Harvick named NASCAR's top rookie

<br>(Charlotte, North Carolina-AP) -- Kevin Harvick, the man thrust into the late Dale Earnhardt's ride after the seven-time Winston Cup champion was killed in the season-opening Daytona 500, is NASCAR's

Tuesday, November 27th 2001, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

(Charlotte, North Carolina-AP) -- Kevin Harvick, the man thrust into the late Dale Earnhardt's ride after the seven-time Winston Cup champion was killed in the season-opening Daytona 500, is NASCAR's rookie of the year.

The award announcement was made Monday.

Harvick beat out Kurt Busch for the honor.

He won two Winston Cup races this season, had six top-five finishes and 16 top tens. He won more than three million dollars and finished the year in ninth place in the final point standings.