Mast helping out RCR and Harvick

[Elwood]

From yahoo Sports :

 

Harvick to stay at Busch race, Mast to qualify for Cup race

 

October 9, 2001

 

 

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) -- Kevin Harvick will skip qualifying and all practices for this weekend's Winston Cup race so he can focus on his fight for the Busch Series championship.

 

The Winston Cup cars race in Martinsville, Va., this weekend and the Busch series is in Memphis. Harvick said Tuesday he would not go to the Cup race until Sunday, with driver Rick Mast sitting in for him during qualifying and all practice sessions.

 

``I didn't make the decision, but with the points race tightening up the way it has in the Busch series, we figured I should stay in Memphis to concentrate on that,'' he said.

 

Harvick, who drives the late Dale Earnhardt's car in the Cup series, has successfully competed on both circuits all year. He was originally set to fly back and forth between qualifying and practice sessions in Virginia and Tennessee until car owner Richard Childress told him to focus on Saturday's Busch race.

 

Harvick has a 186-point lead over Jason Keller with four races left in the season.

 

``He was going to have to miss the final practice in the Busch car to qualify at Martinsville and we want to do everything we can to win the Busch Series championship, so we asked Rick to help us out,'' Childress said. ``It will mean that Kevin has to drop to the back of the field at the start of the race, but I'm confident he will find his way to the front.''

 

 

Too bad RCR just doesn't hire Rick Mast for next year instead of Green or Gordon.  I like him, and he used to run well when he was with a good operation.  Maybe sombody will get him out of these second rate teams and give him another chance.

[Guest Friz]

I agree. Sometimes I think he's washed up, but to hear him talk, he sounds like a young gun with lots to offer. I'd like to see him in a good ride myself.