In February I wrote a blog about NASCAR teams becoming interested in the NHRA POWERade Series since a drag strip is being built in their backyard.

I was a little shocked to see Kevin Harvick be the first to express interest in the sport. I thought the first would be one of the bigger teams like Hendrick, Ganassi or even Gibbs again.

But on the other hand, Kevin and DeLana Harvick are proven winners as owners in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series and Nationwide Series. They have put together one championship and 12 wins in a short period of time.

Partnering with Bob Vandergriff Jr., who also grew up in Southern California, is the perfect match for the Harvick’s. Vandergriff landed sponsorship for his up and coming team when he secured UPS on his Top Fueler in his return to competition full-time in 2006. One of KHI’s major sponsors is Camping World which is becoming more involved in the world of motorsports. I could see Camping World stepping up to sponsor the Harvick-Vandergriff owned Top Fueler. Currently, Camping World is an associate sponsor of Vandergriff, a deal which was put together this season. Cross-marketing between the NASCAR and NHRA teams could also help bring on more new partners in all three series.

Over the next few months Harvick and Vandergriff will plan to put the components together to start the team, including a driver and sponsor.