Kevin Harvick
There’s only one big question surrounding Harvick — can he do it again?
Harvick took advantage of his move to Stewart-Haas to win his first Cup championship. He and crew chief Rodney Childers clicked right away and were dominant much of the season, leading a series-high 2,137 laps. Harvick and his SHR team rose to the occasion in the Chase, winning three races, including the dramatic season finale to take the title.
There’s little question what kind of champion Harvick will be, because he has changed very little throughout his career. At times he’s witty and charming, at others he’s surly and moody. And he’s not afraid to speak his mind or stir up trouble, particularly when it comes to getting involved in someone else’s controversy. He’s not expected to be much different as NASCAR’s lead ambassador.
But unless you’re Jimmie Johnson, it’s very difficult to repeat as champion. Except for Johnson — who won five straight — no driver has won back-to-back titles since Jeff Gordon in 1997-98. And that challenge is much more difficult now under the new elimination-based Chase.
So what can Harvick do for an encore?
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