Owner Richard Childress says he's close to an agreement that will keep Kevin Harvick with RCR beyond this season.
Childress said he hoped to have negotiations with the Sprint Cup points leader wrapped up before the series heads to Charlotte, N.C., later this month for the Coca-Cola 600.
"We've been talking and hopefully we'll have something," Childress said Friday after qualifying for the Southern 500.
Locking up Harvick looked like a longshot last season as Childress' Chevrolet teams struggled to keep up with those of powerful Hendrick Motorsports. However, Childress said the improved performance of his teams - RCR drivers Harvick, Jeff Burton and Clint Boywer are all inside the top 12 this year - has smoothed over issues Harvick may have had.
"It's good for RCR, Kevin and all of us if we can put this thing back together," Childress said.
Harvick has driven for RCR since 2001 following the death of Dale Earnhardt. He's won 12 times, including two weeks ago at Talladega.
Harvick has a 10-point lead over four-time defending champion Jimmie Johnson heading into this weekend's race at Darlington Raceway.
Harvick did not want to talk about any pending deals. "I'm not worried about that," he said. "I'm worried about Darlington."
