Harvick hopes to keep up momentum

Harvick overtook Tony Stewart in the closing laps to win at 'The Glen' a year ago and has since finished either first or second in his NASCAR road course outings.

He was second at Sonoma earlier this year and won last week at Montreal in the Busch Series race, although he still praises last year's victory as a highlight on his career.

"Winning at Watkins Glen was a major accomplishment in my career," Harvick said. "We'd been able to win on all the different types of race tracks as we've gone through the years, but the road course thing, we always had this little cloud over us. We have been in contention to win and always had things happen here and there.

"To finally do that was pretty satisfying. It's almost a sense of relief because you get so frustrated at places you know you're capable of winning and haven't been able to."

Harvick anticipates that racing the Car of Tomorrow this weekend will make it more challenging for him to repeat last year's feat. 

He says he can hardly rely on previous data to set up his car for Sunday's race, despite feeling ready to cope with the difficulties the new car will throw over the weekend, having tested successfully last month at VIR.

"I think the biggest challenge is going to be the COT cars," Harvick added. "The setup on these cars is 180 degrees different from the old cars. We have tested at VIR several times to prepare for this event. I think we have learned a lot during the test and I think my team is up to the challenge."

Despite his recent road course results, Harvick believes he is not regarded a road course expert like rivals Jeff Gordon and Tony Stewart.  Instead, he rubs off any pressure, and sees himself as one of the dark horses going into this weekend.

"We have been able to run in the top 10 and top five at Watkins Glen and Sonoma," Harvick says. "I am fine that my name doesn't get brought up when it comes to road course experts.

"It kind of gives me a chance to fly under the radar a little. Hopefully, we can just keep piling up top-five finishes and maybe they will talk about me 20 years from now."

Harvick, who is currently eighth in the Nextel Cup standings with one win, will be on double duty this weekend at Watkins Glen, racing the No 21 RCR entry in the Busch Series race on Saturday, the same he drove to victory last week at Montreal.