• I Copied from KHI*

With the new testing policy in effect, NASCAR driver Kevin Harvick finally had the chance to relax and have fun during the off-season. Since he claimed fourth-place in the final 2008 standings, the Daytona 500 Champion, has had no regrets on the changes that NASCAR made to the testing policy. “I have actually enjoyed my off time,” said Harvick. “I have had a lot of time to hangout with family and friends and do things that I wouldn’t be able to do during the season.”

Harvick, who is a big sports fan, had the opportunity to attend the BCS National Championship game between the Florida Gators and the Oklahoma Sooners in Miami, Florida. “It was an outstanding game and I couldn’t believe the atmosphere around the stadium,” said Harvick. “It was electrifying.”

On Sunday, Harvick and his wife, DeLana, sat courtside for the UNC vs. Wake Forest Basketball game in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. “DeLana is a big UNC fan,” said Harvick. “Every year we try to attend some kind of Carolina game.” Earlier this season Kevin and DeLana made a trip to Chapel Hill to attend a football game between UNC and rival North Carolina State.

With a few commercial shoots, sponsor appearances and media obligations over the next couple of weeks, Harvick will be ready to go by the time he arrives in Daytona come February.