NASCAR Sprint Cup 2010 1st Half Report: Kevin Harvick

Kevin Harvick's  NASCAR career has completely turned 180 degrees from where he was in 2009. As Harvick entered the 2010 season, there was talk of him starting his own team or jumping ship to another race team if Richard Childress Racing could not be productive in the upcoming NASCAR season.

Harvick was disgruntled with the RCR engine program and the aero package of the car during the 2009 season and wasn't sure what to expect as the 2010 NASCAR season approached. As rumors swirled about his future, Harvick took a wait-and-see approach to his upcoming contract negotiations.

Harvick's 2009 NASCAR Season Filled With Disappointment

Kevin Harvick had a dismal 2009 NASCAR Sprint Cup season which followed an equally uneventful 2008 season. Harvick was winless in the two seasons and was not sure when he would ever see Victory Lane again.

It was obvious as the NASCAR season reached halfway in the 2009 season that Harvick was at the end of his rope and his interviews turned noticeably sour. Harvick's NASCAR truck-racing program was doing very well, and it spurned speculation that Harvick was spending too much time with his NASCAR truck-racing operation.

Harvick Starts the 2010 NASCAR Season in His Happy Place: Daytona

Ask Kevin Harvick  where the Happiest Place on Earth is and he won't hesitate to answer Daytona. Harvick has always done well at Daytona, as did his predecessor Dale Earnhardt, Sr. Harvick began the 2010 NASCAR season by winning the first race, the Budweiser Shootout and placing second in his Daytona 500 qualifying race against Jimmie Johnson .

Harvick had a great opportunity to win the Daytona 500 in 2010 but after two green-white-checker restarts, Harvick ended up seventh. The die was cast for Harvick from that point forward. The RCR engine package had improved dramatically over 2009 and Harvick had a car that gave him confidence behind the wheel once again.

Harvick Grabs Points Lead After West Coa st Swing & Ends Winless Drought

Kevin Harvick's luck on NASCAR's west coast swing to California and Las Vegas has been hit or miss but in 2010, Harvick was second best to Jimmie Johnson in both races to secure the NASCAR Sprint Cup points lead.

Harvick went on to score 13 top tens in the first 18 races including eight top-five finishes to give him a solid 212 point lead over Jeff Gordon . The problem for Harvick is the bonus points for wins each driver will be awarded when the NASCAR Sprint Cup Chase begins at Loudon in September.

Harvick has two NASCAR restrictor plate wins in 2010 now with his recent victory at Daytona to cap off the halfway point of the season and his restrictor plate win at Talladega in April. Harvick's goal in the second half will be to win somewhere other than Daytona or Talladega.

Kevin Harvick's Mid Season Grade: A

Kevin Harvick receives an A for the first half of the season. Harvick has raced to the ability of his car and has not pushed the issue when his car was not cooperating. With Harvick leading after 18 races the question will be can he win a few more races before the NASCAR Sprint Cup Chase begins in September. The next two months will be critical for Harvick and his RCR team.

Todd Jacobs is featured on many websites you may contact him through Suite 101 , Associated Content or view his handicapping picks on www.lasvegasinsideinfo.com .