Kevin Harvick’s win Sunday at Michigan International Speedway did more than cement his position in the 2010 “Chase” for NASCAR’s season championship. It also solidified the comeback of Richard Childress Racing (RCR).

A less than stellar 2009, coupled with rumors of dissatisfaction with his RCR contract didn’t bode well for a continued charge in the #29 for “Happy Harvick.”

What a difference a year can make.

Today, leading the Sprint Cup point standings, Harvick is coming off his third victory of the season. Taking the checkered flag in Sunday’s Carfax 400 also resulted in his 14th career trip to victory lane.

And as for the rest of the RCR stable, Clint Bowyer, driver of the #33 Chevy, leapfrogged an aging and struggling Mark Martin for the 12th and final spot in the Championship Chase. Meanwhile, Jeff Burton, driver of the #31 Chevy, is solidly in the Chase field, currently sitting in the seventh position.

While virtually anything can happen during the final three races prior to the start of NASCAR’s version of a playoff, past performances at Bristol, Atlanta and Richmond point toward the RCR threesome all making the cut for the 12 qualifying Chase positions.