Harvick Wants Out At RCR...?

((HT: ESPN/Newton))

Richard Childress Racing driver Kevin Harvick ((pictured, thanks autoracingdaily.com)) would like to be released from the final year of his contract that expires in 2010, a source close to the situation said on Wednesday.

"He's making that evident," the source said.

Harvick is 25th in points and hasn't won a Sprint Cup race since the 2007 Daytona 500.

According to a report on SI.com, Harvick would like to move to Stewart-Haas Racing and take his primary sponsor, Shell/Pennzoil, with him. The report said Shell's contract expires after this season, but multiple sources told ESPN.com the deal runs through 2010.

Sources added that it is unlikely RCR owner Richard Childress would let both the driver and sponsor go, particularly in today's economic climate.

In a statement released Wednesday, Richard Childress Racing said it expected Harvick to honor his contract.

"Richard Childress Racing has a multiyear contract with Shell-Pennzoil that includes the 2010 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series season. Shell-Pennzoil remains a great partner for RCR and Kevin Harvick as well as our sport overall. RCR also has a multiyear contract with Kevin Harvick that includes the 2010 season. That said, Shell will be the sponsor and Kevin will be the driver of RCR's No. 29 Shell-Pennzoil Chevrolet Impala SS in 2010."

Harvick moved into a full-time Cup ride for RCR in 2001 after the death of Dale Earnhardt. He has since formed his own Truck Series and Nationwide Series teams under Kevin Harvick Inc. Before that he drove in the Truck Series for Spears Motorsports.

Tony Stewart and SHR teammate Ryan Newman are among several drivers sharing a ride in Harvick's No. 33 Nationwide car this season. Among the sponsors are Old Spice and Army, which are primary sponsors for Stewart's Cup team.

A spokesman for Harvick had no comment when contacted by ESPN.com.

UPDATE: Richard Childress, pretty much, squashed it... at SI.com

Kevin Harvick is under contract with Richard Childress Racing for one more season, and the team expects him to drive the No. 29 in 2010.

RCR released a statement Wednesday responding to a report on SI.com that Harvick wanted out of his deal and was hopeful of moving to Stewart-Hass Racing.

Richard Childress says RCR has a multiyear contract with Harvick and sponsor Shell-Pennzoil. Childress says "Shell will be the sponsor and Kevin will be the driver of RCR's No. 29 Shell-Pennzoil Chevrolet Impala SS in 2010."

Harvick is 25th in the points standing this season. He hasn't won a Cup race since the 2007 Daytona 500.

Here's that win at Daytona in 2007
((HT: NASCAR on FOX))