{"id":30726,"date":"2020-08-08T20:00:04","date_gmt":"2020-08-09T01:00:04","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/racedaysa.com\/?p=30726"},"modified":"2020-08-11T18:54:42","modified_gmt":"2020-08-11T23:54:42","slug":"kevin-harvick-continues-impressive-season-with-a-win-at-michigan","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/2020\/08\/08\/kevin-harvick-continues-impressive-season-with-a-win-at-michigan\/","title":{"rendered":"Kevin Harvick continues impressive season with a win at Michigan"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"\"<\/a>

Kevin Harvick, driver of the #4 Busch Light Apple Ford, celebrates in Victory Lane after winning the NASCAR Cup Series FireKeepers Casino 400 at Michigan International Speedway on August 08, 2020 in Brooklyn, Michigan. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton\/Getty Images)<\/p><\/div>\n

 <\/p>\n

By Holly Cain, NASCAR Wire Service<\/em><\/p>\n

In ways both literally and figuratively the NASCAR Cup Series field saw red most of Saturday afternoon \u2013 Kevin Harvick\u2019s red-colored No. 4 Stewart-Haas Racing Ford, which dominated the Firekeepers Casino 400 at Michigan International Speedway – resulting in Harvick\u2019s third Michigan win in the last four races and fourth of his career.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>

Kevin Harvick, driver of the #4 Busch Light Apple Ford, crosses the finish line to win the NASCAR Cup Series FireKeepers Casino 400 at Michigan International Speedway on August 08, 2020 in Brooklyn, Michigan. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton\/Getty Images)<\/p><\/div>\n

Harvick\u2019s red car was out front the majority of the afternoon \u2013 leading a race best 92 of the 161 laps – but five restarts in the final 30 laps  – including an overtime finish \u2013 certainly forced Harvick, 44, “The Closer” to close out the win –  his fifth of the year tying him with Denny Hamlin for most in the series in 2020.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis was just an awesome car to drive today,” Harvick said. \u201cI think the confidence is high when we come to Michigan anyway. It\u2019s a race track that\u2019s been really good to us and for whatever reason just fits our style of cars, everything we do with our cars at Stewart-Haas Racing.<\/p>\n

\u201c[Crew chief] Rodney [Childers] and those guys have given me great race cars every time we\u2019ve come. Just a really, really fast race car today.<\/p>\n

Harvick ultimately edged Michigan native Brad Keselowski by a mere .284-seconds for the victory on a final overtime restart. Martin Truex Jr., Ryan Blaney and Kyle Busch rounded out the top five. Hamlin, Chase Elliott, Joey Logano, Bubba Wallace and Kurt Busch completed the top 10.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>

Kevin Harvick, driver of the #4 Busch Light Apple Ford, drives during the NASCAR Cup Series FireKeepers Casino 400 at Michigan at Michigan International Speedway on August 08, 2020 in Brooklyn, Michigan. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton\/Getty Images)<\/p><\/div>\n

AR Cup Series race at the state\u2019s famed two-miler. \u201cJust not quite strong enough to keep up with Kevin.”<\/p>\n

\u201cKevin [Harvick] is just super-fast on the straightaways and doesn\u2019t give up anything in the corner. We\u2019ve got some work to do.”<\/p>\n

Keselowski was referring to an immediate opportunity – the second half of this Michigan doubleheader weekend, which features another scheduled 156-lapper Sunday, the Consumers Energy 400 (4:30 p.m. ET on NBCSN, MRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio).<\/p>\n

The lineup for Sunday\u2019s race will be set in a unique way \u2013 inverting the Top-20 finishers on Saturday. That means 20th place Chris Buescher and 19th place Clint Bowyer will start out front.<\/p>\n

Perhaps one of the biggest challenges on Saturday was a new element introduced by NASCAR and debuting at Michigan \u2013 the \u201cChoose Rule\u201d \u2013 which allows drivers to pick whether they want to line up in the high or low lane on restarts. The feature got a high-profile, much-tested start with so many restarts in the final laps of the race and was by all accounts post-race, a popular addition.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>

Brad Keselowski, driver of the #2 Discount Tire Ford, races Denny Hamlin, driver of the #11 FedEx Ground Toyota, during the NASCAR Cup Series FireKeepers Casino 400 at Michigan at Michigan International Speedway on August 08, 2020 in Brooklyn, Michigan. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton\/Getty Images)<\/p><\/div>\n

It created another element of drama on the re-starts and certainly forced Harvick to race back around his chief challengers time and again to earn a shot at hoisting the big trophy.<\/p>\n

\u201cFelt like we had a fast car,” said Kyle Busch, the reigning series champion who is still looking for his first victory of the season. \u201cBut it was the best of the rest. The four-car (Harvick) was lights out. He deserved to win the race. It was a race for second today.”<\/p>\n

Harvick continues to lead the championship standings with 10 of the 16 Playoff positions already taken by 2020 race winners. Only 16 points separates 16th place William Byron \u2013 who finished 14th Saturday  \u2013 from 17th place Erik Jones, who finished 11th after running top-10 most of the day.<\/p>\n

Tyler Reddick is 19 points behind the cutoff line and retiring seven-time NASCAR Cup Series champion Jimmie Johnson is only 22 points back.<\/p>\n

Interviews:<\/h3>\n

Kevin Harvick – <\/p>\nhttp:\/\/racedaysa.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/NCS_MIS_Harvick_080820.mp3<\/a><\/audio>\n

 <\/p>\n

Rodney Childers – <\/p>\nhttp:\/\/racedaysa.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/NCS_MIS_Childers_080820.mp3<\/a><\/audio>\n

 <\/p>\n

Brad Keselowski – <\/p>\nhttp:\/\/racedaysa.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/NCS_MIS_Keselowski_080820.mp3<\/a><\/audio>\n

 <\/p>\n

Martin Truex Jr. – <\/p>\nhttp:\/\/racedaysa.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/NCS_MIS_Truex_080820.mp3<\/a><\/audio>\n

 <\/p>\n

NASCAR Cup Series Race – 52nd Firekeepers Casino 400<\/b><\/p>\n

Michigan International Speedway<\/b><\/p>\n

Brooklyn, Michigan<\/b><\/p>\n

Saturday, August 8, 2020<\/b><\/p>\n

               1. (3)  Kevin Harvick, Ford, 161.<\/p>\n

               2. (5)  Brad Keselowski, Ford, 161.<\/p>\n

               3. (12)  Martin Truex Jr., Toyota, 161.<\/p>\n

               4. (11)  Ryan Blaney, Ford, 161.<\/p>\n

               5. (7)  Kyle Busch, Toyota, 161.<\/p>\n

               6. (2)  Denny Hamlin, Toyota, 161.<\/p>\n

               7. (8)  Chase Elliott, Chevrolet, 161.<\/p>\n

               8. (1)  Joey Logano, Ford, 161.<\/p>\n

               9. (24)  Bubba Wallace, Chevrolet, 161.<\/p>\n

               10. (10)  Kurt Busch, Chevrolet, 161.<\/p>\n

               11. (23)  Erik Jones, Toyota, 161.<\/p>\n

               12. (17)  Jimmie Johnson, Chevrolet, 161.<\/p>\n

               13. (29)  Christopher Bell #, Toyota, 161.<\/p>\n

               14. (19)  William Byron, Chevrolet, 161.<\/p>\n

               15. (15)  Matt DiBenedetto, Ford, 161.<\/p>\n

               16. (4)  Aric Almirola, Ford, 161.<\/p>\n

               17. (20)  Matt Kenseth, Chevrolet, 161.<\/p>\n

               18. (14)  Tyler Reddick #, Chevrolet, 161.<\/p>\n

               19. (9)  Clint Bowyer, Ford, 161.<\/p>\n

               20. (22)  Chris Buescher, Ford, 161.<\/p>\n

               21. (6)  Alex Bowman, Chevrolet, 161.<\/p>\n

               22. (36)  Corey LaJoie, Ford, 161.<\/p>\n

               23. (34)  Ty Dillon, Chevrolet, 161.<\/p>\n

               24. (37)  Daniel Suarez, Toyota, 161.<\/p>\n

               25. (35)  Ryan Preece, Chevrolet, 161.<\/p>\n

               26. (26)  JJ Yeley(i), Ford, 161.<\/p>\n

               27. (25)  Quin Houff #, Chevrolet, 161.<\/p>\n

               28. (13)  Ryan Newman, Ford, 161.<\/p>\n

               29. (21)  Michael McDowell, Ford, 161.<\/p>\n

               30. (30)  Reed Sorenson, Chevrolet, 161.<\/p>\n

               31. (18)  Austin Dillon, Chevrolet, 161.<\/p>\n

               32. (32)  Ricky Stenhouse Jr., Chevrolet, 161.<\/p>\n

               33. (38)  Timmy Hill(i), Toyota, 159.<\/p>\n

               34. (16)  Cole Custer #, Ford, Accident, 148.<\/p>\n

               35. (33)  Garrett Smithley(i), Ford, Steering, 141.<\/p>\n

               36. (31)  John Hunter Nemechek #, Ford, Accident, 127.<\/p>\n

               37. (27)  Brennan Poole #, Chevrolet, Engine, 125.<\/p>\n

               38. (28)  James Davison, Ford, 103.<\/p>\n

               39. (39)  Joey Gase(i), Chevrolet, Transmission, 58.<\/p>\n

Average Speed of Race Winner:  124.712 mph.<\/p>\n

Time of Race:  2 Hrs, 34 Mins, 55 Secs. Margin of Victory:  .284 Seconds.<\/p>\n

Caution Flags:  9 for 43 laps.<\/p>\n

Lead Changes:  12 among 7 drivers.<\/p>\n

Lap Leaders:   J. Logano 1-14;D. Hamlin 15;J. Logano 16-19;D. Hamlin 20-22;K. Harvick 23-43;D. Hamlin 44-49;R. Blaney 50-76;K. Harvick 77-106;J. Yeley(i) 107;K. Busch 108-111;K. Harvick 112-138;C. Elliott 139-147;K. Harvick 148-161.<\/p>\n

Leaders Summary (Driver, Times Lead, Laps Led):  Kevin Harvick 4 times for 92 laps; Ryan Blaney 1 time for 27 laps; Joey Logano 2 times for 18 laps; Denny Hamlin 3 times for 10 laps; Chase Elliott 1 time for 9 laps; Kyle Busch 1 time for 4 laps; JJ Yeley(i) 1 time for 1 lap.<\/p>\n

Stage #1 Top Ten: 4,11,12,1,2,20,88,9,18,47<\/p>\n

Stage #2 Top Ten: 4,12,11,20,2,18,1,88,14,48<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

  By Holly Cain, NASCAR Wire Service In ways both literally and figuratively the NASCAR Cup Series field saw red most of Saturday afternoon \u2013 Kevin Harvick\u2019s red-colored No. 4 Stewart-Haas Racing Ford, which dominated the Firekeepers Casino 400 at Michigan International Speedway – resulting in Harvick\u2019s third Michigan win in the last four races […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":676,"featured_media":30733,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"ngg_post_thumbnail":0,"_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},"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[11],"tags":[95,219,16],"class_list":["post-30726","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-nascar","tag-kevin-harvick","tag-michigan-international-speedway","tag-nascar"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/racedaysa.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/NCS_MIS_Celebrate_080820-scaled-e1597189844558.jpg?fit=640%2C427","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p7hzTZ-7ZA","jetpack-related-posts":[],"jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/30726","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\/676"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=30726"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"http:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/30726\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":30737,"href":"http:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/30726\/revisions\/30737"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/30733"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=30726"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=30726"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=30726"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}