAR offseason is in full swing. Fans are already counting down the days until the Daytona and struggling from NOD (NASCAR Offseason Disorder). Not sure where it started, but Annoying Race Fan wants to take credit, so Ill go with there.

Other than NOD, I have picked up that some fans are still bitter about how the new Chase format played out. So, to help fans get through the offseason and to fuel some fire that probably doesnt need anymore fuel, I figured I would post how the standings would have played out under the points only format that NASCAR used to use. So have at it fans:

2014 Points Only Final Championship Finish
Finish	Driver	Points	Points Back
1	Jeff Gordon	1253
2	Joey Logano	1216	-37
3	Brad Keselowski	1179	-74
4	Dale Earnhardt Jr	1175	-78
5	Kevin Harvick	1171	-82
6	Ryan Newman	1136	-117
7	Matt Kenseth	1131	-122
8	Kyle Larson	1080	-173
9	Jimmie Johnson	1067	-186
10	Carl Edwards	1059	-194
11	Jamie McMurray	1014	-239
12	Greg Biffle	1000	-253
13	Denny Hamlin	987	-266
14	Clint Bowyer	979	-274
15	Kyle Busch	969	-284
16	Kasey Kahne	966	-287
17	Austin Dillon	958	-295
18	Paul Menard	944	-309
19	Brian Vickers	921	-332
20	Kurt Busch	911	-342

Well, its not the first time Gordon fans have seen the standings play out this way. It is true, if NASCAR never changed it's points system then Gordon would have a few more titles to his name. Most of these Championships would have been one sided. Fair? Sure. Boring? Most likely to all of the fans who aren't Gordon fans. I would bet the fans complaining of how boring the last stretch of some races were ended up being a big reason NASCAR ever changed to the Chase. Which will bring me next to the 204 Standings under the 2013 Format. Watch for it coming soon!

Thanks for checking out NASCAR Behind the Wall. Together as NASCAR fans we will make it through this offseason.