KERNERSVILLE, N.C. (January 10, 2011) — Kevin Harvick Inc. (KHI) announced today that NASCAR veteran Chris Carrier will lead the organization’s third Truck Series team as crew chief in 2011. The addition to the KHI stable, which will carry the No. 8, will be driven full time by Brazilian driver Nelson Piquet Jr.
Carrier, who has more than 30 years of experience in the sport, has wins as a crew chief in each of NASCAR’s top-three series. The Bristol, Tennessee native began his career in grassroots racing at the local level as a teenager and graduated from East Tennessee State University with a degree in Manufacturing Engineering Technology. Carrier has served as crew chief at Morgan McClure Motorsports, Andy Petree Racing and Penske Racing. The 50 year old most recently led Penske’s driver development program with driver Parker Kligerman.
“I’m really looking forward to this experience with Nelson Piquet Jr.,” said Carrier. “I enjoy working with young drivers and I have a lot of respect for Nelson. Coming from Formula 1, I know that he has a lot of talent, he has good car control, and he won’t be afraid to go fast. I’m excited to get started.”
For KHI, the choice of the No. 8 also carries significance for both the driver and co-owner Kevin Harvick. “The No. 8 was my very first go-kart number when I started racing, so it was always a number I wanted our team to use,” said Harvick. “Nelson had also mentioned to me that he liked the number since he grew up racing the No. 33, and the curves of the No. 8 are reminiscent of that number. All in all it seemed like a good fit.”
Piquet will begin his full-time Truck Series effort in the No. 8 on February 18 at Daytona (Fla.) International Speedway with sponsorship to be announced at a later date.