Richard Childress Racing expressed an interest in running Patrick in some N’Wide races, but Patrick’s management team preferred to run with Turner because Turner uses Hendrick-prepared Chevys, which are similar to what she will drive in the Sprint Cup Series at Stewart Haas Racing.

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Harvick said:

I’m looking forward to finishing out this season on a strong note with RCR and continuing to build our program going into the 2013 season with the ultimate goal of winning a championship. Anything beyond that, once I know what my future plans are set, I’ll let you know.

In 2014, Harvick will join the SHR stable, which includes Tony Stewart, Ryan Newman, and Danica Patrick.

RCR owner Richard Childress wouldn’t talk about the rumor:

I’ve got a contract for 2013 and this is 2012. I’m not talking to you about nothing (regarding that).

Harvick has 18 career Sprint Cup victories, and has driven for RCR since his Cup career began, the week after Dale Earnhardt Sr was killed in a crash at Daytona International Speedway.

In 2010, Harvick considered leaving the team, but decided to stay in good faith. This time, he chose to leave because he thinks SHR will provide motivation that seems to be lacking at RCR.

RCR shrunk to three cars this season, after Clint Bowyer left due to a lack of sponsorship. Reports indicated that Bowyer had a sponsor lined up, but RCR wasn’t interested. As a result, Bowyer left to join Michael Waltrip Racing and had arguably the best season of his career.

Childress’ grandsons both drive in NASCAR’s lower levels. Austin Dillon is driving in the Nationwide Series, where he sits third in points. Dillon will drive the No. 33 in the Daytona 500 next season.

Ty Dillon drives in the Camping World Truck Series, where he sits second in points.

Childress is grooming RCR for his grandsons to eventually take over. While there is nothing to indicate that this has anything to do with Harvick’s decision, it is possible that it does.

Paul Menard and Jeff Burton have been struggling this season, with both out of the top 15 in the standings and winless.

Elliott Sadler, who drives the team’s Nationwide Series entry, is tied for the N’Wide series points lead. He will not return to RCR next season. He is rumored to be close to a deal with Joe Gibbs Racing. Ty Dillon could move up to the Nationwide Series next season.

Update: Stewart was asked to comment on the rumor. He said:

Well, it’s actually Dale, Jr. And (NASCAR reporter) Marty Smith is actually going to be in the fourth car. Yes, that’s where we are at. I will tell you this, when we have something to tell you guys, we’ll tell you. I’ve always said that. You guys can throw darts, but when we have something to tell you that’s different than what we’ve got going on, we’ll obviously tell you.

Update 2: Kevin Harvick is said to be taking Budweiser and Jimmy Johns with him to Stewart Haas Racing in 2014.

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The No. 22 was driven by AJ Allmendinger in the first 17 Sprint Cup races of the season, before he was suspended for failing a random drug test. Sam Hornish took over for the remainder of the season.

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SHR was in the market for a sponsor to replace Office Depot, which announced that it was leaving the No. 14 team at the end of the season earlier this year.

Bass Pro Shops was in its last year with Earnhardt Ganassi Racing and the No. 1 Chevy driven by Jamie McMurray.

Bass Pro Shops will continue to sponsor Austin and Ty Dillon in the Nationwide and Camping World Truck Series.

Quicken Loans also recently extended its partnership with SHR for the No. 39 Chevy and Ryan Newman. The US Army announced earlier this season that it would leave the team at season’s end. It appears that Quicken Loans has picked up the majority of the races that the Army gave up.

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Jay Farner, President and Chief Marketing Officer of Quicken Loans said:

We were not sure what to expect with the 2012 season being our first in the sport. What we quickly found was that NASCAR fans are tremendously passionate and loyal to the brands that help drive their sport. It was their commitment to our company that ultimately allowed us to significantly increase our involvement with the sport, Stewart-Haas Racing and Ryan Newman.

Earlier this year, the US Army, which currently sponsors SHR’s No. 39, announced it would not return to the team in 2013. This expanded deal with Quicken Loans seems to have taken most of the races the Army gave up.

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Per the team’s Facebook page:

The skill and tenacity [Newman] brings to our race team has helped us achieve a lot in a very short period of time, and we look forward to continued success with Ryan behind the wheel of our No. 39 Chevrolet.

This announcement is good news for a team that has been receiving bad news recently: losing sponsors Office Depot and US Army.

Update: Ryan Newman indicated that he signed a one-year deal with SHR, and took a pay cut to stay with the team.

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SHR spokesman Mike Arning said:

Office Depot has notified SHR that they will not be renewing as the primary sponsor of the No. 14 team. However, SHR is in continued discussions with Office Depot regarding possible future roles the company could have with the team.

Mindy Kramer, of Office Depot, said:

The changing business landscape warrants a realignment of priorities and resources. That being said, Tony Stewart has been an exceptional ambassador for our brand, and he has gone above and beyond in everything that he has done for our company. Being a part of his legendary 2011 championship run was a moment of tremendous pride for everyone at Office Depot.

Office Depot does want to be involved with Stewart and the team, but in what capacity has yet to be determined.

Office Depot held primary sponsorship of the car in 22 of 38 races in 2012. Mobil 1 sponsors the car for the remaining 16 races. Mobil 1 will serve as primary sponsor for the same number of races in 2013.

This news comes as another blow, as SHR’s No. 39 Sprint Cup Chevy, driven by Ryan Newman, lost one of its primary sponsors when the US Army announced that it would be leaving the team at season’s end. Still, SHR expects to field three teams in 2013.

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The U.S. Army, which sponsored SHR’s No. 39 Chevy for 12 races this season, announced earlier this month that it was pulling its NASCAR sponsorship, opting to spend that money on other marketing initiatives.

Driver of the No. 39, Ryan Newman is not under contract for the 2013, though SHR would like to bring him back if sponsorship can be worked out. In addition to the Army, the No. 39 has been sponsored by Tornados, Quicken Loans,Outback Steakhouse, Wix Filters, and Aspen Dental. Bass Pro Shops also sponsored the team for one race.

Danica Patrick is slated to join the SHR stable full time in 2013 bringing with her sponsorship from GoDaddy, who has sponsored Patrick in the Indy Car Series, the ARCA Racing Series and the Nationwide Series.

No changes in sponsorship are expected for the No. 14, which is currently sponsored by Office Depot and Mobil 1. Bass Pro Shops appeared on that car for one race, as well.

There are rumors that Newman could leave SHR and join a new team formed by Michael Andretti, though Andretti called a move to the Sprint Cup Series in 2013 highly unlikely.

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Stewart’s qualifying time was disallowed after posting the second-fastest time in qualifying and he started the race in 42nd position.

NASCAR found the team to be in violation of Sections 12-1 (actions detrimental to stock car racing); 12-4J (any determination by NASCAR officials that the race equipment used in the event does not conform to NASCAR rules detailed in Section 20 of the NASCAR Rule Book); and 20-2.1J (unapproved open vent hose inside of the car).

Crew chief Steve Addington was fined $25,000 and placed on probation until Aug. 22nd. Car chief Jeff Meendering was also placed on probation until the 22nd.

Drive Tony Stewart and car owner Margaret Haas have each been penalized with the loss of six driver and owner championship points, respectively.

SHR competition director Greg Zipadelli said:

While we respect and accept NASCAR’s decision, we want to be clear that there was no malicious intent. In a rush to replace a cracked rear windshield that happened during tech inspection prior to qualifying, we jostled a cooling hose that was behind the seat. We understand NASCAR’s position and will abide by its decision.

Because Kansas Speedway has been repaved, teams will get a special test session, the Thursday before the race. The extra day should be beneficial for Patrick as she tries to get more comfortable in the Sprint Cup Series car.

Greg Zipadelli, SHR competition director, said:

That extra day of testing will be huge for her. With the amount of 1.5-mile ovals on the schedule, it made sense to have her compete at Kansas to better prepare her for 2013.

Patrick added:

I think the extra day of testing will be very beneficial, not only to prepare for the race weekend, but to learn for the rest of 2012 and looking ahead to 2013 with Stewart-Haas Racing. The more track time I can get, the better, so I’m happy to be driving the GoDaddy.com Chevy at Kansas.