Nick Harrison (racing)

Nick Harrison
Personal information
Birth nameNicholas Arthur Harrison
NationalityAmerican
Born(1982-04-29)April 29, 1982
Columbia, Tennessee, U.S.
DiedJuly 21, 2019(2019-07-21) (aged 37)
OccupationNASCAR crew chief
Years active2006–2019
Sport
SportNASCAR
TeamKaulig Racing

Nicholas Arthur Harrison[1] (April 29, 1982 – July 21, 2019) was an American stock car racing crew chief, working in the role on the No. 11 Chevrolet Camaro of Kaulig Racing in the NASCAR Xfinity Series, driven by Justin Haley. Previously, Harrison had worked in the Sprint Cup Series for Phoenix Racing.

Career

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Harrison started his NASCAR career in the Busch Series in 2006 as crew chief for Chad Chaffin and Steadman Marlin.[2] In 2010, Harrison joined Phoenix Racing as crew chief for Landon Cassill,[3] and also worked with Bobby Labonte during the season.[4] The following season, Cassill, Mike Bliss, Boris Said and Bill Elliott worked with Harrison.[2] In 2012, Harrison worked with Kurt Busch until the final six weeks of the season, in which Busch left the team for Furniture Row Racing, and was replaced by Regan Smith.[5]

As of the 2013 AAA 400, Harrison had served as crew chief for eleven different drivers during the season, all of whom drove for Phoenix Racing: A. J. Allmendinger,[6] Austin Dillon,[7] Brendan Gaughan,[8] Owen Kelly,[9] Jacques Villeneuve,[10] Bobby Labonte,[11] Regan Smith,[12] Ryan Truex,[2][13] Mike Bliss,[14] Justin Allgaier,[15] and Michael McDowell.[16]

In the Nationwide Series, Harrison also served as crew chief for Ryan Newman in 2010, Landon Cassill and Jamie McMurray in 2011, Kurt Busch in 2012 and 2013, along with Jeremy Clements in 2013.[2] With Harrison, Busch won the 2012 Subway Jalapeño 250 at Daytona International Speedway.[17] Harrison also worked with Busch in the Camping World Truck Series in 2012 at Atlanta Motor Speedway in the Jeff Foxworthy's Grit Chips 200 for Billy Ballew Motorsports, finishing tenth.[18]

In October 2013, Harrison announced that he was leaving Phoenix Racing following the Hollywood Casino 400 at Kansas Speedway, joining Richard Childress Racing to act as crew chief for the team's No. 33 Chevrolet Camaro in the Nationwide Series,[19] replacing Ernie Cope.[20] He joined the No. 3 team in 2015.[21]

Harrison moved to Kaulig Racing's No. 11 car, driven by Justin Haley, in 2019.[22][23]

Death

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On July 21, 2019, Harrison died at age 37 of acute intoxication from cocaine, oxycodone and alcohol. His death was ruled accidental.[24] He had suffered from multiple health issues including hypertension, cardiovascular disease, and sleep apnea.[24]

References

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  1. ^ "Nicholas Arthur "Nick" Harrison Obituary - Spring Hill, Tennessee | Spring Hill Memorial Park, Funeral Home & Cremation Services". Archived from the original on July 24, 2019. Retrieved July 24, 2019.
  2. ^ a b c d "Nick Harrison". Racing-Reference. Retrieved August 28, 2013.
  3. ^ Schilke, Nancy (August 28, 2013). "Harry Scott, Jr. reaches agreement with Phoenix Racing". Motorsport.com. Retrieved August 28, 2013.
  4. ^ "Phoenix Racing and Bobby Labonte Bring Home Top 20 Finish". Bobby Labonte. November 14, 2010. Archived from the original on September 27, 2013. Retrieved August 28, 2013.
  5. ^ Livingstone, Seth (September 30, 2012). "Phoenix Racing committed to finishing season". NASCAR. Retrieved August 28, 2013.
  6. ^ "Phoenix Racing tabs Allmendinger for No. 51". NASCAR. February 26, 2013. Retrieved August 28, 2013.
  7. ^ "Austin Dillon to run Cup race for Phoenix Racing at Las Vegas". Sporting News. January 11, 2013. Retrieved August 28, 2013.
  8. ^ Eddinger, Mark (August 12, 2013). "Brendan Gaughan Will Drive for Phoenix Racing This Weekend at Michigan". Sports Media 101. Archived from the original on September 28, 2013. Retrieved August 28, 2013.
  9. ^ Schilke, Nancy (July 20, 2013). "Australian Owen Kelly to realise NASCAR Sprint Cup dream". Motorsport.com. Retrieved August 28, 2013.
  10. ^ Morgan, Sam (June 18, 2013). "Villeneuve joins Phoenix for Sonoma". Racer. Retrieved August 28, 2013.
  11. ^ Pockrass, Bob (July 10, 2013). "Bobby Labonte will race at Michigan for Phoenix Racing". Sporting News. Retrieved August 28, 2013.
  12. ^ Spencer, Lee (March 18, 2013). "Smith to drive Martinsville Cup race". Fox Sports. Retrieved August 28, 2013.
  13. ^ "Ryan Truex to Make NASCAR Sprint Cup Debut at Bristol". Catchfence. August 20, 2013. Retrieved August 28, 2013.
  14. ^ Gluck, Jeff (August 28, 2013). "Bobby Labonte breaks ribs in bike crash, will miss race". USA Today. Retrieved August 28, 2013.
  15. ^ Albert, Zack (September 14, 2013). "Allgaier lives dream with Cup debut, daughter". NASCAR.com. Retrieved September 16, 2013.
  16. ^ "17th Annual "Sylvania 300" Entry List" (PDF). New Hampshire Motor Speedway. September 16, 2013. Archived from the original (PDF) on September 27, 2013. Retrieved September 23, 2013.
  17. ^ Corrigan, Candice (July 12, 2012). "Kurt Busch Wins Dramatic Daytona Nationwide Race". Motor Racing Digest. Retrieved August 28, 2013.
  18. ^ "2012 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Results". Racing-Reference. Retrieved August 28, 2013.
  19. ^ Spencer, Lee (October 2, 2012). "Harrison leaving Phoenix for RCR". Fox Sports. Retrieved October 2, 2013.
  20. ^ "Harrison To Lead No. 33 Nationwide Team". National Speed Sport News. October 8, 2013. Retrieved October 8, 2013.
  21. ^ "RCR swaps No. 3 and No. 33 NASCAR XFINITY Series crew chiefs". Richard Childress Racing. June 24, 2015. Archived from the original on June 26, 2015. Retrieved June 24, 2015.
  22. ^ "Nick Harrison, longtime NASCAR crew chief, dies at 37". Official Site Of NASCAR. July 21, 2019. Retrieved July 22, 2019.
  23. ^ "Justin Haley NASCAR driver page Stats, Results, Bio". Official Site Of NASCAR.
  24. ^ a b Organ, Mike (September 18, 2019). "NASCAR crew chief Nick Harrison died of cocaine, oxycodone, alcohol, examiner's report says". USA Today. Retrieved September 18, 2019.
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