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Among the perks for Daytona 500 champion Kevin Harvick was a late-night visit with David Letterman Monday night. He'll race in his home state of California this weekend.

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Date published: 2/23/2007

BY JIM Mc CONNELL

The last four days have been a blur for Kevin Harvick, controversial champion of the Daytona 500 and newly minted multimedia superstar.

The 31-year-old woke up early Monday for an appearance on ABC's "Good Morning America." He fielded a congratulatory phone call from California Gov. Arnold Schwarzeneggar, gave radio interviews on ESPN, Sirius satellite and Fox Sports Radio, then hung out with Jim Carrey on the set of David Letterman's "Late Show."

On Tuesday, Harvick appeared on "Live with Regis and Kelly," attended a luncheon with New York media and did more interviews with ESPN.

Wednesday brought the California native back home to help promote this weekend's NASCAR tripleheader in Fontana, including a stint on ABC's "Jimmy Kimmel Live."

Yesterday, Harvick's itinerary included a morning spot with California deejay Rick Dees, followed by interviews with other radio, television and print outlets.

For a driver who earned the nickname "Happy" because of his perpetually grumpy demeanor, a man who has always looked more comfortable behind a steering wheel than a microphone, the sudden brush with fame has been a life-changing event.

And all this because Harvick got the nose of his Chevy to the finish line a couple hundredths of a second before Mark Martin?

"I don't know that there's a whole lot that can prepare you for the media side of it," Harvick said. "You don't really understand how big it is until you actually get involved in it, have to do the things week in and week out. On that side of it, it's just kind of trial and error."

Harvick's performance was error-free at Daytona. Not only did he win the Busch race on Saturday, he became the third consecutive California-born winner of Sunday's Great American Race, joining Jeff Gordon and Jimmie Johnson.

"It's a momentum builder. It's kind of payday for everybody that worked so hard all winter," team owner Richard Childress said. "I know how much [crew chief] Todd [Berrier] and his group have put in it and everybody at RCR. And to come here and win the Daytona 500 just gives you a boost and a jump-start going into the rest of the year. You know, it's a confidence builder."

Sunday, 3 p.m (Fox TV, WFLS-FM 93.3) Qualifying: Today, 5:30 p.m. (Speed)

Date published: 2/23/2007