NASCAR Preview: Harvick win means Chase all but guaranteed

LAS VEGAS - A NASCAR Sprint Cup Series victory?

That's gold, Jerry. Gold.

Actually, winning a NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race might be better than gold.

Never in the 65-year history of the series has a win held this much importance. It means more than a trophy, and a trip to victory lane.

In all likelihood, it means a berth in the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup; a chance at a championship. It means hope.

Dale Earnhardt, Jr. knows the feeling, winning the Daytona 500 and admitting he can now take bigger swings in the hopes of piling up victory after victory.

And now Kevin Harvick knows the spoils of a victory. His dominant