CHAMPION CREW CHIEF: Eddie Harvey
Veteran ready to celebrate first championship
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. — Anyone who has worked in NASCAR racing knows if you are ever going to be successful it takes a lot of dedication, time management, and hard work. This year’s NASCAR Whelen Southern Modified Tour champion car owner and crew chief might be one who has pushed that to the limit.
Eddie Harvey is no stranger to the division as he and his father, Howard, have fielded cars for years in both the NASCAR Whelen Southern and Whelen Modified Tours. His dad Howard already has two owner championships with George Brunnhoelzl III, in 2011 and 2012, and now it is Eddie’s turn to collect his trophy.
For the younger Harvey this achievement is special not just because it is his first as car owner, but how he was able to find the time to get everything done in a timely fashion.
Eddie Harvey works on the race cars in his shop, works at his family-owned Phoenix Pre-owned Motors and also serves as general manager of Vestal Buick GMC in nearby Kernersville. Finding time to do all of those things well is something he is proud of and very thankful.
“I was basically born in to this sport and it’s a labor of love for me,” said Eddie Harvey. “This championship is very special to me and it means the world to me and my family that we were able to get this with Andy (Seuss). I am also very lucky everyone at Vestal Buick GMC have been so willing to work with me as we pursued this championship.”
Eddie Harvey knows the only way he was able to make it through the season was to work hard and have the help of some great people.
“I can’t thank my family enough for all the support they have given me and the ability to focus on things when I needed to,” Eddie Harvey added. “I stay pretty busy between all three places and their help has been tremendous. This was a total team effort.”
Seuss teamed up with the Harvey’s in 2011 after the sudden death of Jeff Riggs left the season in doubt for Seuss. Eddie and Jeff’s father David partnered up and things just came together for Eddie and Andy.
“Although we didn’t start working together until 2011 Jeff and I had already been talking about teaming up together,” said Eddie Harvey. “We were talking before he passed away suddenly and I knew his dad since I was a child. It just worked out like it was supposed to for all of us.”
Eddie, his dad Howard, and the entire Ideal Racing team will celebrate at the NASCAR Touring Series Awards on Dec. 13 in the Charlotte (North Carolina) Convention Center at the NASCAR Hall of Fame.
Sources: Tim Southers/NASCAR PR