{"id":10875,"date":"2017-06-25T20:25:31","date_gmt":"2017-06-26T01:25:31","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/racedaysa.com\/?p=10875"},"modified":"2017-06-25T20:25:31","modified_gmt":"2017-06-26T01:25:31","slug":"kevin-harvick-savors-sonoma-for-first-victory-this-season","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/2017\/06\/25\/kevin-harvick-savors-sonoma-for-first-victory-this-season\/","title":{"rendered":"Kevin Harvick savors Sonoma for first victory this season"},"content":{"rendered":"

By Reid Spencer, NASCAR Wire Service<\/em><\/p>\n

SONOMA, Calif. \u2013 Kevin Harvick<\/strong> won Saturday afternoon’s NASCAR<\/a> K&N Pro Series West event at Sonoma Raceway. That was like taking candy from babies.<\/p>\n

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Kevin Harvick, driver of the #4 Mobil 1 Ford, takes the checkered flag to win the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Toyota\/Save Mart 350 at Sonoma Raceway on June 25, 2017 in Sonoma, California. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton\/Getty Images)<\/p><\/div>\n

But Harvick mixed it up with the big boys in Sunday\u2019s Toyota\/Save Mart 350, and the outcome was the same.<\/p>\n

Executing an ideal strategy for the long green-flag run that consumed the second half of the race\u2014minus roughly 200 yards\u2014Harvick won a Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series event for the first time this season, the first time at Sonoma and the first time in a Ford, after Stewart-Haas Racing made an offseason switch from Chevrolet.<\/p>\n

In winning for the 36th time in 590 career starts, Harvick took the checkered flag under caution after Kasey Kahne\u2019s Chevrolet clobbered the concrete Jersey barriers near the start\/finish line. By then, Harvick had a comfortable lead of more than eight seconds\u2014and just enough fuel in the tank of the No. 4 Ford Fusion to complete a celebratory burnout on the frontstretch.<\/p>\n

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Kevin Harvick, driver of the #4 Mobil 1 Ford, celebrates in victory lane after winning the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Toyota\/Save Mart 350 at Sonoma Raceway on June 25, 2017 in Sonoma, California. (Photo by Matt Sullivan\/Getty Images)<\/p><\/div>\n

\u201cI\u2019m so excited,\u201d Harvick said in Victory Lane. \u201cI think, as you look at it, getting our first win with Ford, this has been a great journey for us as an organization and team. (Teammate) Kurt (Busch) winning the Daytona 500, and we have run well.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s a great day. It finally all came together, and we were able to not have any cautions there at the end. Rodney had great strategy, and I was able to take care of the car and get out front. I felt like the 78 (Martin Truex Jr.) was the car we had to race, and then he had problems and from there we were in control.\u201d<\/p>\n

In fact, Truex led a race-high 25 laps to Harvick\u2019s 24 and won the first stage of the race, but the engine in the No. 78 Toyota dropped a cylinder and finally expired, relegating Truex to a 37th-place finish. Truex handed the series lead back to Kyle Larson, who started on the pole but faded to 26th at the finish, one lap down, after a series of run-ins on the asphalt.<\/p>\n

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Kevin Harvick, driver of the #4 Mobil 1 Ford, does a burnout after winning the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Toyota\/Save Mart 350 at Sonoma Raceway on June 25, 2017 in Sonoma, California. (Photo by Sean Gardner\/Getty Images)<\/p><\/div>\n

Clint Bowyer, Harvick\u2019s Stewart-Haas teammate, was runner-up for the second time this season. Using a contrarian strategy not atypical of his No. 2 Team Penske squad, Brad Keselowski ran third, giving Ford drivers a sweep of the podium positions.<\/p>\n

Denny Hamlin came home fourth, followed by Kyle Busch and Dale Earnhardt Jr., who posted his second straight top 10.<\/p>\n

Playing into the hands of Harvick and crew chief Rodney Childers, the race went green from the Lap 55 restart after the second stage (won by Jimmie Johnson) until the final caution after Kahne\u2019s wreck as Harvick approached the finish line.<\/p>\n

For the Bakersfield, California, native, the Sonoma win was an important item to remove from the bucket list.<\/p>\n

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Kevin Harvick, driver of the #4 Mobil 1 Ford, celebrates his victory during the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Toyota\/Save Mart 350 at Sonoma Raceway on June 25, 2017 in Sonoma, California. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton\/Getty Images)<\/p><\/div>\n

\u201cIt means a ton to finally check this one off the list,\u201d Harvick said. \u201cI feel like we\u2019ve been close a couple times but never put it all together.<\/p>\n

\u201cBeing so close to home and having raced here so much, this was one that was on the top of the list and today we were able to check that box.\u201d<\/p>\n

Bowyer rolled home second in a No. 14 Ford whose battered body exhibited the dents and dings from a litany of on-track incidents, including an early collision with Keselowski\u2019s Ford.<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, let\u2019s face it, short runs have never been my strong suit here,\u201d Bowyer said. \u201cThe long runs are, and thank God we got a long run there. I was out of tires. By the time I got done tearing the hell out of my car, I was out of tires. There was some technical strategy that you\u2019ve got to try to play and get track position, and then, all of a sudden, you\u2019re on the bad side of tires trying to hold guys off and you\u2019re blocking.<\/p>\n

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Kevin Harvick, driver of the #4 Mobil 1 Ford, races during the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Toyota\/Save Mart 350 at Sonoma Raceway on June 25, 2017 in Sonoma, California. (Photo by Chris Trotman\/Getty Images)<\/p><\/div>\n

\u201cThey\u2019re stacked up behind them, and it\u2019s just a recipe for disaster. You know, the 47 car down there (AJ Allmendinger), I just didn\u2019t see him and knocked the whole front end off our car. Somebody else I had a really good run on and I thought they were going to give it to me, and they didn\u2019t. Brad spun me out. So, yeah, one of them days.\u201d<\/p>\n

Five drivers made their Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series debuts on Sunday. Subbing for injured Aric Almirola, Billy Johnson ran 22nd in the No. 43 Richard Petty Motorsports Ford. Israeli driver Alon Day was 32nd, Kevin O\u2019Connell 33rd, Tommy Regan 34th and Josh Bilicki 36th.<\/p>\n

For race results, click here<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Media Center interviews:<\/h3>\n

Kevin Harvick – <\/p>\nhttp:\/\/racedaysa.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/06\/Sonoma_MENCS_Harvick_062517.mp3<\/a><\/audio>\n

Gene Haas and Tony Stewart – <\/p>\nhttp:\/\/racedaysa.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/06\/Sonoma_MENCS_HaasStewart_062517.mp3<\/a><\/audio>\n

Clint Bowyer – <\/p>\nhttp:\/\/racedaysa.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/06\/Sonoma_MENCS_BowyerPostRace.mp3<\/a><\/audio>\n

Brad Kesolowski – <\/p>\nhttp:\/\/racedaysa.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/06\/Sonoma_MENCS_KeselowskiPostRace.mp3<\/a><\/audio>\n

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Cars sit on the grid prior to the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Toyota\/Save Mart 350 at Sonoma Raceway on June 25, 2017 in Sonoma, California. (Photo by Matt Sullivan\/Getty Images)<\/p><\/div>\n

 <\/p>\n

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Oakland Raiders tackle, Marshall Newhouse, talks with Jimmie Johnson, driver of the #48 Lowe’s Chevrolet, prior to the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Toyota\/Save Mart 350 at Sonoma Raceway on June 25, 2017 in Sonoma, California. (Photo by Chris Trotman\/Getty Images)<\/p><\/div>\n

 <\/p>\n

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Jets fly over during the national anthem prior to the start of the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Toyota\/Save Mart 350 at Sonoma Raceway on June 25, 2017 in Sonoma, California. (Photo by Chris Trotman\/Getty Images)<\/p><\/div>\n

 <\/p>\n

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Chase Elliott, driver of the #24 Kelley Blue Book Chevrolet, leads a pack of cars during the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Toyota\/Save Mart 350 at Sonoma Raceway on June 25, 2017 in Sonoma, California. (Photo by Chris Trotman\/Getty Images)<\/p><\/div>\n

 <\/p>\n

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Denny Hamlin, driver of the #11 FedEx Ground Toyota, leads a pack of cars during the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Toyota\/Save Mart 350 at Sonoma Raceway on June 25, 2017 in Sonoma, California. (Photo by Sean Gardner\/Getty Images)<\/p><\/div>\n

 <\/p>\n

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Jimmie Johnson, driver of the #48 Lowe’s Chevrolet, leads a pack of cars during the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Toyota\/Save Mart 350 at Sonoma Raceway on June 25, 2017 in Sonoma, California. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton\/Getty Images)<\/p><\/div>\n

 <\/p>\n

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Brad Keselowski, driver of the #2 Freightliner Elite Support Ford, races during the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Toyota\/Save Mart 350 at Sonoma Raceway on June 25, 2017 in Sonoma, California. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton\/Getty Images)<\/p><\/div>\n

 <\/p>\n

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Kyle Busch, driver of the #18 M&M’s Caramel Toyota, races during the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Toyota\/Save Mart 350 at Sonoma Raceway on June 25, 2017 in Sonoma, California. (Photo by Jonathan Ferrey\/Getty Images)<\/p><\/div>\n

 <\/p>\n

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Kyle Larson, driver of the #42 Target Chevrolet, leads the field to start the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Toyota\/Save Mart 350 at Sonoma Raceway on June 25, 2017 in Sonoma, California. (Photo by Matt Sullivan\/Getty Images)<\/p><\/div>\n

 <\/p>\n

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Martin Truex Jr., driver of the #78 Furniture Row\/Denver Mattress Toyota, races during the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Toyota\/Save Mart 350 at Sonoma Raceway on June 25, 2017 in Sonoma, California. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton\/Getty Images)<\/p><\/div>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

By Reid Spencer, NASCAR Wire Service SONOMA, Calif. \u2013 Kevin Harvick won Saturday afternoon’s NASCAR K&N Pro Series West event at Sonoma Raceway. That was like taking candy from babies. But Harvick mixed it up with the big boys in Sunday\u2019s Toyota\/Save Mart 350, and the outcome was the same. Executing an ideal strategy for the […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":10865,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"ngg_post_thumbnail":0,"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[11],"tags":[95,16,455,454],"class_list":["post-10875","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-nascar","tag-kevin-harvick","tag-nascar","tag-sonoma-raceway","tag-toyotasave-mart-350"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/racedaysa.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/06\/MENCS_Sonoma_HarvickConfetti_062517-e1498436385852.jpg?fit=640%2C427","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p7hzTZ-2Pp","jetpack-related-posts":[],"jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/10875","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=10875"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"http:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/10875\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":10882,"href":"http:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/10875\/revisions\/10882"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/10865"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=10875"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=10875"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=10875"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}