KHI Crew Member Spotlight:

One of the originals:
Jason Meeks - Shop Foreman and Crew Chief, No. 77 Nationwide Series Team

When Kevin Harvick Inc. officially began in 2002, they only had two employees. Six years later, they now employ over 70 people. Growth has come quickly for KHI and the sport of NASCAR racing is usually one filled with lots of turnover. However, shop foreman and crew chief of the KHI No. 77 Nationwide Series entry, Jason Meeks has stood by his employer.

Meeks was one of the two original employees at KHI. He joined Harvick’s start up operation after working with him in 1999 while Harvick was getting his start driving the No. 98 Truck Series entry. “I’ve known Kevin for a long time,” said Meeks. “He told me he was going to branch out and start a business of his own. He asked me if I would like to come with him and I couldn’t turn him down. I think Kevin is a hard racer and a great business man.”

Like most of the guys who work throughout the NASCAR garage area, Meeks began racing when he was very young coming up through the local short track ranks throughout his home state of Florida. “Racing is all I’ve ever known,” Meeks joked. “I’ve been turning wrenches ever since I could walk it seems like. I love this sport. Working here and seeing this place evolve into what it is now has been amazing.”

KHI has experienced many highs and lows on their rise to championship status. Meeks has been there through them all. “I think my favorite KHI memory would be winning our first Truck Series race with Kevin at Phoenix in 2002,” said Meeks. “Everything seemed to come together so quickly, we were just having fun. It was great to see all of our hard work come together into a win. We had finally put ourselves on the map that we were going to be competitors in the near future.”

Being involved in the sport for over 10 years has led to lots of visits to different race tracks. Meeks has his favorite and can tell you a little bit about each venue on the circuit. “I really enjoy going to Dover and Atlanta. Both of those tracks are fast and fun to watch,” said Meeks. “However, I could do without ever going to Mexico again. I’m just not fond of having to ride a bus everywhere and it is always hot there.”

Coming up through the ranks at KHI has led Meeks to the new title of shop foreman and crew chief for Cale Gale and the No. 77 Rheem/VFW Chevrolet in the Nationwide Series. “I consider it a privilege to work with Cale,” Meeks remarked. “He is a really good young driver who has all the passion in the world to race. He is like a lot of the guys in the shop when we were younger, all we ever thought about was racing and winning. I think Cale has the potential to be one of the top drivers in the next few years. All he needs is experience.”

Meeks has been at KHI to watch the growth. “I wasn’t surprised at all that we won the Truck Series championship in 2007,” said Meeks. “I think when Hornaday first joined KHI we had the capabilities of winning but just like in all other sports, luck and circumstances kept us from achieving that goal. I’m really proud of where we are now. I’ve had the opportunity to learn and grow with this team and I think we have nowhere else to go but up.”