Crystal Titus
|
|
Kevin Harvick
June 10th, 2018
FireKeepers Casino 400
Michigan International Speedway
Brooklyn, Michigan
60, 60, 80= 200 laps
Rain, rain, rain, more rain, we want to see a race. As driver intros began, just before the rain began to fall, I parked my walker, bags, and self on the pit patio, under the suites. I was in the perfect spot behind the No.14 pit stall. I have been at the track for two of Kevin Harvick’s wins this year. I was in the stands at Atlanta and Charlotte for his All-Star win.
NASCAR called for a competition caution on lap 25. As driver introductions concluded, along with the prayer and anthem, the rain began to fall. We would end up with a 2.5-hour rain delay before getting the command to start engines. By the looks of the radar, it would be a race to halfway which was the end of Stage 2, also known as lap 120.
Kevin Harvick qualified in the 4th position, however, he would start in the 3rd position due to three of the Joe Gibbs Racing cars starting from the rear for failing pre-race inspection. From the beginning, Fords were looking strong as the first 7 seven cars were all Ford. On lap 20 he would be scored in the 2nd position, in his Jimmy John’s Ford.
The 1st caution would fly on lap 25 for the competition caution. Under caution he informed his crew that he had a vibration the whole run. They discussed the situation, however, it did not affect how fast the car was. While he hit pit road along with the rest of the field, crew chief Rodney Childers called for two tires and fuel. He would leave pit road 2nd, ready for the race restart on lap 29.
The 2nd caution would fly on lap 36 for the No.38 of David Ragan, and the No.43 of Bubba Wallace. Harvick would be scored in the 3rd position. The race would restart on lap 39. Things would be kind of quiet on the No.4 team radio. On lap 55 he would inform his team that he was tight everywhere since the two-tire stop. He had fallen back to the 6th position.
The No.6 car of Matt Kenseth would bring out the 3rd caution on lap 56. This caution would set up a one-lap shootout to the end of stage caution. NASCAR would keep the pits closed during this caution as it was so close to the stage end. The race would restart on lap 59, he was scored in the 6th position. During the one-lap shootout, he would gain two positions.
When the 4th caution flag flew on lap 60 signaling the end of Stage 1, Harvick would be scored in the 6th position gaining 7 bonus points. On lap 62 he would pit for four tires, fuel, and air pressure and wedge adjustments. He would enter and leave the pits in the 4th position, however, he would restart in the 6th position due to two cars staying out on the track. Both cars that stayed out would have to go to the rear as they both pitted before the pits were officially opened. He would officially restart in the 4th position.
When the 5th caution flag flew on lap 64 for the No.19 of Daniel Suarez, Harvick would be scored in the 2nd position. The rain was still in the area and inching closer to the track minute by minute. Spotter Timmy Fedewa was heard on the radio saying, “Don’t know if it's gonna rain, snow, or what? But it keeps getting darker and foggier.” The race would restart on lap 72, with Harvick in the lead.
Kyle Larson in the No.42 car would bring out caution flag No.6 on lap 87. The teams were now preparing to just make it official on lap 120. Harvick would be scored as the race leader. He would hit pit road for two tires and fuel. Winning the race off pit road, however, he would be scored in 3rd as two other cars stayed out. One would have to pit so he would officially restart in the 2nd position. Stewart-Haas Racing was great on pit road getting 3 of their 4 teams off of pit road, 1-2-3.
On the lap 90 restart, Harvick would reclaim the lead. He would begin to school the field again as the fresh air fueled his car and he stretched his lead. Harvick would have more than a 2 second lead at the time of the 7th caution on lap 120 signaling the end of Stage 2. Harvick would gain 10 bonus points. Harvick would pit for four tires, fuel, wedge, and air pressure adjustments. His crew was freaky fast as he was the first car with four tires.
The rain was getting closer and it was starting to fall at the track. On lap 129 the 8th caution of the race would fly for the No.17 of Ricky Stenhouse Jr., as well as rain falling. NASCAR would throw the red flag and call the race official.
Kevin Harvick finished in the 2nd position.
Race winner teammate Clint Bowyer.
Stewart- Haas Racing makes history for the team finishing 1-2-3. Bowyer, Harvick, Kurt Busch.
Harvick is currently 2nd in the point standings.
A quote from Harvick’s Stewart-Haas Racing post-race report:
“It was a weird day. If you are going to have rain kind of take one from you, I would rather give it to my teammate. I am happy for Clint and all the guys on the 14 team. Everyone on our car did a great job. I had a really fast car, and the pit crew was the best thing that happened all day. They were solid all day and kept us up front. That, to me, is the best thing that came out of today.”
Follow and chat with me here: @CrystalDTitus
Shop here now for Kevin Harvick gear!
June 10th, 2018
FireKeepers Casino 400
Michigan International Speedway
Brooklyn, Michigan
60, 60, 80= 200 laps
Rain, rain, rain, more rain, we want to see a race. As driver intros began, just before the rain began to fall, I parked my walker, bags, and self on the pit patio, under the suites. I was in the perfect spot behind the No.14 pit stall. I have been at the track for two of Kevin Harvick’s wins this year. I was in the stands at Atlanta and Charlotte for his All-Star win.
NASCAR called for a competition caution on lap 25. As driver introductions concluded, along with the prayer and anthem, the rain began to fall. We would end up with a 2.5-hour rain delay before getting the command to start engines. By the looks of the radar, it would be a race to halfway which was the end of Stage 2, also known as lap 120.
Kevin Harvick qualified in the 4th position, however, he would start in the 3rd position due to three of the Joe Gibbs Racing cars starting from the rear for failing pre-race inspection. From the beginning, Fords were looking strong as the first 7 seven cars were all Ford. On lap 20 he would be scored in the 2nd position, in his Jimmy John’s Ford.
The 1st caution would fly on lap 25 for the competition caution. Under caution he informed his crew that he had a vibration the whole run. They discussed the situation, however, it did not affect how fast the car was. While he hit pit road along with the rest of the field, crew chief Rodney Childers called for two tires and fuel. He would leave pit road 2nd, ready for the race restart on lap 29.
The 2nd caution would fly on lap 36 for the No.38 of David Ragan, and the No.43 of Bubba Wallace. Harvick would be scored in the 3rd position. The race would restart on lap 39. Things would be kind of quiet on the No.4 team radio. On lap 55 he would inform his team that he was tight everywhere since the two-tire stop. He had fallen back to the 6th position.
The No.6 car of Matt Kenseth would bring out the 3rd caution on lap 56. This caution would set up a one-lap shootout to the end of stage caution. NASCAR would keep the pits closed during this caution as it was so close to the stage end. The race would restart on lap 59, he was scored in the 6th position. During the one-lap shootout, he would gain two positions.
When the 4th caution flag flew on lap 60 signaling the end of Stage 1, Harvick would be scored in the 6th position gaining 7 bonus points. On lap 62 he would pit for four tires, fuel, and air pressure and wedge adjustments. He would enter and leave the pits in the 4th position, however, he would restart in the 6th position due to two cars staying out on the track. Both cars that stayed out would have to go to the rear as they both pitted before the pits were officially opened. He would officially restart in the 4th position.
When the 5th caution flag flew on lap 64 for the No.19 of Daniel Suarez, Harvick would be scored in the 2nd position. The rain was still in the area and inching closer to the track minute by minute. Spotter Timmy Fedewa was heard on the radio saying, “Don’t know if it's gonna rain, snow, or what? But it keeps getting darker and foggier.” The race would restart on lap 72, with Harvick in the lead.
Kyle Larson in the No.42 car would bring out caution flag No.6 on lap 87. The teams were now preparing to just make it official on lap 120. Harvick would be scored as the race leader. He would hit pit road for two tires and fuel. Winning the race off pit road, however, he would be scored in 3rd as two other cars stayed out. One would have to pit so he would officially restart in the 2nd position. Stewart-Haas Racing was great on pit road getting 3 of their 4 teams off of pit road, 1-2-3.
On the lap 90 restart, Harvick would reclaim the lead. He would begin to school the field again as the fresh air fueled his car and he stretched his lead. Harvick would have more than a 2 second lead at the time of the 7th caution on lap 120 signaling the end of Stage 2. Harvick would gain 10 bonus points. Harvick would pit for four tires, fuel, wedge, and air pressure adjustments. His crew was freaky fast as he was the first car with four tires.
The rain was getting closer and it was starting to fall at the track. On lap 129 the 8th caution of the race would fly for the No.17 of Ricky Stenhouse Jr., as well as rain falling. NASCAR would throw the red flag and call the race official.
Kevin Harvick finished in the 2nd position.
Race winner teammate Clint Bowyer.
Stewart- Haas Racing makes history for the team finishing 1-2-3. Bowyer, Harvick, Kurt Busch.
Harvick is currently 2nd in the point standings.
A quote from Harvick’s Stewart-Haas Racing post-race report:
“It was a weird day. If you are going to have rain kind of take one from you, I would rather give it to my teammate. I am happy for Clint and all the guys on the 14 team. Everyone on our car did a great job. I had a really fast car, and the pit crew was the best thing that happened all day. They were solid all day and kept us up front. That, to me, is the best thing that came out of today.”
Follow and chat with me here: @CrystalDTitus
Shop here now for Kevin Harvick gear!
|
|
|
FireKeepers Casino 400 Preview
June 6, 2018
Michigan International Speedway
Brooklyn, Michigan
Sunday, June 10, 2018
60, 60 , 80= 200 laps.
Michigan International Speedway is nestled in the Irish Hills of Michigan. The track is a 2 mile D-shaped oval. This year, the track is celebrating 50 years of racing. MIS is also known as the sister track to Texas Motor Speedway and this track was also used as a baseline for Auto Club Speedway in Fontana, CA.
The track was built in 1967 and then purchased by Roger Penske in 1972. During Penske’s time of ownership, he revamped the track many times, renaming the track simply "Michigan Speedway". When the track was purchased by ISC in 1999, this purchase resulted in the merger of Roger Penske Motorsports International with International Speedway Corporation. The name of the speedway went back to the original name, Michigan International Speedway.
Kevin Harvick will be sponsored by Jimmy John’s this week. He has 34 starts at MIS. He has qualified as high as the Pole and as low as 38th. He has 1 Win, 10 top 5 ’s, 15 top 10 ’s and 1 DNF. His team is on fire this year with 5 wins. He has been one of the best this season. Harvick has the potential to find Victory Lane again at MIS.
NOTE: If you are going to be around the track this week, let me know. I will be in the pits and on the pit patio this weekend. Send me a tweet @CrystalDTitus and maybe we can trade hellos. Also, if I hear anything about a Harvick appearance I will be sure to tweet it out. LET'S GO Harvick!
A quote from Harvick’s Stewart-Haas Racing pre-race report:
What does it take to have a good finish at Michigan?
“How you finish at Michigan depends on how your day is going. If you’re having a good day, it’s not really hard to tell your guys what you need and everyone is in a good mood. If you’re having a bad day, you can get behind at Michigan really fast. Usually, when you’re hooked up at Michigan, the leaders have clean air and move through traffic pretty well. But, if you’re in the middle of the pack, you find yourself getting behind and going a lap down pretty quickly. You’re going to end up with a green-flag pit stop and a whole bunch of green-flag laps. You just have to be going from the time the green flag drops and keep yourself in position at the end.”
Follow and chat with me here: @CrystalDTitus
Shop here now for Kevin Harvick gear!
June 6, 2018
Michigan International Speedway
Brooklyn, Michigan
Sunday, June 10, 2018
60, 60 , 80= 200 laps.
Michigan International Speedway is nestled in the Irish Hills of Michigan. The track is a 2 mile D-shaped oval. This year, the track is celebrating 50 years of racing. MIS is also known as the sister track to Texas Motor Speedway and this track was also used as a baseline for Auto Club Speedway in Fontana, CA.
The track was built in 1967 and then purchased by Roger Penske in 1972. During Penske’s time of ownership, he revamped the track many times, renaming the track simply "Michigan Speedway". When the track was purchased by ISC in 1999, this purchase resulted in the merger of Roger Penske Motorsports International with International Speedway Corporation. The name of the speedway went back to the original name, Michigan International Speedway.
Kevin Harvick will be sponsored by Jimmy John’s this week. He has 34 starts at MIS. He has qualified as high as the Pole and as low as 38th. He has 1 Win, 10 top 5 ’s, 15 top 10 ’s and 1 DNF. His team is on fire this year with 5 wins. He has been one of the best this season. Harvick has the potential to find Victory Lane again at MIS.
NOTE: If you are going to be around the track this week, let me know. I will be in the pits and on the pit patio this weekend. Send me a tweet @CrystalDTitus and maybe we can trade hellos. Also, if I hear anything about a Harvick appearance I will be sure to tweet it out. LET'S GO Harvick!
A quote from Harvick’s Stewart-Haas Racing pre-race report:
What does it take to have a good finish at Michigan?
“How you finish at Michigan depends on how your day is going. If you’re having a good day, it’s not really hard to tell your guys what you need and everyone is in a good mood. If you’re having a bad day, you can get behind at Michigan really fast. Usually, when you’re hooked up at Michigan, the leaders have clean air and move through traffic pretty well. But, if you’re in the middle of the pack, you find yourself getting behind and going a lap down pretty quickly. You’re going to end up with a green-flag pit stop and a whole bunch of green-flag laps. You just have to be going from the time the green flag drops and keep yourself in position at the end.”
Follow and chat with me here: @CrystalDTitus
Shop here now for Kevin Harvick gear!
The No. 4 @JimmyJohns Ford Fusion is heading to the Irish Hills with winning on their mind. @KevinHarvick has been among the best in the series at @MISpeedway in recent years and hopes to continue that success.
— Stewart-Haas Racing (@StewartHaasRcng) June 5, 2018
Tap the ❤️ if you want to see him in VL.https://t.co/MCtOY14Qax pic.twitter.com/lPK0VfHxYj
Pocono 400
June 3rd, 2018
“Tricky Triangle”
Pocono Raceway
LongPond, PA
50,50,60 = 160 laps
Battle of the Beers Busch Edition
Kevin Harvick qualified 2nd for Sunday’s race at the Tricky Triangle. Harvick would race past the No.12 of Ryan Blaney on lap 12. By this time it would not take him long to start schooling the field, his lead would lengthen in no time. He informed his crew that his car was also losing rear grip, by lap 22.
Green flag pit stops would be in the process, crew chief Rodney Childers would call his driver down pit road on lap 25 for four tires, fuel, and an air pressure adjustment. As the field would continue to cycle he would settle back into the 2nd position, as the leader was yet to pit. Once the leader made his pit stop, Harvick would return to the lead on lap 35.
The 1st caution of the race would fly on lap 50 signaling the end of Segment 1. Harvick would be scored in the 2nd position gaining 9 bonus points. The No.4 would hit pit road for four tires, fuel, and adjustments. He would be the first car on fresh tires. On the lap 56 restart, he would race his way back into the lead. A piece of trash would attach itself to his grill on lap 63. He had a 3.3-second lead. He would pit again for the 2nd green flag stop of the race on lap 78. He would give up the lead for four tires and fuel. As the field would recycle back around, the No.4 would return to the lead on lap 82.
The 2nd caution flag of the day would fly on lap 100 signaling the end of Segment 2. Harvick would be scored as the race leader. He would gain 10 bonus points. Just before the lap 105 restart, Childers informed his driver, “Felt like in clean air you were a little better than everybody.” Not long after the restart Harvick would lead his 900th lap of this season. He was only 9 laps away from leading the 12,000th lap of his career.
Harvick would inform his team on lap 120, that he was pretty good, just got a little tight on the longer runs. The 3rd caution of the race would fly on lap 124 for the No.99 car of Derrick Cope getting help from the No.42 car of Kyle Larson and spinning out. Harvick would hit pit road under caution, for four tires, fuel, and adjustments. and lose one position, however, he would have enough fuel, if a green and white checkered flag finish happened. He would restart on lap 130 in the 2nd position. He would fall back to the 3rd position on the restart.
On lap 139 the 4th caution of the race would fly for a debris caution. It seemed as though a heel bootie from a driver’s shoe was tossed out onto the track. Harvick was still scored in the 3rd position. The team elected to stay out under the caution and he would restart in the 2nd position on lap 144. Under the caution they talked about what needed to be done to defeat the No.18 of Kyle Busch, and that it needed to be the opposite of what his team was doing. That is why the No.4 stayed out. Childers said, “I don’t think we’re gonna beat them this week doing the same thing they do.”
With 14 laps to go the 5th caution came out again, the No.11 of Denny Hamlin got loose and collected the No.88 of Alex Bowman. The race would restart with 10 laps remaining. Harvick was scored in the 4th position. As the race restarted the 6th caution flag would fly immediately for the No.20 of Erik Jones spinning. The race would restart with 7 laps remaining.
Harvick finished 4th
Winner Martin Truex Jr.
Harvick is currently 2nd in the point standings.
Follow and chat with me here: @CrystalDTitus
Shop here now for Kevin Harvick gear!
June 3rd, 2018
“Tricky Triangle”
Pocono Raceway
LongPond, PA
50,50,60 = 160 laps
Battle of the Beers Busch Edition
Kevin Harvick qualified 2nd for Sunday’s race at the Tricky Triangle. Harvick would race past the No.12 of Ryan Blaney on lap 12. By this time it would not take him long to start schooling the field, his lead would lengthen in no time. He informed his crew that his car was also losing rear grip, by lap 22.
Green flag pit stops would be in the process, crew chief Rodney Childers would call his driver down pit road on lap 25 for four tires, fuel, and an air pressure adjustment. As the field would continue to cycle he would settle back into the 2nd position, as the leader was yet to pit. Once the leader made his pit stop, Harvick would return to the lead on lap 35.
The 1st caution of the race would fly on lap 50 signaling the end of Segment 1. Harvick would be scored in the 2nd position gaining 9 bonus points. The No.4 would hit pit road for four tires, fuel, and adjustments. He would be the first car on fresh tires. On the lap 56 restart, he would race his way back into the lead. A piece of trash would attach itself to his grill on lap 63. He had a 3.3-second lead. He would pit again for the 2nd green flag stop of the race on lap 78. He would give up the lead for four tires and fuel. As the field would recycle back around, the No.4 would return to the lead on lap 82.
The 2nd caution flag of the day would fly on lap 100 signaling the end of Segment 2. Harvick would be scored as the race leader. He would gain 10 bonus points. Just before the lap 105 restart, Childers informed his driver, “Felt like in clean air you were a little better than everybody.” Not long after the restart Harvick would lead his 900th lap of this season. He was only 9 laps away from leading the 12,000th lap of his career.
Harvick would inform his team on lap 120, that he was pretty good, just got a little tight on the longer runs. The 3rd caution of the race would fly on lap 124 for the No.99 car of Derrick Cope getting help from the No.42 car of Kyle Larson and spinning out. Harvick would hit pit road under caution, for four tires, fuel, and adjustments. and lose one position, however, he would have enough fuel, if a green and white checkered flag finish happened. He would restart on lap 130 in the 2nd position. He would fall back to the 3rd position on the restart.
On lap 139 the 4th caution of the race would fly for a debris caution. It seemed as though a heel bootie from a driver’s shoe was tossed out onto the track. Harvick was still scored in the 3rd position. The team elected to stay out under the caution and he would restart in the 2nd position on lap 144. Under the caution they talked about what needed to be done to defeat the No.18 of Kyle Busch, and that it needed to be the opposite of what his team was doing. That is why the No.4 stayed out. Childers said, “I don’t think we’re gonna beat them this week doing the same thing they do.”
With 14 laps to go the 5th caution came out again, the No.11 of Denny Hamlin got loose and collected the No.88 of Alex Bowman. The race would restart with 10 laps remaining. Harvick was scored in the 4th position. As the race restarted the 6th caution flag would fly immediately for the No.20 of Erik Jones spinning. The race would restart with 7 laps remaining.
Harvick finished 4th
Winner Martin Truex Jr.
Harvick is currently 2nd in the point standings.
Follow and chat with me here: @CrystalDTitus
Shop here now for Kevin Harvick gear!
|
|
Pocono 400
June 1, 2018
“Tricky Triangle”
Pocono Raceway
Long Pond, PA
Sunday June 3rd, 2018
50,50,60 = 160 laps
Track Size: 2.5-mile Tri-oval (three turns)
Banking:
Turn 1: 14 degrees
Turn 2: 8 degrees
Turn 3: 6 degrees
The “Tricky Triangle” is nestled in the Pocono Mountains, in Long Pond, Pennsylvania. This track is one of the few tracks left on the circuit not owned by Speedway Motorsports, Inc. or International Speedway Corporation. It is owned by the Igdalsky brothers, formerly owned by the Mattioli family.
This week Kevin Harvick is back in the Busch Beer paint scheme. He has a competition with teammate Clint Bowyer in the No. 14 who will be driving the Busch Light Beer car. Pocono is one of only two tracks on the circuit where Harvick has yet to score a cup series win.
Kevin Harvick has 34 starts at the Tricky Triangle. He has no wins (yet) , 10 top 5’s, 15 top 10’s and 3 DNFs. He has qualified as high as 2nd and as low as 32nd. The last time the Cup Series raced at Pocono, he came in second. Can he end up in victory lane this weekend to redeem a horrible weekend last weekend at the Coca-Cola 600?
A couple of good quotes from Kevin Harvick’s Stewart-Haas Racing pre-race report:
What are your thoughts on heading to Pocono this week?
“As we go to Pocono, we obviously want to win there, especially since its one of the two tracks we haven’t won at. I know that Rodney (Childers, crew chief) and the organization itself has put a lot of effort into that particular weekend trying to get to victory lane and take that race off the list. It’s a place I enjoy going – not so much the place I enjoyed going in my previous life before I came to Stewart-Haas Racing. It was never a track we ran very well at, but we’ve come to find out that if you have the cars where they need to be and the people around you, things are much different. So, Pocono is a place that I’ve learned to enjoy more than I did in my previous life at RCR.”
What will it be like having your teammate Clint Bowyer racing in the No. 14 Busch Light Ford?
“I’ve been with Clint Bowyer since the first time he sat in a stock car at RCR and used to go test with him. We’ve enjoyed a lot of beers together and have had a lot of fun times. Clint is a huge asset to the race team. He’s already scored a big win at Martinsville and is sitting in the top-10 in points. It’s great to see him performing well, but we also love to give each other a hard time. Having Busch and Busch Light on our respective cars this week is just another opportunity to have some fun and compete against each other like we do every week."
Follow and chat with me here: @CrystalDTitus
Shop here now for Kevin Harvick gear!
June 1, 2018
“Tricky Triangle”
Pocono Raceway
Long Pond, PA
Sunday June 3rd, 2018
50,50,60 = 160 laps
Track Size: 2.5-mile Tri-oval (three turns)
Banking:
Turn 1: 14 degrees
Turn 2: 8 degrees
Turn 3: 6 degrees
The “Tricky Triangle” is nestled in the Pocono Mountains, in Long Pond, Pennsylvania. This track is one of the few tracks left on the circuit not owned by Speedway Motorsports, Inc. or International Speedway Corporation. It is owned by the Igdalsky brothers, formerly owned by the Mattioli family.
This week Kevin Harvick is back in the Busch Beer paint scheme. He has a competition with teammate Clint Bowyer in the No. 14 who will be driving the Busch Light Beer car. Pocono is one of only two tracks on the circuit where Harvick has yet to score a cup series win.
Kevin Harvick has 34 starts at the Tricky Triangle. He has no wins (yet) , 10 top 5’s, 15 top 10’s and 3 DNFs. He has qualified as high as 2nd and as low as 32nd. The last time the Cup Series raced at Pocono, he came in second. Can he end up in victory lane this weekend to redeem a horrible weekend last weekend at the Coca-Cola 600?
A couple of good quotes from Kevin Harvick’s Stewart-Haas Racing pre-race report:
What are your thoughts on heading to Pocono this week?
“As we go to Pocono, we obviously want to win there, especially since its one of the two tracks we haven’t won at. I know that Rodney (Childers, crew chief) and the organization itself has put a lot of effort into that particular weekend trying to get to victory lane and take that race off the list. It’s a place I enjoy going – not so much the place I enjoyed going in my previous life before I came to Stewart-Haas Racing. It was never a track we ran very well at, but we’ve come to find out that if you have the cars where they need to be and the people around you, things are much different. So, Pocono is a place that I’ve learned to enjoy more than I did in my previous life at RCR.”
What will it be like having your teammate Clint Bowyer racing in the No. 14 Busch Light Ford?
“I’ve been with Clint Bowyer since the first time he sat in a stock car at RCR and used to go test with him. We’ve enjoyed a lot of beers together and have had a lot of fun times. Clint is a huge asset to the race team. He’s already scored a big win at Martinsville and is sitting in the top-10 in points. It’s great to see him performing well, but we also love to give each other a hard time. Having Busch and Busch Light on our respective cars this week is just another opportunity to have some fun and compete against each other like we do every week."
Follow and chat with me here: @CrystalDTitus
Shop here now for Kevin Harvick gear!
|
|
Coca-Cola 600
May 27th, 2018
Charlotte Motor Speedway
Concord, North Carolina
100,100,100,100= 400 laps or 600 miles
The Million Dollar Celebration and Thoughts of a 600 Win come to an end early
Kevin Harvick’s car failed to pass pre-qualifying inspection. As a result, he would start 39th and car chief Robert “Cheddar” Smith was ejected from the track. Harvick’s car failed inspection three times before qualifying. Not only did he lose his car chief, he also got a 30-minute practice hold. Have no fear, it could make it interesting. Let's see the Mobil 1/Busch Light car move through the field. #4thewin #4tothefront
By lap 10, he had made his way from the 39th position all the way up to the 22nd position. As lap 33 came around he was up to the 13th position.
The first caution would fly for the No. 3 car of Austin Dillon having a right rear tire issue on lap 35. Harvick was scored all the way up in the 11th position. His car was looking great. He would pit under caution for four tires and fuel, as well as an air pressure adjustment. He would restart in the 9th position on lap 42. He would make his way up to the 6th position on lap 44.
The No. 4 would break into the top-5 by lap 67, being scored in the 4th position at the time. His car was looking like it could be a contender for the win early. However, the night went south on lap 83 when the No. 4 cut a right front tire down, ending his night after the team could not make the repairs in the 6 minutes allotted on the damage clock.
Harvick would finish in the 40th position.
Race Winner Kyle Busch
A quote from Kevin Harvick’s Stewart-Haas Racing post-race report:
Any indication why the tire went down?
“No, we stood in the garage and looked at it, and I can’t tell if we ran something over. There are enough things that could have happened right there, but I’m just really proud of everybody on our Mobil 1/Busch Ford. The car was really, really fast. We came all the way through the pack and made it up into the top-three there, and sometimes those things happen. I can’t complain about anything that’s happened this year. We have to take the good with the bad. The guys did a great job in basically guessing at where the car needed to be today with all the penalties, no practice and starting in the back. To come out and have the fastest car again was quite an honor to drive, and they’re doing a great job. It was just bad luck.”
Follow and chat with me here: @CrystalDTitus
Shop now for Kevin Harvick gear!
May 27th, 2018
Charlotte Motor Speedway
Concord, North Carolina
100,100,100,100= 400 laps or 600 miles
The Million Dollar Celebration and Thoughts of a 600 Win come to an end early
Kevin Harvick’s car failed to pass pre-qualifying inspection. As a result, he would start 39th and car chief Robert “Cheddar” Smith was ejected from the track. Harvick’s car failed inspection three times before qualifying. Not only did he lose his car chief, he also got a 30-minute practice hold. Have no fear, it could make it interesting. Let's see the Mobil 1/Busch Light car move through the field. #4thewin #4tothefront
By lap 10, he had made his way from the 39th position all the way up to the 22nd position. As lap 33 came around he was up to the 13th position.
The first caution would fly for the No. 3 car of Austin Dillon having a right rear tire issue on lap 35. Harvick was scored all the way up in the 11th position. His car was looking great. He would pit under caution for four tires and fuel, as well as an air pressure adjustment. He would restart in the 9th position on lap 42. He would make his way up to the 6th position on lap 44.
The No. 4 would break into the top-5 by lap 67, being scored in the 4th position at the time. His car was looking like it could be a contender for the win early. However, the night went south on lap 83 when the No. 4 cut a right front tire down, ending his night after the team could not make the repairs in the 6 minutes allotted on the damage clock.
Harvick would finish in the 40th position.
Race Winner Kyle Busch
A quote from Kevin Harvick’s Stewart-Haas Racing post-race report:
Any indication why the tire went down?
“No, we stood in the garage and looked at it, and I can’t tell if we ran something over. There are enough things that could have happened right there, but I’m just really proud of everybody on our Mobil 1/Busch Ford. The car was really, really fast. We came all the way through the pack and made it up into the top-three there, and sometimes those things happen. I can’t complain about anything that’s happened this year. We have to take the good with the bad. The guys did a great job in basically guessing at where the car needed to be today with all the penalties, no practice and starting in the back. To come out and have the fastest car again was quite an honor to drive, and they’re doing a great job. It was just bad luck.”
Follow and chat with me here: @CrystalDTitus
Shop now for Kevin Harvick gear!
|
|
Coca-Cola 600 Preview
May 27th, 2018
Charlotte Motor Speedway
Concord, North Carolina
100,100,100,100= 400 laps or 600 miles
Charlotte Motor Speedway is located right in the backyard of Race City USA, a.k.a. Mooresville, North Carolina. The track sits right on the line of Mecklenburg and Cabarrus Counties in North Carolina. It is known as the home track for almost all of the NASCAR teams. The track is commonly just called Charlotte because Charlotte is the biggest nearby city. The track length equals a total of 1.5 miles. This is the longest race of the year, as it goes for 600 miles or 400 laps. There will be four, 100 lap segments.
Kevin Harvick has 33 starts here. He has qualified as high as the pole and as low as 32nd. He has three points wins, with the last coming in October 2014. Harvick has 2 DNFs in Charlotte, but has also scored 16 top 10’s and 8 top 5 finishes. His most recent win here came in the All-star Race last weekend. During this week's qualifying, the team failed to get through pre-qualifying inspection, so they will start 39th. This also resulted in NASCAR ejecting his car chief, Robert "Cheddar" Smith, for the weekend. Look for it to be a show, as it is a long race and he can make it to the front.
This race is a great salute to all forms of military servicemen and women. Harvick will carry the name of Lance Cpl. Patrick Ryan Adle, from Bel Air, Maryland. He served in the United States Marine Corps. He was killed near Baghdad, Iraq on June 29th, 2004, when an improvised explosive device detonated near their vehicle.
A quote from Harvick’s, Stewart-Haas Racing pre-race report:
What does it mean to honor and remember a military member on your No. 4 Mobil 1/Busch Beer Ford Fusion this Memorial Day weekend?
“There isn’t any sport that honors the military any better than NASCAR. I know a lot of sports do a lot of things for our military but, when you roll into this particular weekend with the Coke 600 and you are a part of the celebration and remembrance for all the things that have happened with our military, to see the support that NASCAR and everybody in our garage gives the military, especially on this particular weekend, is something that gives you goosebumps. We are honored to carry the names on our cars."
Follow and chat with me here: @CrystalDTitus
Shop now for Kevin Harvick gear!
May 27th, 2018
Charlotte Motor Speedway
Concord, North Carolina
100,100,100,100= 400 laps or 600 miles
Charlotte Motor Speedway is located right in the backyard of Race City USA, a.k.a. Mooresville, North Carolina. The track sits right on the line of Mecklenburg and Cabarrus Counties in North Carolina. It is known as the home track for almost all of the NASCAR teams. The track is commonly just called Charlotte because Charlotte is the biggest nearby city. The track length equals a total of 1.5 miles. This is the longest race of the year, as it goes for 600 miles or 400 laps. There will be four, 100 lap segments.
Kevin Harvick has 33 starts here. He has qualified as high as the pole and as low as 32nd. He has three points wins, with the last coming in October 2014. Harvick has 2 DNFs in Charlotte, but has also scored 16 top 10’s and 8 top 5 finishes. His most recent win here came in the All-star Race last weekend. During this week's qualifying, the team failed to get through pre-qualifying inspection, so they will start 39th. This also resulted in NASCAR ejecting his car chief, Robert "Cheddar" Smith, for the weekend. Look for it to be a show, as it is a long race and he can make it to the front.
This race is a great salute to all forms of military servicemen and women. Harvick will carry the name of Lance Cpl. Patrick Ryan Adle, from Bel Air, Maryland. He served in the United States Marine Corps. He was killed near Baghdad, Iraq on June 29th, 2004, when an improvised explosive device detonated near their vehicle.
A quote from Harvick’s, Stewart-Haas Racing pre-race report:
What does it mean to honor and remember a military member on your No. 4 Mobil 1/Busch Beer Ford Fusion this Memorial Day weekend?
“There isn’t any sport that honors the military any better than NASCAR. I know a lot of sports do a lot of things for our military but, when you roll into this particular weekend with the Coke 600 and you are a part of the celebration and remembrance for all the things that have happened with our military, to see the support that NASCAR and everybody in our garage gives the military, especially on this particular weekend, is something that gives you goosebumps. We are honored to carry the names on our cars."
Follow and chat with me here: @CrystalDTitus
Shop now for Kevin Harvick gear!
All-Star Race
Saturday, May 19th, 2018
Charlotte Motor Speedway
Concord, North Carolina
30, 20, 20, 10 = 90 laps
Kevin Harvick and his team qualified 4th for the All-Star Race. This race is a big "no points" race, for $1 Million. During the qualifying laps, the driver must come down pit road and make a four-tire pit stop. The pit stop, like any other, can make or break you. Harvick was sponsored by Jimmy John’s for the race.
On lap 2, Harvick’s car was already fast at the drop of the green flag. The 1st caution flag would fly for teammate No. 41 Kurt Busch. He had a tire issue and needed to fix the rear quarter panel. The No. 4 stayed out on the track. The race would restart on lap 5, with Harvick as the leader. The No. 4 team was fairly quiet on the radio.
Caution No.2 would fly on lap 30, signaling the end of segment 1. Harvick was scored as the leader. He hit pit road under caution for four tires and fuel. On the stop, a tire got hung up and dropped the team back to the 5th position for the restart on lap 32. The No. 4 dropped back to 8th after pitting but made the time up pretty quickly, as he was scored in the 3rd position on lap 36. He had attempted to work the bottom of the track but the top line was working better. He was back to the 9th position. Kevin informed the team that he was, “loose in, tight off.”
As a result of Segment 2 ending, the 3rd caution would fly on lap 50 with Harvick scored in the 10th position.
Caution No. 4 would fly on lap 54 for the No. 95 of Kasey Kahne having problems. Harvick would be scored in the 6th position. He was still in traffic but his car was coming back to him and it was getting quicker and quicker. He hit pit road under caution for four tires and fuel. Spotter Timmy Fedewa reminded his driver not to speed on pit road. Kevin told him it didn't much matter where they were. He would fall all the way back to 17th. Faster tires and more fuel let the strategy begin. By lap 68 he was battling and trying different lines to find what would work best. High line, low line, middle line. He had made his way back up to the 8th position due to other cars pitting.
The 5th caution on lap 75 involved the No. 14 of Clint Bowyer, the No. 41 of Kurt Busch, the No. 18 of Kyle Busch, the No. 78 of Martin Truex Jr., the No. 17 of Ricky Stenhouse Jr., and the No. 2 of Brad Keselowski. Harvick was scored in the 4th position. This led to overtime for the race at the end of the race.
On lap 80, the 3rd stage came to an end, bringing out the 6th caution. Harvick was scored as the race leader. During the last 10 laps, caution flag laps would not count, only green flag laps. On lap 84, Harvick would keep the lead. With 4 laps remaining, Harvick would continue to lead. On lap 91, the 7th caution would fly for the No. 22 of Joey Logano, and the No. 42 of Kyle Larson dancing together and taking each other out. This race does mean checkers or wreckers.
Race Winner Kevin Harvick
$1 Million to the Winner
A quote from Harvick's Stewart-Haas Racing post-race report:
What are your overall thoughts on the aero package used for this race?
“A lot of pushing and shoving. It reminded me a lot of IROC racing back in the day. We will see what everybody thinks and go from there.”
Follow and chat with me here: @CrystalDTitus
Shop now for Kevin Harvick gear!
Saturday, May 19th, 2018
Charlotte Motor Speedway
Concord, North Carolina
30, 20, 20, 10 = 90 laps
Kevin Harvick and his team qualified 4th for the All-Star Race. This race is a big "no points" race, for $1 Million. During the qualifying laps, the driver must come down pit road and make a four-tire pit stop. The pit stop, like any other, can make or break you. Harvick was sponsored by Jimmy John’s for the race.
On lap 2, Harvick’s car was already fast at the drop of the green flag. The 1st caution flag would fly for teammate No. 41 Kurt Busch. He had a tire issue and needed to fix the rear quarter panel. The No. 4 stayed out on the track. The race would restart on lap 5, with Harvick as the leader. The No. 4 team was fairly quiet on the radio.
Caution No.2 would fly on lap 30, signaling the end of segment 1. Harvick was scored as the leader. He hit pit road under caution for four tires and fuel. On the stop, a tire got hung up and dropped the team back to the 5th position for the restart on lap 32. The No. 4 dropped back to 8th after pitting but made the time up pretty quickly, as he was scored in the 3rd position on lap 36. He had attempted to work the bottom of the track but the top line was working better. He was back to the 9th position. Kevin informed the team that he was, “loose in, tight off.”
As a result of Segment 2 ending, the 3rd caution would fly on lap 50 with Harvick scored in the 10th position.
Caution No. 4 would fly on lap 54 for the No. 95 of Kasey Kahne having problems. Harvick would be scored in the 6th position. He was still in traffic but his car was coming back to him and it was getting quicker and quicker. He hit pit road under caution for four tires and fuel. Spotter Timmy Fedewa reminded his driver not to speed on pit road. Kevin told him it didn't much matter where they were. He would fall all the way back to 17th. Faster tires and more fuel let the strategy begin. By lap 68 he was battling and trying different lines to find what would work best. High line, low line, middle line. He had made his way back up to the 8th position due to other cars pitting.
The 5th caution on lap 75 involved the No. 14 of Clint Bowyer, the No. 41 of Kurt Busch, the No. 18 of Kyle Busch, the No. 78 of Martin Truex Jr., the No. 17 of Ricky Stenhouse Jr., and the No. 2 of Brad Keselowski. Harvick was scored in the 4th position. This led to overtime for the race at the end of the race.
On lap 80, the 3rd stage came to an end, bringing out the 6th caution. Harvick was scored as the race leader. During the last 10 laps, caution flag laps would not count, only green flag laps. On lap 84, Harvick would keep the lead. With 4 laps remaining, Harvick would continue to lead. On lap 91, the 7th caution would fly for the No. 22 of Joey Logano, and the No. 42 of Kyle Larson dancing together and taking each other out. This race does mean checkers or wreckers.
Race Winner Kevin Harvick
$1 Million to the Winner
A quote from Harvick's Stewart-Haas Racing post-race report:
What are your overall thoughts on the aero package used for this race?
“A lot of pushing and shoving. It reminded me a lot of IROC racing back in the day. We will see what everybody thinks and go from there.”
Follow and chat with me here: @CrystalDTitus
Shop now for Kevin Harvick gear!
|
|
KC Masterpiece 400
Saturday May 12th, 2018
Kansas Speedway
Kansas City, Kansas
80, 80, 107 = 267
Kevin Harvick qualified on the pole for Saturday night’s KC Masterpiece 400 at Kansas Speedway. Due to rain on Saturday morning there would be a competition caution on lap 30, no refueling could be done until then.
At the start of the race Harvick quickly pulled away from the field. The radio would be pretty quiet until lap 30. The 1st caution flag would fly for the competition caution. Crew Chief Rodney Childers would bring his driver into the pits for four tires, fuel, and tape on the grill. He would leave pit road in the 3rd position as the top two cars only took two tires. Strategy for some would start early in the race. Harvick would restart in the 3rd position on lap 36.
The car got a little shaky with a potential tire going down on lap 48. Harvick reported it could be loose. The team reviewed the pit stop footage and told him he does not, “Everything looks OK from here.” HIs car was running on the loose side as he had moved back into the 2nd position, 1.5 seconds behind race leader Ryan Blaney.
Caution No.2 would fly on lap 80 signaling the end of Stage One. Harvick was scored in the 2nd position gaining 9 bonus points. He would hit pit road for four tires, fuel, and an air pressure adjustment. After a great stop he would leave pit road in the lead, ready for the lap 88 restart.
Once again on lap 111, the driver of the No.4 reported a vibration. He was told there was no issue after a review by the team. He would continue leading the race as green flag pit stops would begin on lap 121. Harvick would bring the No.4 Busch Light car down pit road under green on lap 124. He would get four tires, fuel, and a small adjustment to help fix the loose handling condition, returning to the track in the 7th position. He would acquire the lead back as the field cycled through green flag pit stops. The No.3 of Austin Dillon finally pitted on lap 129. Two laps later on lap 131 the No.42 of Kyle Larson would make the pass and take over the lead.
The 3rd caution would come out on lap 160 signaling the end of Stage Two, and once again Harvick was scored in 2nd position gaining 9 bonus points. He would hit pit road under caution on lap 164 for four tires and fuel, as well as an air pressure and wedge adjustment. He would hold his position on pit road, entering 2nd and leaving 2nd, ready for the lap 168 restart. Harvick was only a half a second behind the leader.
The second round of green flag pit stops would begin around lap 210. Harvick would hit pit road under green on lap 217. He would be scored in the 4th position, after returning to the track. As the leaders continued to pit, and the field cycled the No.4 would be scored in the 3rd position on lap 226.
Caution No.4 would fly on lap 236 for the No.88 of Alex Bowman, and the No.19 of Daniel Suarez. Harvick would inform his team that his car was not turning well enough early in the run and at the end he was struggling with rear grip. He would hit pit road under caution for four tires, fuel, and an air pressure adjustment. He would be ready for the restart with only 25 laps remaining from the 2nd position. He would retake the lead with 23 laps remaining.
The No.12 of Ryan Blaney, and the No.42 of Kyle Larson would bring out the 5th caution on lap 248 as they were racing hard. Harvick would hit pit road once again for four tires and fuel. He would leave pit road 2nd, however would be scored in the 8th position as 6 other cars stayed out. The race restarted with 15 laps remaining.
As the race restarted and the field went into turn one and two there was a big wreck that happened which took out multiple cars, the No. 1 of Jamie McMurray, No. 6 of Matt Kenseth, No. 13 of Ty Dillon, No.14 of Clint Bowyer, No. 24 of William Byron, No. 31 of Ryan Newman, and No.37 of Chris Buescher. It looked as though Byron got sideways, collected Bowyer, and then went up into the air and then landed on top of Newman. Everyone was just collected in the mess. Harvick narrowly missed the accident as he was just in front of everything.
A 13 minute 13 second red flag would be displayed for cleanup. Harvick would be told to stay out under caution as he was scored in the 6th position. The race restarted with 9 laps remaining with Harvick scored in 6th. He would quickly move up to the 2nd position with 7 laps to go.
Harvick was quickly chasing down the No.78 of Martin Truex Jr who was the leader. It was a good battle for the win over the last few laps of the race.
Race Winner Kevin Harvick.
Harvick is the current points leader.
A quote from Kevin Harvick’s, Stewart-Haas post-race report
“I think, as you look at the last couple of laps, it wasn’t working for me on the bottom, and I was able to make up some ground on the top; and really, I thought, if it came down to it I could pass him on the bottom because my car went through one and two on the bottom or I could drive through the middle of three and four, but I just had to pick which lane. He wasn’t going to choose, and he never chose the high lane, and we were able to drive right by.
“I think this weekend shows really how good the race team is. Everything didn’t go exactly smooth, and everybody just kept a good demeanor about things and kept calm and kept working through things. The same thing tonight. Everybody just kept working through, trying to make the car better, and we were able to wind up in victory lane. Those are the days that you just grind it out.”
Follow and chat with me here: @CrystalDTitus
Saturday May 12th, 2018
Kansas Speedway
Kansas City, Kansas
80, 80, 107 = 267
Kevin Harvick qualified on the pole for Saturday night’s KC Masterpiece 400 at Kansas Speedway. Due to rain on Saturday morning there would be a competition caution on lap 30, no refueling could be done until then.
At the start of the race Harvick quickly pulled away from the field. The radio would be pretty quiet until lap 30. The 1st caution flag would fly for the competition caution. Crew Chief Rodney Childers would bring his driver into the pits for four tires, fuel, and tape on the grill. He would leave pit road in the 3rd position as the top two cars only took two tires. Strategy for some would start early in the race. Harvick would restart in the 3rd position on lap 36.
The car got a little shaky with a potential tire going down on lap 48. Harvick reported it could be loose. The team reviewed the pit stop footage and told him he does not, “Everything looks OK from here.” HIs car was running on the loose side as he had moved back into the 2nd position, 1.5 seconds behind race leader Ryan Blaney.
Caution No.2 would fly on lap 80 signaling the end of Stage One. Harvick was scored in the 2nd position gaining 9 bonus points. He would hit pit road for four tires, fuel, and an air pressure adjustment. After a great stop he would leave pit road in the lead, ready for the lap 88 restart.
Once again on lap 111, the driver of the No.4 reported a vibration. He was told there was no issue after a review by the team. He would continue leading the race as green flag pit stops would begin on lap 121. Harvick would bring the No.4 Busch Light car down pit road under green on lap 124. He would get four tires, fuel, and a small adjustment to help fix the loose handling condition, returning to the track in the 7th position. He would acquire the lead back as the field cycled through green flag pit stops. The No.3 of Austin Dillon finally pitted on lap 129. Two laps later on lap 131 the No.42 of Kyle Larson would make the pass and take over the lead.
The 3rd caution would come out on lap 160 signaling the end of Stage Two, and once again Harvick was scored in 2nd position gaining 9 bonus points. He would hit pit road under caution on lap 164 for four tires and fuel, as well as an air pressure and wedge adjustment. He would hold his position on pit road, entering 2nd and leaving 2nd, ready for the lap 168 restart. Harvick was only a half a second behind the leader.
The second round of green flag pit stops would begin around lap 210. Harvick would hit pit road under green on lap 217. He would be scored in the 4th position, after returning to the track. As the leaders continued to pit, and the field cycled the No.4 would be scored in the 3rd position on lap 226.
Caution No.4 would fly on lap 236 for the No.88 of Alex Bowman, and the No.19 of Daniel Suarez. Harvick would inform his team that his car was not turning well enough early in the run and at the end he was struggling with rear grip. He would hit pit road under caution for four tires, fuel, and an air pressure adjustment. He would be ready for the restart with only 25 laps remaining from the 2nd position. He would retake the lead with 23 laps remaining.
The No.12 of Ryan Blaney, and the No.42 of Kyle Larson would bring out the 5th caution on lap 248 as they were racing hard. Harvick would hit pit road once again for four tires and fuel. He would leave pit road 2nd, however would be scored in the 8th position as 6 other cars stayed out. The race restarted with 15 laps remaining.
As the race restarted and the field went into turn one and two there was a big wreck that happened which took out multiple cars, the No. 1 of Jamie McMurray, No. 6 of Matt Kenseth, No. 13 of Ty Dillon, No.14 of Clint Bowyer, No. 24 of William Byron, No. 31 of Ryan Newman, and No.37 of Chris Buescher. It looked as though Byron got sideways, collected Bowyer, and then went up into the air and then landed on top of Newman. Everyone was just collected in the mess. Harvick narrowly missed the accident as he was just in front of everything.
A 13 minute 13 second red flag would be displayed for cleanup. Harvick would be told to stay out under caution as he was scored in the 6th position. The race restarted with 9 laps remaining with Harvick scored in 6th. He would quickly move up to the 2nd position with 7 laps to go.
Harvick was quickly chasing down the No.78 of Martin Truex Jr who was the leader. It was a good battle for the win over the last few laps of the race.
Race Winner Kevin Harvick.
Harvick is the current points leader.
A quote from Kevin Harvick’s, Stewart-Haas post-race report
“I think, as you look at the last couple of laps, it wasn’t working for me on the bottom, and I was able to make up some ground on the top; and really, I thought, if it came down to it I could pass him on the bottom because my car went through one and two on the bottom or I could drive through the middle of three and four, but I just had to pick which lane. He wasn’t going to choose, and he never chose the high lane, and we were able to drive right by.
“I think this weekend shows really how good the race team is. Everything didn’t go exactly smooth, and everybody just kept a good demeanor about things and kept calm and kept working through things. The same thing tonight. Everybody just kept working through, trying to make the car better, and we were able to wind up in victory lane. Those are the days that you just grind it out.”
Follow and chat with me here: @CrystalDTitus
|
|
KC Masterpiece 400 Preview
Saturday May 12th, 2018
Kansas Motor Speedway
Kansas City, Kansas
80, 80, 107 = 267
Kansas Speedway is a 1.5 mile tri-oval track. The turns are 17-20 degrees of banking, 9-11 degrees on the front stretch, and then 5 degrees on the back stretch. The track is located 15 miles west of downtown Kansas City, Kansas.
Kevin Harvick has 24 starts at this track. He has 2 wins with the most recent being last fall. He has 7 top 5 finishes, 13 top 10 finishes. He has also finished as low as 35th, due to an overheating engine in 2004. He has 4 poles and has also qualified as low as 38th. His 4th pole is this weekend. As he has been running super strong on mile and a half tracks this year look for him to stay up front. He may end up in Victory Lane again.
It’s Mother’s Day Weekend, so look for one of the best parts of the year, driver’s mothers will be giving the command engines like usual. Watch out for weepers in the track and potential weather again, there were strong storms moving through Friday morning.
A quote from Kevin Harvick’s, Stewart-Haas Racing pre-race report:
“Our intermediates have been really good, and we’ve been good everywhere as a company. As you look at Kansas, in general, it’s been one of my best racetracks through the years. And since I’ve come to SHR, it’s probably been one of our top-two racetracks. It’s been a fun place to go to. I feel like we should’ve won more races there than we have, but I think you can say that at a lot of places, and sometimes the circumstances dictate that. I’m confident our Busch Light Ford will be fast. Anything less than a win there is usually a disappointment."
Follow and chat with me here: @CrystalDTitus
Saturday May 12th, 2018
Kansas Motor Speedway
Kansas City, Kansas
80, 80, 107 = 267
Kansas Speedway is a 1.5 mile tri-oval track. The turns are 17-20 degrees of banking, 9-11 degrees on the front stretch, and then 5 degrees on the back stretch. The track is located 15 miles west of downtown Kansas City, Kansas.
Kevin Harvick has 24 starts at this track. He has 2 wins with the most recent being last fall. He has 7 top 5 finishes, 13 top 10 finishes. He has also finished as low as 35th, due to an overheating engine in 2004. He has 4 poles and has also qualified as low as 38th. His 4th pole is this weekend. As he has been running super strong on mile and a half tracks this year look for him to stay up front. He may end up in Victory Lane again.
It’s Mother’s Day Weekend, so look for one of the best parts of the year, driver’s mothers will be giving the command engines like usual. Watch out for weepers in the track and potential weather again, there were strong storms moving through Friday morning.
A quote from Kevin Harvick’s, Stewart-Haas Racing pre-race report:
“Our intermediates have been really good, and we’ve been good everywhere as a company. As you look at Kansas, in general, it’s been one of my best racetracks through the years. And since I’ve come to SHR, it’s probably been one of our top-two racetracks. It’s been a fun place to go to. I feel like we should’ve won more races there than we have, but I think you can say that at a lot of places, and sometimes the circumstances dictate that. I’m confident our Busch Light Ford will be fast. Anything less than a win there is usually a disappointment."
Follow and chat with me here: @CrystalDTitus
|
|
AAA Drive for Autism 400
May 6th, 2018
Dover International Speedway
Dover, Delaware
120,120,160 = 400 laps
Dover International Speedway aka The Monster Mile. Dover, Delaware. The speedway is a one mile, concrete oval. The banking of the track is 9 degrees on straightaways, and 24 degrees in the turns.
Kevin Harvick has 34 Cup series starts. He has 1 win at Dover, he is the defending race winner of the June race. He has 5 top 5s, 15 top 10s and 1 DNF. His starting positions are all over the board, starting as high as the pole and as low as 35th.
One thing to watch out for is when Miles the Monster strikes. Dover may be a self-cleaning track, but when Miles strikes he may take most of the field out together. So as long as Kevin keeps the nose out of trouble he will be fine. He is pretty good at Dover!
Once again, for the first time in a few weeks, there was rain in the forecast. Everyone thought the race could potentially be moved to Monday. Harvick qualified 2nd for Sunday’s race in the No.4 Jimmy John’s Ford Fusion. Due to the pole sitter moving to the back for unapproved adjustments Harvick would start first. However, he did not get lane choice. The No.4 would be scored with leading the first lap.
The Monster didn’t take long to strike as the 1st caution would fly on lap 5 for the No.34 of Michael McDowell. The team would elect to stay out and he would restart in the lead on lap 8. Harvick would increase his lead by 1.6 seconds of the second place car the No.78 car of Martin Truex Jr, by lap 20. His lead would be diminished by the 2nd caution flying, the No.72 car of Corey LaJoie had an engine expire. Crew chief Rodney Childers would bring Harvick down pit road for four tires and fuel on lap 22. Due to other cars taking only 2 tires or fuel, the No.4 would restart the race in the 5th position on lap 26.
Harvick would pick and choose his way around the track, and make a pass on the No.88 of Alex Bowman for the 3rd position on lap 53. The top two cars had a 1.5 second lead over the No.4. He would have his sights set on the 2nd position and work on chopping the lead away. On lap 97 he would move into the 2nd position as Truex would hit pit road. Stage One was coming to a close and the leader No.2 Brad Keselowski’s lap times were slowing as he was conserving fuel. As Keselowski had to pit on lap 108, Harvick gained the lead. Childers asked his driver to back the engine down just a tad, in order to save fuel as well.
Caution flag No.3 would fly on lap 120 signaling the end of Stage 1. Harvick would be scored the race leader gaining 10 bonus points and one playoff point. Childers told his driver that his tires looked fine. He had entered the pits in the 1st position and left in the 1st position.
The 4th caution flag would fly on lap 153 for the No.99 of Derrike Cope spinning out and hitting the wall. Harvick would take advantage of the caution and pit again for four tires and fuel. He would restart in the 2nd position on lap 159 behind Brad Keselowski. By lap 180 Harvick was still in the 2nd position but now he was only .224 seconds behind the leader.
On lap 200 he would pass Keselowski to retake the lead. He was 1.9 seconds ahead of the 2nd place car with 25 laps remaining in stage two on lap 215. When the No.4 car was in the lead and in clean air he was Freaky Fast.
The 5th caution would fly on lap 240 signaling the end of Stage two. Harvick once again was scored as the race leader gaining 10 bonus points and 1 playoff point. Under caution he would acquire four tires, and fuel, as well as a right rear wedge adjustment. He entered the pits leading and after another amazing stop by his pit crew he left pit road leading.
On lap 254 the No.51 of Cody Ware would bring out the 6th caution after dancing with the Monster in Turn 4. The race would resume under green flag conditions on lap 260. It was looking like another great day for Stewart-Haas Racing, all four cars were in the top 10.
Fluid on the track would bring out the 7th caution flag on lap 272, as the No.18 of Kyle Busch lost a drive shaft from his car. Harvick did a great job steering his car through all of the oil. His team would once again take advantage of the caution and pit for four tires and fuel on lap 273. The race would restart on lap 281, with Harvick scored in the 5th position.
As the laps wound down he made the pass for the 3rd position from the No. 22 of Joey Logano. The driver had his eye set on the No.17 of Ricky Stenhouse Jr, who was in the 2nd place position, and then teammate and leader, No.14 Clint Bowyer.
Rain would be looming around the track bringing out the 8th caution on lap 316. A shower passing over would also bring out a Red Flag lasting 41 minutes and 1 second. Harvick would be scored in the 2nd position behind teammate, Bowyer. Harvick told his team he was a little too tight as they tried to dodge the shower. His car looked great, he and teammate Clint Bowyer both had the strongest cars on the track. The race would resume under green flag on lap 326.
Bowyer was the leader, fighting a loose racecar. Harvick was able to slide by him on lap 338 and retake the race lead. On lap 350 with only 50 laps remaining in the race, his lead had stretched out to 2.3 seconds. He began fighting a loose car as well but he was still really fast. On lap 391 his lead was 6 seconds over teammate Bowyer.
Race Winner Kevin Harvick.
Harvick is currently 3rd in the standings.
A quote from Kevin Harvick’s, Stewart-Haas Racing post race report:
"The first thing I’ve got to do is just thank everybody on my team – everybody at Stewart-Haas Racing, Roush Yates Engines, everybody from Ford for just continuing to put the effort that they put into these cars. Three cars in the top-five says a lot about where we are as a company, but everybody from Jimmy John’s and Busch and Ford, Fields, Haas Automation, Mobil 1, Morton Buildings, Textron Off-Road, Liftmaster and the fans, especially.
It was great to see those fans stick around for the finish. It’s fun racing your teammate. That says a lot about our company and one of your good friends, as well. I just want to say hi to DeLana, Keelan, and Piper at home.
I feel like when you come to Dover, I feel like Clint is going to be one of the people that you have to beat just because of the fact that he’s been so good for so many years here. To be able to race with Clint for a win is – for me, like I told him, I said, if I’m not going to win this race today, you need to win this race, so get up there and go after it because at that point we didn’t know what was going to happen during the pit stop.
To be able to race with him is a lot of fun, and I’d much rather keep it within the house than racing with somebody else. It was fun with Clint, and I had a really good battle there with Brad (Keselowski) for about 50 laps at the end of the second stage. We went back and forth and, finally, were able to get by him, but that was a lot of fun.”
Follow and chat with me here: @CrystalDTitus
May 6th, 2018
Dover International Speedway
Dover, Delaware
120,120,160 = 400 laps
Dover International Speedway aka The Monster Mile. Dover, Delaware. The speedway is a one mile, concrete oval. The banking of the track is 9 degrees on straightaways, and 24 degrees in the turns.
Kevin Harvick has 34 Cup series starts. He has 1 win at Dover, he is the defending race winner of the June race. He has 5 top 5s, 15 top 10s and 1 DNF. His starting positions are all over the board, starting as high as the pole and as low as 35th.
One thing to watch out for is when Miles the Monster strikes. Dover may be a self-cleaning track, but when Miles strikes he may take most of the field out together. So as long as Kevin keeps the nose out of trouble he will be fine. He is pretty good at Dover!
Once again, for the first time in a few weeks, there was rain in the forecast. Everyone thought the race could potentially be moved to Monday. Harvick qualified 2nd for Sunday’s race in the No.4 Jimmy John’s Ford Fusion. Due to the pole sitter moving to the back for unapproved adjustments Harvick would start first. However, he did not get lane choice. The No.4 would be scored with leading the first lap.
The Monster didn’t take long to strike as the 1st caution would fly on lap 5 for the No.34 of Michael McDowell. The team would elect to stay out and he would restart in the lead on lap 8. Harvick would increase his lead by 1.6 seconds of the second place car the No.78 car of Martin Truex Jr, by lap 20. His lead would be diminished by the 2nd caution flying, the No.72 car of Corey LaJoie had an engine expire. Crew chief Rodney Childers would bring Harvick down pit road for four tires and fuel on lap 22. Due to other cars taking only 2 tires or fuel, the No.4 would restart the race in the 5th position on lap 26.
Harvick would pick and choose his way around the track, and make a pass on the No.88 of Alex Bowman for the 3rd position on lap 53. The top two cars had a 1.5 second lead over the No.4. He would have his sights set on the 2nd position and work on chopping the lead away. On lap 97 he would move into the 2nd position as Truex would hit pit road. Stage One was coming to a close and the leader No.2 Brad Keselowski’s lap times were slowing as he was conserving fuel. As Keselowski had to pit on lap 108, Harvick gained the lead. Childers asked his driver to back the engine down just a tad, in order to save fuel as well.
Caution flag No.3 would fly on lap 120 signaling the end of Stage 1. Harvick would be scored the race leader gaining 10 bonus points and one playoff point. Childers told his driver that his tires looked fine. He had entered the pits in the 1st position and left in the 1st position.
The 4th caution flag would fly on lap 153 for the No.99 of Derrike Cope spinning out and hitting the wall. Harvick would take advantage of the caution and pit again for four tires and fuel. He would restart in the 2nd position on lap 159 behind Brad Keselowski. By lap 180 Harvick was still in the 2nd position but now he was only .224 seconds behind the leader.
On lap 200 he would pass Keselowski to retake the lead. He was 1.9 seconds ahead of the 2nd place car with 25 laps remaining in stage two on lap 215. When the No.4 car was in the lead and in clean air he was Freaky Fast.
The 5th caution would fly on lap 240 signaling the end of Stage two. Harvick once again was scored as the race leader gaining 10 bonus points and 1 playoff point. Under caution he would acquire four tires, and fuel, as well as a right rear wedge adjustment. He entered the pits leading and after another amazing stop by his pit crew he left pit road leading.
On lap 254 the No.51 of Cody Ware would bring out the 6th caution after dancing with the Monster in Turn 4. The race would resume under green flag conditions on lap 260. It was looking like another great day for Stewart-Haas Racing, all four cars were in the top 10.
Fluid on the track would bring out the 7th caution flag on lap 272, as the No.18 of Kyle Busch lost a drive shaft from his car. Harvick did a great job steering his car through all of the oil. His team would once again take advantage of the caution and pit for four tires and fuel on lap 273. The race would restart on lap 281, with Harvick scored in the 5th position.
As the laps wound down he made the pass for the 3rd position from the No. 22 of Joey Logano. The driver had his eye set on the No.17 of Ricky Stenhouse Jr, who was in the 2nd place position, and then teammate and leader, No.14 Clint Bowyer.
Rain would be looming around the track bringing out the 8th caution on lap 316. A shower passing over would also bring out a Red Flag lasting 41 minutes and 1 second. Harvick would be scored in the 2nd position behind teammate, Bowyer. Harvick told his team he was a little too tight as they tried to dodge the shower. His car looked great, he and teammate Clint Bowyer both had the strongest cars on the track. The race would resume under green flag on lap 326.
Bowyer was the leader, fighting a loose racecar. Harvick was able to slide by him on lap 338 and retake the race lead. On lap 350 with only 50 laps remaining in the race, his lead had stretched out to 2.3 seconds. He began fighting a loose car as well but he was still really fast. On lap 391 his lead was 6 seconds over teammate Bowyer.
Race Winner Kevin Harvick.
Harvick is currently 3rd in the standings.
A quote from Kevin Harvick’s, Stewart-Haas Racing post race report:
"The first thing I’ve got to do is just thank everybody on my team – everybody at Stewart-Haas Racing, Roush Yates Engines, everybody from Ford for just continuing to put the effort that they put into these cars. Three cars in the top-five says a lot about where we are as a company, but everybody from Jimmy John’s and Busch and Ford, Fields, Haas Automation, Mobil 1, Morton Buildings, Textron Off-Road, Liftmaster and the fans, especially.
It was great to see those fans stick around for the finish. It’s fun racing your teammate. That says a lot about our company and one of your good friends, as well. I just want to say hi to DeLana, Keelan, and Piper at home.
I feel like when you come to Dover, I feel like Clint is going to be one of the people that you have to beat just because of the fact that he’s been so good for so many years here. To be able to race with Clint for a win is – for me, like I told him, I said, if I’m not going to win this race today, you need to win this race, so get up there and go after it because at that point we didn’t know what was going to happen during the pit stop.
To be able to race with him is a lot of fun, and I’d much rather keep it within the house than racing with somebody else. It was fun with Clint, and I had a really good battle there with Brad (Keselowski) for about 50 laps at the end of the second stage. We went back and forth and, finally, were able to get by him, but that was a lot of fun.”
Follow and chat with me here: @CrystalDTitus
|
|
GEICO 500
Sunday April 29, 2018
Talladega Super Speedway
Talladega, Alabama
55,55,78= 188 laps
Talladega Superspeedway is located just north of Talladega, Alabama. In the 1960’s, Bill France Sr. wanted a track that was longer and faster than Daytona. Talladega is known to have “The Big One”, a wreck that can take out most, if not all, of the field.
There are numerous legends and stories about Talladega. Most stem from the track being built on an old Native American burial ground. Many will tell you that the track is cursed. The 2.66 mile oval is the largest tri-oval on the NASCAR circuit.
Kevin Harvick has 34 starts at Talladega. He has started as high as on the Pole and as low as 39th. However, it is not about where you start at Dega. You can be in the front of the pack on one lap and, half a lap later, be in last position. Kevin has 1 win coming back in April, 2010. He has 14 top 10’s, and 6 top 5’s. He has also finished as low as 40th, with 3 DNF’s. As long as he can stay out of harm’s way and keep out of the big one, he will have a great finish.
For the Geico 500 on Sunday April 29th, 2018, Harvick drove the No.4 Busch Beer Flannel Ford Fusion. He qualified on the pole. He would surrender the lead on lap 13 to pit under green for fuel only. He would return to the track in the 24th position waiting for stops to cycle back around. He would stay towards the back of the field for a bit racing with a pack of nine cars.
The 1st caution flag of the race would fly on lap 55, signaling the end of Segment One. Kevin would be scored in the 9th position. He would gain 2 bonus points. The team would discuss changes to make the car better during the second stage. The race would restart on lap 60.
The 2nd caution would fly on lap 72 for the first wreck. The No. 1 of Jamie McMurray, No. 6 of Trevor Bayne, No. 10 of Aric Almirola, No. 20 of Erik Jones, No. 42 of Kyle Larson, and No. 78 of Martin Truex Jr all danced together on the back stretch. Harvick narrowly missed the wreck, ready for the race restart on lap 77. He would be running in the 19th position on lap 88 in the top lane.
Caution flag No.3 would fly on lap 110 signaling the end of Segment Two. The No.4 would be scored in the 4th position, gaining 7 more bonus points. As the race returned to green on lap 115, Harvick would try to get his groove back. On lap 119 he radioed into his crew, “I didn’t know what to do there, either let off or wreck him.” He was talking about the No.17 of Ricky Stenhouse Jr jumping in front of him, scored in the 19th position.
Debris on the front stretch would bring out caution No.4 on lap 130. Harvick would bring his car down pit road to the attention of Crew Chief Rodney Childers on lap 131. The crew would administer four tires and fuel. He would restart in the 9th position on lap 133. He would quickly make his way to the 3rd position.
Fluid on the track on lap 154 would bring out the No.5 caution of the day. The No.4 was scored in the 4th position. He was fast and able to move the car where he needed it. His team elected to stay out under the caution, keeping track position. He would restart in the 3rd position on lap 159.
Caution No.7 would fly on lap 166. This would be the Talladega “Big One.” The monster finally struck, taking 14 cars with it in turn 3. The No. 2 of Brad Keselowski, No. 3 of Austin Dillon, No. 11 of Denny Hamlin, No. 12 of Ryan Blaney, No. 14 of Clint Bowyer, No. 18 of Kyle Busch, No. 21 of Paul Menard, No. 34 of Michael McDowell, No. 43 of Bubba Wallace, No. 47 of AJ Allmendinger, No. 48 of Jimmie Johnson, No. 62 of Brendan Gaughan, and No. 95 of Kasey Kahne all took damage. This wreck happened behind Harvick so his car once again stayed clean and just fine. He was scored in the 2nd position.
The No. 4 Busch Beer Flannel Ford was strong in the 2nd position, waiting for that right moment to get around the race leader. However, on the final lap he just couldn’t make it around the leader in the draft and he finished in the 4th position.
Race Winner Joey Logano
Harvick is currently 3rd in the point standings
A quote from Kevin Harvick’s, Stewart-Haas Racing post-race report:
“We had a really good Busch Ford. We got the handling a lot better there after the first run of the race when it was pushing really bad and loose in the corners and through the tri-oval. They did a good job adjusting the car. The 41 pulled out sooner than I thought he would there, and we wound up getting hung out. All in all, it was a really good day. I am happy to finish the race. It is a good day for the guys. We can tweak on one finally rather than having to rebuild one.”
Follow and chat with me here: @CrystalDTitus
Sunday April 29, 2018
Talladega Super Speedway
Talladega, Alabama
55,55,78= 188 laps
Talladega Superspeedway is located just north of Talladega, Alabama. In the 1960’s, Bill France Sr. wanted a track that was longer and faster than Daytona. Talladega is known to have “The Big One”, a wreck that can take out most, if not all, of the field.
There are numerous legends and stories about Talladega. Most stem from the track being built on an old Native American burial ground. Many will tell you that the track is cursed. The 2.66 mile oval is the largest tri-oval on the NASCAR circuit.
Kevin Harvick has 34 starts at Talladega. He has started as high as on the Pole and as low as 39th. However, it is not about where you start at Dega. You can be in the front of the pack on one lap and, half a lap later, be in last position. Kevin has 1 win coming back in April, 2010. He has 14 top 10’s, and 6 top 5’s. He has also finished as low as 40th, with 3 DNF’s. As long as he can stay out of harm’s way and keep out of the big one, he will have a great finish.
For the Geico 500 on Sunday April 29th, 2018, Harvick drove the No.4 Busch Beer Flannel Ford Fusion. He qualified on the pole. He would surrender the lead on lap 13 to pit under green for fuel only. He would return to the track in the 24th position waiting for stops to cycle back around. He would stay towards the back of the field for a bit racing with a pack of nine cars.
The 1st caution flag of the race would fly on lap 55, signaling the end of Segment One. Kevin would be scored in the 9th position. He would gain 2 bonus points. The team would discuss changes to make the car better during the second stage. The race would restart on lap 60.
The 2nd caution would fly on lap 72 for the first wreck. The No. 1 of Jamie McMurray, No. 6 of Trevor Bayne, No. 10 of Aric Almirola, No. 20 of Erik Jones, No. 42 of Kyle Larson, and No. 78 of Martin Truex Jr all danced together on the back stretch. Harvick narrowly missed the wreck, ready for the race restart on lap 77. He would be running in the 19th position on lap 88 in the top lane.
Caution flag No.3 would fly on lap 110 signaling the end of Segment Two. The No.4 would be scored in the 4th position, gaining 7 more bonus points. As the race returned to green on lap 115, Harvick would try to get his groove back. On lap 119 he radioed into his crew, “I didn’t know what to do there, either let off or wreck him.” He was talking about the No.17 of Ricky Stenhouse Jr jumping in front of him, scored in the 19th position.
Debris on the front stretch would bring out caution No.4 on lap 130. Harvick would bring his car down pit road to the attention of Crew Chief Rodney Childers on lap 131. The crew would administer four tires and fuel. He would restart in the 9th position on lap 133. He would quickly make his way to the 3rd position.
Fluid on the track on lap 154 would bring out the No.5 caution of the day. The No.4 was scored in the 4th position. He was fast and able to move the car where he needed it. His team elected to stay out under the caution, keeping track position. He would restart in the 3rd position on lap 159.
Caution No.7 would fly on lap 166. This would be the Talladega “Big One.” The monster finally struck, taking 14 cars with it in turn 3. The No. 2 of Brad Keselowski, No. 3 of Austin Dillon, No. 11 of Denny Hamlin, No. 12 of Ryan Blaney, No. 14 of Clint Bowyer, No. 18 of Kyle Busch, No. 21 of Paul Menard, No. 34 of Michael McDowell, No. 43 of Bubba Wallace, No. 47 of AJ Allmendinger, No. 48 of Jimmie Johnson, No. 62 of Brendan Gaughan, and No. 95 of Kasey Kahne all took damage. This wreck happened behind Harvick so his car once again stayed clean and just fine. He was scored in the 2nd position.
The No. 4 Busch Beer Flannel Ford was strong in the 2nd position, waiting for that right moment to get around the race leader. However, on the final lap he just couldn’t make it around the leader in the draft and he finished in the 4th position.
Race Winner Joey Logano
Harvick is currently 3rd in the point standings
A quote from Kevin Harvick’s, Stewart-Haas Racing post-race report:
“We had a really good Busch Ford. We got the handling a lot better there after the first run of the race when it was pushing really bad and loose in the corners and through the tri-oval. They did a good job adjusting the car. The 41 pulled out sooner than I thought he would there, and we wound up getting hung out. All in all, it was a really good day. I am happy to finish the race. It is a good day for the guys. We can tweak on one finally rather than having to rebuild one.”
Follow and chat with me here: @CrystalDTitus
Photo credit: Crystal Titus
|
Photo credit: Crystal Titus
|
Piper Grace sighting! □ That's one happy Harvick clan right there. #GEICO500 pic.twitter.com/Zzwm4NmxOB
— Stewart-Haas Racing (@StewartHaasRcng) April 30, 2018
Toyota Owners 400
Saturday April 21, 2018
Richmond l Raceway
Richmond, VA
100,100,200=400 laps
Kevin Harvick qualified 10th for Saturday night's Toyota Owners 400 race at Richmond Raceway. For the beginning of the race the radio was pretty quiet. Harvick was quietly chasing down the two cars in front of him by lap 16 looking to move up two spots. His car was better than the No.20 of Erik Jones and No.1 Jamie McMurray. He would acquire those two positions by lap 20, and was scored in the 8th position, informing his crew he was loose in the center.
“Too loose in, too loose off, too loose into the center (of the corner),” Harvick informed the crew on lap 25. He was scored in the 8th position. As the run progressed, spotter Timmy Fedewa informed his driver that he was, “Fastest car on the track.” On lap 45 the No.4 Ford Fusion broke the top 5.
Harvick informed the crew, “Totally different race car from yesterday. No grip. No drive off.” He fell back to the 8th position as the sun was setting on the track, around lap 70. “All the drive I had yesterday is gone. I can’t even touch the gas pedal, It’s (explicit) terrible." He was waiting for the end of stage caution to get the car fixed.
The 1st caution of the race would fly on lap 100 signaling the end of stage one. Kevin would gain 1 bonus point. He told his crew chief Rodney Childers, “Out of control. We’re just (explicit) turning right all around the track terrible… I’m an inch down on the track bar… out of control.” Childers responded with he was aware of what their teammate the No.10 of Aric Almirola had and that they were the best car on the track. They would make changes to go that route and try and help their car perform better.
Under this caution the No.4 would take four tires, fuel, and adjustments. He would leave pit road in the 9th position, however they would have to start from the rear for “throwing equipment.” One of the crew members threw a wedge wrench over the car, and the wrench would bounce off of pit wall and hit another crew member in the groin. OUCH! Thankfully, crew members were ok.
Since the team had to start from the rear they chose to pit again. Childers explained that the equipment went over the short pit wall. It has to stay on the “hot” side of pit road. On the second stop he would get rear wedge adjustments on both tires. He would restart in the 19th position on lap 111.
As stage two got underway Harvick was on a mission to gain ground back. He had made his way from 19th up to the 14th position by lap 150. By lap 165 he was scored in the 12th position, eyeing the top 10. He would crack back into the top 10 on lap 175. He was one of the better cars on the track.
Caution flag No.2 would fly on lap 200 signaling the end of stage two. Harvick would be scored in the 10th position, once again only gaining 1 bonus point. He would pit under caution for four tires and fuel. The race would restart on lap 211, and Harvick would lose one spot in the early going to the No.42 of Kyle Larson.
As stage three progressed, Childers would inform his driver, “Lotta these guys are talking about being two tight this run.” Harvick responded with, “Not us. We’re sideways.” However, by lap 247 he would re-enter the top 5. By lap 260 he had taken over the 4th position. He was wheeling a super loose car around the track as he was on a mission to get to the front, taking 3rd position on lap 267.
On lap 274, he would hit pit road under green for four tires, fuel, and a left rear wedge adjustment, entering and leaving the pits in the 3rd position. Harvick and teammate No.14 Clint Bowyer would be in a heated battle for the 2nd and 3rd position, both fighting to get to the lead. With 80 laps remaining in the race on lap 320, Harvick was battling the No.78 of Martin Truex Jr for the lead. He would win the battle on lap 324, he was scored as the leader. On lap 332 teammate Bowyer would edge past Harvick for the lead before he gives it up to pit.
Harvick would make his scheduled green flag pit stop on lap 332, as well for four tires and fuel. With 50 laps remaining in the race, he was scored in the 3rd position. The 3rd caution flag of the race would fly on lap 353. The No.12 of Ryan Blaney, No. 17 of Ricky Stenhouse Jr, and No.72 of Cole Whitt would tangle in turn 4. Childers would bring him down pit road under caution for four tires, fuel, and tape off of the grill. The crew would administer a great pit stop of 14.0 seconds and gain him a spot on pit road. He would leave 2nd after coming to the pits in 3rd on lap 357. The race would restart on lap 361.
The green flag would not last long, and as the saying goes, “Cautions breed cautions.” It is a short track Saturday night. The 4th caution of the race would fly on lap 369 for fluid on the race track, Harvick would be scored in the 3rd position. Harvick would pit for more fresh tires. The race would restart on lap 379, scored in the 4th position.
On lap 390 caution flag No. 5 would fly for the No.38 of David Ragan hitting the wall in turn 3. The race restarted on lap 395, he was scored in the 3rd position.
This green flag run would only last two laps as the 6th caution flag would fly on lap 397, setting up green white checkered finishing. The No.17 of Ricky Stenhouse Jr would hit the wall and leave debris on the track. Harvick was scored in the 4th position at the start of the green white checkered finish.
He would finish in the 5th position.
Race Winner Kyle Busch
Harvick is currently scored 4th in the point standings.
A quote from Kevin Harvick’s, Stewart-Haas Racing post-race report:
“We were terrible on the restarts compared to three or four of those guys. I was spinning the tires getting going on the restarts. All of the night taken into consideration, we were way better than we have been in the past, and that is an important race for us to figure out where we need to be with all of the things that didn’t go right tonight. We want to be ready for when we come back here for the playoff race.”
Follow and chat with me here: @CrystalDTitus
Saturday April 21, 2018
Richmond l Raceway
Richmond, VA
100,100,200=400 laps
Kevin Harvick qualified 10th for Saturday night's Toyota Owners 400 race at Richmond Raceway. For the beginning of the race the radio was pretty quiet. Harvick was quietly chasing down the two cars in front of him by lap 16 looking to move up two spots. His car was better than the No.20 of Erik Jones and No.1 Jamie McMurray. He would acquire those two positions by lap 20, and was scored in the 8th position, informing his crew he was loose in the center.
“Too loose in, too loose off, too loose into the center (of the corner),” Harvick informed the crew on lap 25. He was scored in the 8th position. As the run progressed, spotter Timmy Fedewa informed his driver that he was, “Fastest car on the track.” On lap 45 the No.4 Ford Fusion broke the top 5.
Harvick informed the crew, “Totally different race car from yesterday. No grip. No drive off.” He fell back to the 8th position as the sun was setting on the track, around lap 70. “All the drive I had yesterday is gone. I can’t even touch the gas pedal, It’s (explicit) terrible." He was waiting for the end of stage caution to get the car fixed.
The 1st caution of the race would fly on lap 100 signaling the end of stage one. Kevin would gain 1 bonus point. He told his crew chief Rodney Childers, “Out of control. We’re just (explicit) turning right all around the track terrible… I’m an inch down on the track bar… out of control.” Childers responded with he was aware of what their teammate the No.10 of Aric Almirola had and that they were the best car on the track. They would make changes to go that route and try and help their car perform better.
Under this caution the No.4 would take four tires, fuel, and adjustments. He would leave pit road in the 9th position, however they would have to start from the rear for “throwing equipment.” One of the crew members threw a wedge wrench over the car, and the wrench would bounce off of pit wall and hit another crew member in the groin. OUCH! Thankfully, crew members were ok.
Since the team had to start from the rear they chose to pit again. Childers explained that the equipment went over the short pit wall. It has to stay on the “hot” side of pit road. On the second stop he would get rear wedge adjustments on both tires. He would restart in the 19th position on lap 111.
As stage two got underway Harvick was on a mission to gain ground back. He had made his way from 19th up to the 14th position by lap 150. By lap 165 he was scored in the 12th position, eyeing the top 10. He would crack back into the top 10 on lap 175. He was one of the better cars on the track.
Caution flag No.2 would fly on lap 200 signaling the end of stage two. Harvick would be scored in the 10th position, once again only gaining 1 bonus point. He would pit under caution for four tires and fuel. The race would restart on lap 211, and Harvick would lose one spot in the early going to the No.42 of Kyle Larson.
As stage three progressed, Childers would inform his driver, “Lotta these guys are talking about being two tight this run.” Harvick responded with, “Not us. We’re sideways.” However, by lap 247 he would re-enter the top 5. By lap 260 he had taken over the 4th position. He was wheeling a super loose car around the track as he was on a mission to get to the front, taking 3rd position on lap 267.
On lap 274, he would hit pit road under green for four tires, fuel, and a left rear wedge adjustment, entering and leaving the pits in the 3rd position. Harvick and teammate No.14 Clint Bowyer would be in a heated battle for the 2nd and 3rd position, both fighting to get to the lead. With 80 laps remaining in the race on lap 320, Harvick was battling the No.78 of Martin Truex Jr for the lead. He would win the battle on lap 324, he was scored as the leader. On lap 332 teammate Bowyer would edge past Harvick for the lead before he gives it up to pit.
Harvick would make his scheduled green flag pit stop on lap 332, as well for four tires and fuel. With 50 laps remaining in the race, he was scored in the 3rd position. The 3rd caution flag of the race would fly on lap 353. The No.12 of Ryan Blaney, No. 17 of Ricky Stenhouse Jr, and No.72 of Cole Whitt would tangle in turn 4. Childers would bring him down pit road under caution for four tires, fuel, and tape off of the grill. The crew would administer a great pit stop of 14.0 seconds and gain him a spot on pit road. He would leave 2nd after coming to the pits in 3rd on lap 357. The race would restart on lap 361.
The green flag would not last long, and as the saying goes, “Cautions breed cautions.” It is a short track Saturday night. The 4th caution of the race would fly on lap 369 for fluid on the race track, Harvick would be scored in the 3rd position. Harvick would pit for more fresh tires. The race would restart on lap 379, scored in the 4th position.
On lap 390 caution flag No. 5 would fly for the No.38 of David Ragan hitting the wall in turn 3. The race restarted on lap 395, he was scored in the 3rd position.
This green flag run would only last two laps as the 6th caution flag would fly on lap 397, setting up green white checkered finishing. The No.17 of Ricky Stenhouse Jr would hit the wall and leave debris on the track. Harvick was scored in the 4th position at the start of the green white checkered finish.
He would finish in the 5th position.
Race Winner Kyle Busch
Harvick is currently scored 4th in the point standings.
A quote from Kevin Harvick’s, Stewart-Haas Racing post-race report:
“We were terrible on the restarts compared to three or four of those guys. I was spinning the tires getting going on the restarts. All of the night taken into consideration, we were way better than we have been in the past, and that is an important race for us to figure out where we need to be with all of the things that didn’t go right tonight. We want to be ready for when we come back here for the playoff race.”
Follow and chat with me here: @CrystalDTitus
|
|
|
Toyota Owners 400 Preview
April 19, 2018
Richmond Raceway
Richmond, VA
Saturday April 21st, 2018
100,100,200=400 laps
Richmond Raceway is a short track that measures just 3/4th of a mile. It is a D-shaped oval. Kevin Harvick will be sponsored by Mobil 1 this weekend. He has 34 Cup Series starts at Richmond. He has started as low as 36th and as high as the Pole. He knows how to find victory lane at Richmond, with 3 wins. However, he has also finished as low as 40th. Leading the field at Richmond is not a problem for him, as he has led a total of 1061 laps. He has 12 top 5s and 21 top 10s.
This weekend I look for the No.4 team to have a good strong run. He has potential to find victory lane once again. There does not look to be rain in the forecast for Saturday night thankfully. We should have great weather to get the race in on schedule.
A quote from Kevin Harvick’s Stewart-Haas Racing pre-race report:
How different will it be with the track transitioning from day to night this weekend?
“Richmond is a racetrack where you have to have a plan. When I say you have to have a plan, you have to know that it’s going to be 50 degrees or high 40s as we go into the night and into the race. As you go from day time practice where it always seems like the car is pushing, then you’ll go into the night and the car will start turning better. The next thing you know you’re starting to get loose off the corner. You have to anticipate where the racetrack is going to go, because of the fact the tires wear out so fast. You’re going to have a certain condition of tight throughout the practice sessions, the tires wear out fast and it only seems to get tighter with the cycles on the tires. It’s a very difficult place to practice on and you have to have a notebook that tells you what the racetrack has done consistently over the past few years. I guess last year we raced in the day, so it’s different when you practice all day and then go into the night. It’s going to be relatively cool as we go there this weekend, so you’ll be leaning on your notebook a lot to try and guess right and make your car do what you want it to do at night and practice during the day.”
Follow and chat with me here: @CrystalDTitus
April 19, 2018
Richmond Raceway
Richmond, VA
Saturday April 21st, 2018
100,100,200=400 laps
Richmond Raceway is a short track that measures just 3/4th of a mile. It is a D-shaped oval. Kevin Harvick will be sponsored by Mobil 1 this weekend. He has 34 Cup Series starts at Richmond. He has started as low as 36th and as high as the Pole. He knows how to find victory lane at Richmond, with 3 wins. However, he has also finished as low as 40th. Leading the field at Richmond is not a problem for him, as he has led a total of 1061 laps. He has 12 top 5s and 21 top 10s.
This weekend I look for the No.4 team to have a good strong run. He has potential to find victory lane once again. There does not look to be rain in the forecast for Saturday night thankfully. We should have great weather to get the race in on schedule.
A quote from Kevin Harvick’s Stewart-Haas Racing pre-race report:
How different will it be with the track transitioning from day to night this weekend?
“Richmond is a racetrack where you have to have a plan. When I say you have to have a plan, you have to know that it’s going to be 50 degrees or high 40s as we go into the night and into the race. As you go from day time practice where it always seems like the car is pushing, then you’ll go into the night and the car will start turning better. The next thing you know you’re starting to get loose off the corner. You have to anticipate where the racetrack is going to go, because of the fact the tires wear out so fast. You’re going to have a certain condition of tight throughout the practice sessions, the tires wear out fast and it only seems to get tighter with the cycles on the tires. It’s a very difficult place to practice on and you have to have a notebook that tells you what the racetrack has done consistently over the past few years. I guess last year we raced in the day, so it’s different when you practice all day and then go into the night. It’s going to be relatively cool as we go there this weekend, so you’ll be leaning on your notebook a lot to try and guess right and make your car do what you want it to do at night and practice during the day.”
Follow and chat with me here: @CrystalDTitus
Food City 500
Sunday, April 15, 2018 (Completed Monday, April 16, 2018)
Bristol Motor Speedway
Bristol, Tennessee
125, 125, 205 = 500 laps
Somewhere, Mother Nature is sitting on her throne looking over her map of the world at events going on. She sees the race track and a NASCAR race that is supposed to happen and, with a flick of the wrist she says, “Oh look a NASCAR race, we need rain, we need inclement weather. Good luck NASCAR community!” So with the thought of the wet weather forecast in mind, everyone was looking ahead for what Monday’s weather might be. The schedule was also moved up an hour to a 1:00 pm start time for Sunday.
Kevin Harvick had something break on his car sending him into the wall during practice, so he would start from the 39th position for Sunday’s Food City 500 at Bristol Motor Speedway. He drove the No.4 Busch Beer Ford Fusion, for Stewart-Haas Racing. At Bristol, the drivers get to choose theme songs for their driver introduction. This year, the fans got to vote for songs. The fans chose a very fitting song by Pharrell, “Happy.”
When the race started, of course it did not take long for the 1st caution flag to fly. The front stretch would collect the No. 9 of Chase Elliott, No. 24 of William Byron, No. 78 of Martin Truex Jr., No. 19 of Daniel Suarez, No. 47 of AJ Allmendinger, No. 15 of Ross Chastain, No. 34 of Michael McDowell, No. 38 of David Ragan, and the No. 66 of Chad Finchum. Harvick had quickly gained nine spots on the track and he was scored in the 30th position at the time of the caution. The race would restart on lap 10. By lap 13, he had taken over the 24th position. He was a man on a mission.
The 2nd caution would fly on lap 17 for the No. 47 of Allmendinger, and the No. 1 of Jamie McMurray tangling up in turn two. Harvick was scored in the 22nd position. Crew chief Rodney Childers elected for the team to stay out on track to gain track position. Harvick was scored in the 17th position for the lap 23 restart. He would break the top 15 on lap 35. The green flag would not last long, as rain was in the area, bringing out the 3rd caution on lap 47. This caution would bring out the first red flag delay that would last 25 minutes. Harvick told the team, “I can’t even believe we got started, to tell you the truth.” When the red flag was lifted, he hit pit road under caution for four tires, fuel, and a few chassis adjustments. This was also considered the competition caution. The No.4 was scored in the 17th position.
A wreck involving the No.17 of Ricky Stenhouse Jr., No. 20 of Erik Jones, and No. 22 of Joey Logano in turn four would bring out the 4th caution flag on lap 62. He was in the 15th position, after barely squeaking by the accident. The race restarted on lap 68. By lap 75 he was scored in the 13th position.
Caution No. 5 would fly on lap 119 for a wreck in turn 3 involving, the No. 12 of Ryan Blaney, No. 1 of McMurray, No. 37 of Chris Beuscher, No. 38 of Ragan, No. 51 of Harrison Rhodes, and the No. 6 of Trevor Bayne. The caution flag would bring out the 2nd red flag of the race. Harvick was scored in the 12th position, tracking down the cars in front of him. The race restarted on lap 125 only to bring out the 6th caution flag as the 1st Segment came to a close. Harvick made his way from the 16th position up to the 12th position on the one lap shoot out for the end of the segment. The team would not pit under the stage caution. When the race resumed on lap 127, the field would once again be racing towards another rain storm possibility. Harvick was scored in the 7th position on lap 140. He had lost two positions since the restart of the race. However, his car was better on the longer runs.
The 7th caution flag of the race would fly on lap 155 for the No. 6 of Bayne in turn four. Harvick was scored in the 8th position. He would pit under caution for four tires and fuel, as well as adjustments. The team would be scored in the 16th position for the lap 160 restart. The 3rd red flag of the race would be displayed for rain on lap 165, lasting for 25 minutes. Drivers were told to stay in their cars for this caution. The race would resume on lap 170. On lap 171, Harvick was already scored in the 8th position after restarting 15th. He would take over the 7th position on lap 184.
Caution No.8 would fly on lap 204 again for rain. This would bring out the 4th red flag of the race. The decision was made to run the rest of the race on Monday at 1:00pm.
Monday’s weather was just as iffy as Sunday’s. As of 11:00am at the track, there was sleet falling. As the drivers were supposed to report to their cars at 12:45 pm for the 1:00 pm start time, the sleet had turned to snow. It would flip flop between snow, sleet, and rain. Spotter Timmy Fedewa brought up a good question as Childers mentioned the new set of tires Goodyear was giving to teams. He asked, “What ever happened to the days, you could have as many tires as you wanted? It's Cup racing. That’s the way it should be.” Childers and Harvick both agreed with him. I agree with this as well. Yes, it could pose an issue with smaller teams, but most teams could benefit from having more tires as well. Fedewa mentioned, “It’s snowing like (expletive) outside turn 3 towards the coach lot.” Childers responded with, “If they don’t get started, it’s gonna start snowing again. It’s already sleeting again.” Harvick's wife, Delana, tweeted the following at this point in the race:
Sunday, April 15, 2018 (Completed Monday, April 16, 2018)
Bristol Motor Speedway
Bristol, Tennessee
125, 125, 205 = 500 laps
Somewhere, Mother Nature is sitting on her throne looking over her map of the world at events going on. She sees the race track and a NASCAR race that is supposed to happen and, with a flick of the wrist she says, “Oh look a NASCAR race, we need rain, we need inclement weather. Good luck NASCAR community!” So with the thought of the wet weather forecast in mind, everyone was looking ahead for what Monday’s weather might be. The schedule was also moved up an hour to a 1:00 pm start time for Sunday.
Kevin Harvick had something break on his car sending him into the wall during practice, so he would start from the 39th position for Sunday’s Food City 500 at Bristol Motor Speedway. He drove the No.4 Busch Beer Ford Fusion, for Stewart-Haas Racing. At Bristol, the drivers get to choose theme songs for their driver introduction. This year, the fans got to vote for songs. The fans chose a very fitting song by Pharrell, “Happy.”
When the race started, of course it did not take long for the 1st caution flag to fly. The front stretch would collect the No. 9 of Chase Elliott, No. 24 of William Byron, No. 78 of Martin Truex Jr., No. 19 of Daniel Suarez, No. 47 of AJ Allmendinger, No. 15 of Ross Chastain, No. 34 of Michael McDowell, No. 38 of David Ragan, and the No. 66 of Chad Finchum. Harvick had quickly gained nine spots on the track and he was scored in the 30th position at the time of the caution. The race would restart on lap 10. By lap 13, he had taken over the 24th position. He was a man on a mission.
The 2nd caution would fly on lap 17 for the No. 47 of Allmendinger, and the No. 1 of Jamie McMurray tangling up in turn two. Harvick was scored in the 22nd position. Crew chief Rodney Childers elected for the team to stay out on track to gain track position. Harvick was scored in the 17th position for the lap 23 restart. He would break the top 15 on lap 35. The green flag would not last long, as rain was in the area, bringing out the 3rd caution on lap 47. This caution would bring out the first red flag delay that would last 25 minutes. Harvick told the team, “I can’t even believe we got started, to tell you the truth.” When the red flag was lifted, he hit pit road under caution for four tires, fuel, and a few chassis adjustments. This was also considered the competition caution. The No.4 was scored in the 17th position.
A wreck involving the No.17 of Ricky Stenhouse Jr., No. 20 of Erik Jones, and No. 22 of Joey Logano in turn four would bring out the 4th caution flag on lap 62. He was in the 15th position, after barely squeaking by the accident. The race restarted on lap 68. By lap 75 he was scored in the 13th position.
Caution No. 5 would fly on lap 119 for a wreck in turn 3 involving, the No. 12 of Ryan Blaney, No. 1 of McMurray, No. 37 of Chris Beuscher, No. 38 of Ragan, No. 51 of Harrison Rhodes, and the No. 6 of Trevor Bayne. The caution flag would bring out the 2nd red flag of the race. Harvick was scored in the 12th position, tracking down the cars in front of him. The race restarted on lap 125 only to bring out the 6th caution flag as the 1st Segment came to a close. Harvick made his way from the 16th position up to the 12th position on the one lap shoot out for the end of the segment. The team would not pit under the stage caution. When the race resumed on lap 127, the field would once again be racing towards another rain storm possibility. Harvick was scored in the 7th position on lap 140. He had lost two positions since the restart of the race. However, his car was better on the longer runs.
The 7th caution flag of the race would fly on lap 155 for the No. 6 of Bayne in turn four. Harvick was scored in the 8th position. He would pit under caution for four tires and fuel, as well as adjustments. The team would be scored in the 16th position for the lap 160 restart. The 3rd red flag of the race would be displayed for rain on lap 165, lasting for 25 minutes. Drivers were told to stay in their cars for this caution. The race would resume on lap 170. On lap 171, Harvick was already scored in the 8th position after restarting 15th. He would take over the 7th position on lap 184.
Caution No.8 would fly on lap 204 again for rain. This would bring out the 4th red flag of the race. The decision was made to run the rest of the race on Monday at 1:00pm.
Monday’s weather was just as iffy as Sunday’s. As of 11:00am at the track, there was sleet falling. As the drivers were supposed to report to their cars at 12:45 pm for the 1:00 pm start time, the sleet had turned to snow. It would flip flop between snow, sleet, and rain. Spotter Timmy Fedewa brought up a good question as Childers mentioned the new set of tires Goodyear was giving to teams. He asked, “What ever happened to the days, you could have as many tires as you wanted? It's Cup racing. That’s the way it should be.” Childers and Harvick both agreed with him. I agree with this as well. Yes, it could pose an issue with smaller teams, but most teams could benefit from having more tires as well. Fedewa mentioned, “It’s snowing like (expletive) outside turn 3 towards the coach lot.” Childers responded with, “If they don’t get started, it’s gonna start snowing again. It’s already sleeting again.” Harvick's wife, Delana, tweeted the following at this point in the race:
“Here domes the snow.” isnt exactly something I expect @RodneyChilders4 to say. ❄️□
— DeLana Harvick (@DeLanaHarvick) April 16, 2018
When the race got under way closer to 1:30 pm, Harvick would restart in the 9th position. There were still 49 laps remaining in Segment 2. On lap 212, Harvick would bring his car down pit road for four tires, fuel, and a lot of adjustments in anticipation of the Monday weather. He would leave pit road in the 10th position, ready for the lap 215 green flag restart. Harvick ended up with some slight damage on the restart, as the field bunched up. He had fallen back a few positions but was back up to the 8th position on lap 217.
The 9th caution of the race would fly on lap 250, signaling the end of Segment 2. The No. 4 was scored in the 8th position, gaining 3 bonus points. He told his crew that the car was too loose on entry and exit. He would hit pit road under caution for four tires, fuel, and an air pressure adjustment. He restarted the race from the 7th position on lap 261.
Harvick would lose a lap to the leaders while racing for the 14th position on lap 320. He would be the first car a lap down. The No. 42 car of Kyle Larson would bring out the 10th caution flag on lap 324. Larson was leading and the No. 31 of Ryan Newman tapped him. Harvick got his lap back, and stated that his car was out of control early in the run. He would hit pit road under caution for four tires, fuel, and an air pressure adjustment, ready for the restart on lap 330 in the 12th position. He would be scored in the 8th position on lap 338.
The 11th caution flag would fly on lap 355 for the No.55 car of Reed Sorenson. Harvick was scored in the 8th position and would hit pit road for four tires, fuel, and another air pressure adjustment, leaving the pits in the 6th position. He would make a second pit stop under caution for a loose wheel. He would have to restart in the 15th position, the tail end of the longest line, after leaving pit road the second time, ready for the lap 365 restart.
The 12th caution would fly on lap 390 for a wintery mix falling from the sky. Harvick was scored 14th and would pit under caution for four tires, fuel, and adjustments. He would restart 15th. He would make his way back into the top 10 by lap 431. By lap 455 he was taking over the 6th position.
The 13th caution of the race would fly on lap 470 for the No.2 car of Brad Keselowski. Harvick was scored in the 4th position. He would hit pit road once again for four tires, and fuel. He would leave pit road in the 8th position.
Kevin Harvick finished 7th.
Race Winner: Kyle Busch
Harvick is now 3rd in the points standings.
A quote from Kevin Harvick's Stewart-Haas Racing post-race report:
“We weren’t that good pretty much the whole time. Today we were worse, especially early on, when we were just really loose. We stayed in there and fought all day. We had another bad pit stop there at the end and wound up seventh. All in all, considering all the circumstances, it was a pretty good weekend.”
Follow and chat with me here: @CrystalDTitus
Food City 500 Preview
Sunday, April 15, 2018
Bristol Motor Speedway
Bristol, Tennessee
125, 125, 205 = 500 laps
Track Length: 0.533-mile concrete oval, concrete racing surface is 40 feet wide
Degree of banking in corners: Variable, 24 to 28 Degrees
Degree of banking in straights: Variable, 6 to 10 Degrees
Straightaways: 650 feet
Thunder Valley, NASCAR Cereal Bowl, call it what you will, it's Bristol, baby! Nestled in the mountains of Bristol, Tennessee, Bristol Motor Speedway is the track that is a test of endurance for drivers, with 500 laps of short track beating and banging.
Kevin Harvick has 34 starts at Bristol. He has started as high as the pole and as low as 40th at Bristol, though he has qualified all over the board. He has won 2 races and also finished 39th. He has 12 Top 5’s, and 17 top 10s. He also has 3 DNFs. It doesn’t matter where he starts. If he can keep his nose clean, he can have a great finish on the track. At barely over a half mile long, Bristol is a tough place to not get caught up in someone else's mess.
Like most drivers, Harvick loves this track. He is no stranger to leading laps here and getting wins in any of the top three series. He is actually one of only a few drivers that has grabbed wins here in all three series. Tempers will flare, but Harvick has the most calming spotter on the stands. He will need to lean on Spotter Timmy Fedewa to keep his temper down and let cooler heads prevail.
Weather could pose an issue this weekend so keep an eye out.
Follow and chat with me here: @CrystalDTitus
Sunday, April 15, 2018
Bristol Motor Speedway
Bristol, Tennessee
125, 125, 205 = 500 laps
Track Length: 0.533-mile concrete oval, concrete racing surface is 40 feet wide
Degree of banking in corners: Variable, 24 to 28 Degrees
Degree of banking in straights: Variable, 6 to 10 Degrees
Straightaways: 650 feet
Thunder Valley, NASCAR Cereal Bowl, call it what you will, it's Bristol, baby! Nestled in the mountains of Bristol, Tennessee, Bristol Motor Speedway is the track that is a test of endurance for drivers, with 500 laps of short track beating and banging.
Kevin Harvick has 34 starts at Bristol. He has started as high as the pole and as low as 40th at Bristol, though he has qualified all over the board. He has won 2 races and also finished 39th. He has 12 Top 5’s, and 17 top 10s. He also has 3 DNFs. It doesn’t matter where he starts. If he can keep his nose clean, he can have a great finish on the track. At barely over a half mile long, Bristol is a tough place to not get caught up in someone else's mess.
Like most drivers, Harvick loves this track. He is no stranger to leading laps here and getting wins in any of the top three series. He is actually one of only a few drivers that has grabbed wins here in all three series. Tempers will flare, but Harvick has the most calming spotter on the stands. He will need to lean on Spotter Timmy Fedewa to keep his temper down and let cooler heads prevail.
Weather could pose an issue this weekend so keep an eye out.
Follow and chat with me here: @CrystalDTitus
O’Reilly Auto Parts 500
April 8th, 2018
Texas Motor Speedway
Fort Worth, TX
85, 85 ,164 = 334 laps
Oval: 1.5 miles
Width: 58 feet (minimum)
Turns: 750-foot radius
Banking: 24 degrees in turns, five degrees in straightaways
Front stretch: 2,250 feet long
Backstretch: 1,330 feet long
Fun Fact. Texas Motor Speedway has enough permanent lighting to illuminate 11 NFL stadiums.
Kevin Harvick has 31 starts at Texas. He has qualified as high as 1st and as low as 33rd. He has 1 DNF. He has finished as high as 1 win and as low as 42nd. He has 19 top-10 finishes, and 9 top-5 finishes.
Kevin Harvick qualified 2nd for Sunday’s race at Texas Motor Speedway. Two of his 3 teammates would start in the 1st and 3rd position, the No.41 of Kurt Busch and the No.14 of Clint Bowyer. This would be the first time in the 10-year history of Stewart-Haas Racing that the team would start 1-2-3. This race also marked the 1000th race for Stewart-Haas Racing.
It would not take long for the first caution to fly. On lap 2 the No. 88 of Alex Bowman clipped the apron, damaging the No. 19 of Daniel Suarez, No. 3 of Austin Dillon, No. 21 of Paul Menard. Harvick would be scored as the race lead already. The race would go back to green on lap 6. He would set sail and pace the field as the leader until he surrendered the lead pitting under green on lap 44. He would pit for four tires and fuel. He would retake the lead on lap 56.
The 2nd caution would fly on lap 80 as the No.78 of Martin Truex Jr blew a tire and hit the wall. Harvick was a full 12 seconds in front of 2nd place Truex at the time. The field would stay under caution and this would also bring out the green-checkered flag, or as I call it the end of segment one caution, on lap 85. Harvick would gain 10 bonus points, and a playoff point for winning the segment.
He would hit pit road to the attention of crew chief Rodney Childers for four tires and fuel. The No.4 Ford Fusion was ready for the race restart on lap 89 in the 2nd position. The Wheelman would be chasing down the leader No.18 Kyle Busch, and would retake the lead on lap 117.
The 3rd caution would fly on lap 128 for the No.42 of Kyle Larson. This caution would also bring out a short 15 minute red flag for clean-up. Harvick was still scored as the race leader. He would once again pit under caution for four tires, fuel, and a small air pressure adjustment. There was, once again, another lug nut issue that would plague the No.4 team.
The lug nut got caught in the jack causing a slow stop, it was a freak pit stop deal. Harvick would be scored in the 9th position after the stop. He would report a loose wheel on lap 135, after losing 3 spots to the 12th position. He would hit pit road under green to the attention of the crew for four tires and would be scored one lap down in the 22nd position.
Caution No.4 would fly on lap 170, signaling the end of segment two. Harvick was scored in the 15th position. He fell just one lap shy of the free pass position. He would pit for four tires, fuel, and exclaimed there might be another loose wheel. The restart would not last long as the 5th caution would fly on lap 179, involving the No.2 of Brad Keselowski, No.3 of Austin Dillon, No.10 of Aric Almirola, No.11 of Denny Hamlin, No. 38 of David Ragan, and the No.48 of Jimmie Johnson.
The race would restart on lap 182, he would be scored one lap down in the 12th position. After falling back on the restart, he would race his way back up to the 13th position by lap 191, again being the 2nd car a lap down. The No.4 team would be in a heated battle for the lucky dog position, battling the No.43 of Bubba Wallace, and then the No.9 of Chase Elliott. Harvick would succeed at the first car a lap down in the 11th position on lap 224.
As green-flag pit stops would be upon the field again Harvick would be scored in the 4th position as leaders hit pit road on lap 232. However, the 6th caution flag would fly on lap 235 as the No.21 of Paul Menard would have problems. This would be a huge break for the No.4, as he was scored in the 2nd position once again. He would be back on the lead lap as well. However, the team would be hit with another penalty of too many men over the wall and drop back to the 13th position once again.
On lap 250, the 7th caution flag would fly for an incident with the No.6 of Trevor Bayne, and the No.95 of Kasey Kahne. The race would restart on lap 254. By lap 261 Harvick was scored in the 7th position.
The Wheelman would break the top 5 on lap 269, he was flying fast. He would be scored in the 2nd position on lap 275, once again chasing the No.18 of Kyle Busch. The No.4 would have to pit under green once again on lap 291 for four tires and fuel.
The 8th and final caution flag of the race would fly on lap 304 for the No.31 of Ryan Newman. Harvick was scored in the 4h position. The team would elect to stay out under caution. Harvick would restart the race with 25 laps remaining in the 2nd position.
Kevin would finish 2nd.
Race Winner Kyle Busch.
Follow and chat with me here: @CrystalDTitus
April 8th, 2018
Texas Motor Speedway
Fort Worth, TX
85, 85 ,164 = 334 laps
Oval: 1.5 miles
Width: 58 feet (minimum)
Turns: 750-foot radius
Banking: 24 degrees in turns, five degrees in straightaways
Front stretch: 2,250 feet long
Backstretch: 1,330 feet long
Fun Fact. Texas Motor Speedway has enough permanent lighting to illuminate 11 NFL stadiums.
Kevin Harvick has 31 starts at Texas. He has qualified as high as 1st and as low as 33rd. He has 1 DNF. He has finished as high as 1 win and as low as 42nd. He has 19 top-10 finishes, and 9 top-5 finishes.
Kevin Harvick qualified 2nd for Sunday’s race at Texas Motor Speedway. Two of his 3 teammates would start in the 1st and 3rd position, the No.41 of Kurt Busch and the No.14 of Clint Bowyer. This would be the first time in the 10-year history of Stewart-Haas Racing that the team would start 1-2-3. This race also marked the 1000th race for Stewart-Haas Racing.
It would not take long for the first caution to fly. On lap 2 the No. 88 of Alex Bowman clipped the apron, damaging the No. 19 of Daniel Suarez, No. 3 of Austin Dillon, No. 21 of Paul Menard. Harvick would be scored as the race lead already. The race would go back to green on lap 6. He would set sail and pace the field as the leader until he surrendered the lead pitting under green on lap 44. He would pit for four tires and fuel. He would retake the lead on lap 56.
The 2nd caution would fly on lap 80 as the No.78 of Martin Truex Jr blew a tire and hit the wall. Harvick was a full 12 seconds in front of 2nd place Truex at the time. The field would stay under caution and this would also bring out the green-checkered flag, or as I call it the end of segment one caution, on lap 85. Harvick would gain 10 bonus points, and a playoff point for winning the segment.
He would hit pit road to the attention of crew chief Rodney Childers for four tires and fuel. The No.4 Ford Fusion was ready for the race restart on lap 89 in the 2nd position. The Wheelman would be chasing down the leader No.18 Kyle Busch, and would retake the lead on lap 117.
The 3rd caution would fly on lap 128 for the No.42 of Kyle Larson. This caution would also bring out a short 15 minute red flag for clean-up. Harvick was still scored as the race leader. He would once again pit under caution for four tires, fuel, and a small air pressure adjustment. There was, once again, another lug nut issue that would plague the No.4 team.
The lug nut got caught in the jack causing a slow stop, it was a freak pit stop deal. Harvick would be scored in the 9th position after the stop. He would report a loose wheel on lap 135, after losing 3 spots to the 12th position. He would hit pit road under green to the attention of the crew for four tires and would be scored one lap down in the 22nd position.
Caution No.4 would fly on lap 170, signaling the end of segment two. Harvick was scored in the 15th position. He fell just one lap shy of the free pass position. He would pit for four tires, fuel, and exclaimed there might be another loose wheel. The restart would not last long as the 5th caution would fly on lap 179, involving the No.2 of Brad Keselowski, No.3 of Austin Dillon, No.10 of Aric Almirola, No.11 of Denny Hamlin, No. 38 of David Ragan, and the No.48 of Jimmie Johnson.
The race would restart on lap 182, he would be scored one lap down in the 12th position. After falling back on the restart, he would race his way back up to the 13th position by lap 191, again being the 2nd car a lap down. The No.4 team would be in a heated battle for the lucky dog position, battling the No.43 of Bubba Wallace, and then the No.9 of Chase Elliott. Harvick would succeed at the first car a lap down in the 11th position on lap 224.
As green-flag pit stops would be upon the field again Harvick would be scored in the 4th position as leaders hit pit road on lap 232. However, the 6th caution flag would fly on lap 235 as the No.21 of Paul Menard would have problems. This would be a huge break for the No.4, as he was scored in the 2nd position once again. He would be back on the lead lap as well. However, the team would be hit with another penalty of too many men over the wall and drop back to the 13th position once again.
On lap 250, the 7th caution flag would fly for an incident with the No.6 of Trevor Bayne, and the No.95 of Kasey Kahne. The race would restart on lap 254. By lap 261 Harvick was scored in the 7th position.
The Wheelman would break the top 5 on lap 269, he was flying fast. He would be scored in the 2nd position on lap 275, once again chasing the No.18 of Kyle Busch. The No.4 would have to pit under green once again on lap 291 for four tires and fuel.
The 8th and final caution flag of the race would fly on lap 304 for the No.31 of Ryan Newman. Harvick was scored in the 4h position. The team would elect to stay out under caution. Harvick would restart the race with 25 laps remaining in the 2nd position.
Kevin would finish 2nd.
Race Winner Kyle Busch.
Follow and chat with me here: @CrystalDTitus
STP 500
Monday, March 26, 2018
Martinsville Speedway
Martinsville, Virginia
130, 130, 240 = 500 laps
Snow! Snow! Go Away! We really want to race Sunday. The tail end of a NorEaster storm was set to cause problems in Martinsville, Virginia. Impending weather of up to a foot of snow was set to hit Saturday afternoon, and hit it did. The Nascar Camping World Truck Series race was red flagged and all track activity was canceled for Saturday just 24 laps into the 250 lap race. Qualifying for the Cup series would be set by owner's points.
At least 8 inches or more of snow was dropped on Martinsville overnight into Sunday morning. This was more than the area was anticipating. NASCAR and Martinsville Speedway made the call at 7am, Sunday morning. The truck race would run at 11am Monday morning. The Cup race would run at 2pm on Monday. NASCAR called a lap 50 competition caution for the Cup race.
Kevin Harvick was set to start the race in the 8th position. All would be pretty quiet from the beginning as he lost a position or two in the early laps. By lap 26 he was taking the 7th position back from teammate Clint Bowyer. His car was getting better as the run progressed.
The 1st caution came out on lap 50 as the Competition Caution. Harvick would pit for four tires, a wedge and air pressure adjustment, and fuel. A minor incident on pit road with teammate No. 10 Aric Almirola would cause some cosmetic damage to the front quarter panel of the car. He was scored in 6th. He would stay around the 6th position for the remainder of the stage.
The 2nd caution of the race would fly on lap 130 signaling the end of Segment 1. He would be scored in the 6th position, gaining 5 bonus points. The team would bring Harvick to pit road under caution for four tires, fuel, wedge and air pressure adjustments, working on small things to make the car even better. The crew also made repairs to the cosmetic damage on the right front fender. Harvick would leave pit road in the 8th position. The driver would begin to make his way through traffic as he would be up to the 6th positon on lap 198.
As the 3rd caution waved on lap 260, it would signal the end of Segment 2. Harvick would be scored in the 6th position once again gaining 5 bonus points. He would hit pit road to the attention of crew chief Rodney Childers once again. He would take four tires, fuel, and some other small adjustments. The crew would give him a great stop and gain one position on pit road. He would restart in the 5th position, on lap 267.
By lap 292 he would pass the No.21 of Ryan Blaney and take over the 4th position. His car would turn towards the tight side, and on lap 322 he informed the team that he was too tight late in the center. He would lose the 4th position back to Blaney. The No.4 car fell back once again on lap 355 to the No.47 of AJ Allmendinger. He would be scored 6th, looking at the bigger picture, and not wanting to potentially harm his car more. Harvick would be on a mission by lap 380. His car had come back to him and he moved back into the 4th position.
The 4th caution of the race would take place on lap 385 for the No.1 car of Jamie McMurray who would end up spun around and in the outside wall. Harvick would ask for more of the same changes the team did in the last stop. He was tight off the corner early in the run, claiming the track may have tightened up. He would hit pit road on lap 387, once again for four tires, fuel, and adjustments. He hit pit road in 4th and left in the 5th position.
On lap 450 with only 50 laps remaining in the race he was quietly running in the 5th position.
Kevin Harvick would finish 5th.
Race Winner teammate Clint Bowyer breaking 190 race winless streak.
Follow and chat with me here: @CrystalDTitus
Monday, March 26, 2018
Martinsville Speedway
Martinsville, Virginia
130, 130, 240 = 500 laps
Snow! Snow! Go Away! We really want to race Sunday. The tail end of a NorEaster storm was set to cause problems in Martinsville, Virginia. Impending weather of up to a foot of snow was set to hit Saturday afternoon, and hit it did. The Nascar Camping World Truck Series race was red flagged and all track activity was canceled for Saturday just 24 laps into the 250 lap race. Qualifying for the Cup series would be set by owner's points.
At least 8 inches or more of snow was dropped on Martinsville overnight into Sunday morning. This was more than the area was anticipating. NASCAR and Martinsville Speedway made the call at 7am, Sunday morning. The truck race would run at 11am Monday morning. The Cup race would run at 2pm on Monday. NASCAR called a lap 50 competition caution for the Cup race.
Kevin Harvick was set to start the race in the 8th position. All would be pretty quiet from the beginning as he lost a position or two in the early laps. By lap 26 he was taking the 7th position back from teammate Clint Bowyer. His car was getting better as the run progressed.
The 1st caution came out on lap 50 as the Competition Caution. Harvick would pit for four tires, a wedge and air pressure adjustment, and fuel. A minor incident on pit road with teammate No. 10 Aric Almirola would cause some cosmetic damage to the front quarter panel of the car. He was scored in 6th. He would stay around the 6th position for the remainder of the stage.
The 2nd caution of the race would fly on lap 130 signaling the end of Segment 1. He would be scored in the 6th position, gaining 5 bonus points. The team would bring Harvick to pit road under caution for four tires, fuel, wedge and air pressure adjustments, working on small things to make the car even better. The crew also made repairs to the cosmetic damage on the right front fender. Harvick would leave pit road in the 8th position. The driver would begin to make his way through traffic as he would be up to the 6th positon on lap 198.
As the 3rd caution waved on lap 260, it would signal the end of Segment 2. Harvick would be scored in the 6th position once again gaining 5 bonus points. He would hit pit road to the attention of crew chief Rodney Childers once again. He would take four tires, fuel, and some other small adjustments. The crew would give him a great stop and gain one position on pit road. He would restart in the 5th position, on lap 267.
By lap 292 he would pass the No.21 of Ryan Blaney and take over the 4th position. His car would turn towards the tight side, and on lap 322 he informed the team that he was too tight late in the center. He would lose the 4th position back to Blaney. The No.4 car fell back once again on lap 355 to the No.47 of AJ Allmendinger. He would be scored 6th, looking at the bigger picture, and not wanting to potentially harm his car more. Harvick would be on a mission by lap 380. His car had come back to him and he moved back into the 4th position.
The 4th caution of the race would take place on lap 385 for the No.1 car of Jamie McMurray who would end up spun around and in the outside wall. Harvick would ask for more of the same changes the team did in the last stop. He was tight off the corner early in the run, claiming the track may have tightened up. He would hit pit road on lap 387, once again for four tires, fuel, and adjustments. He hit pit road in 4th and left in the 5th position.
On lap 450 with only 50 laps remaining in the race he was quietly running in the 5th position.
Kevin Harvick would finish 5th.
Race Winner teammate Clint Bowyer breaking 190 race winless streak.
Follow and chat with me here: @CrystalDTitus
NEWS: @MartinsvilleSwy doubleheader postponed to Monday.
— NASCAR (@NASCAR) March 25, 2018
Details: https://t.co/xf522AtMFU pic.twitter.com/QEmhfPk8IJ
STP 500 Preview
March 22, 2018
Martinsville Speedway
Martinsville, Virginia
Sunday, March 25th, 2018
130, 130, 240 laps = 500 laps
Completed: 1947
Track Length: 0.526 miles
Shape: Oval
The Martinsville Speedway is commonly known as the “Paper Clip”. There are pit boxes on the front stretch and also on the back stretch. Pit road being laid out this way is what gives the track its nickname. It is the only track that has hosted a Cup series race since the beginning of the Cup series in 1949. It is NASCAR’s shortest track on the circuit. Notably, the track recently announced that they will be adding LED lighting next year for a night time race.
Kevin Harvick has 33 starts at Martinsville. He has just one pole, coming back in March of 2010. He has also qualified as low as 36th, back in October of that same year. Harvick has one Cup series Martinsville Grandfather Clock in his trophy case, thanks to his lone victory here back in April of 2011. He has 4 top 5’s and 15 top 10 finishes but he has also finished as low as 41st (April, 2007). He has only one DNF at the Paper Clip, coming back in October of 2012. Harvick has led a total of 628 laps at Martinsville. Harvick's No. 4 Ford Fusion will be sponsored by Jimmy John’s this weekend.
This weekend could have some delays with it, as there is the tail end of the most recent nor'easter winter storm passing over Martinsville. It looks like a snow shower Sunday morning, turning into a nice afternoon for the race. If you are going to the track, be careful and dress warmly. Watch out for icy roads. Here is to hoping Harvick has put his one bad race behind him and that he can turn his luck back around this week.
I will be at the track with live updates, so pay attention to all of the Ladies of Speed social media accounts for track side updates. @CrystalDTitus is my twitter account, or @LOSdotOrg on all social media platforms.
Follow and chat with me here: @CrystalDTitus
March 22, 2018
Martinsville Speedway
Martinsville, Virginia
Sunday, March 25th, 2018
130, 130, 240 laps = 500 laps
Completed: 1947
Track Length: 0.526 miles
Shape: Oval
The Martinsville Speedway is commonly known as the “Paper Clip”. There are pit boxes on the front stretch and also on the back stretch. Pit road being laid out this way is what gives the track its nickname. It is the only track that has hosted a Cup series race since the beginning of the Cup series in 1949. It is NASCAR’s shortest track on the circuit. Notably, the track recently announced that they will be adding LED lighting next year for a night time race.
Kevin Harvick has 33 starts at Martinsville. He has just one pole, coming back in March of 2010. He has also qualified as low as 36th, back in October of that same year. Harvick has one Cup series Martinsville Grandfather Clock in his trophy case, thanks to his lone victory here back in April of 2011. He has 4 top 5’s and 15 top 10 finishes but he has also finished as low as 41st (April, 2007). He has only one DNF at the Paper Clip, coming back in October of 2012. Harvick has led a total of 628 laps at Martinsville. Harvick's No. 4 Ford Fusion will be sponsored by Jimmy John’s this weekend.
This weekend could have some delays with it, as there is the tail end of the most recent nor'easter winter storm passing over Martinsville. It looks like a snow shower Sunday morning, turning into a nice afternoon for the race. If you are going to the track, be careful and dress warmly. Watch out for icy roads. Here is to hoping Harvick has put his one bad race behind him and that he can turn his luck back around this week.
I will be at the track with live updates, so pay attention to all of the Ladies of Speed social media accounts for track side updates. @CrystalDTitus is my twitter account, or @LOSdotOrg on all social media platforms.
Follow and chat with me here: @CrystalDTitus
California
March 18, 2018
Auto Club 400
Auto Club Speedway
Fontana, California
60 laps, 60 laps, 80 laps = 200 laps
Kevin Harvick qualified 10th for Sunday’s Auto Club 400 at Fontana. There was some rain but it was not enough to warrant a competition caution. He would drop back to the 12th position from the start, however by lap 4 he would break back into the top 10. He quickly began to work his way up towards the front with this Busch Beer Ford Fusion looking good. Harvick would inform his team on lap 10 that he was, “A tick tighter into turn three.” He had flown up to the 5th position on lap 15. He was like a shark seeking his prey. Harvick took over the 4th position on lap 18.
The first round of green flag pit stops would be upon the field on lap 27. The No.4 Busch Beer Ford Fusion would pit to the attention of crew chief Rodney Childers. He would acquire four tires and fuel. The team would pull some tape off the grill as well to help with the handling. He entered the pits 4th and left the pits 4th.
Harvick would slide sideways across the back stretch after contact with the No.42 of Kyle Larson, bringing out the 1st caution. He would end up in the wall on lap 37. This would send his day straight south. The team would attempt to make repairs, dealing with the crash clock. They would make a few stops to repair damages, fixing the right front. Under the caution and multiple trips down pit road the team would be cutting pieces and adding pieces back to the car. They would hit the track again and meet minimum speed. The No.4 would restart the race on lap 40, in the 36th position 2 laps down. Harvick would smell a tire rub on lap 45.
The 2nd caution would fly on lap 60 signaling the end of segment one. Harvick would be scored 3 laps down in the 37th position. His team would make more front end repairs to make the car more drivable. The race would restart on lap 67. The team was now 5 laps down. They made multiple stops to work on the car. Due to the fact they cleared the caution clock they could make more stops.
But being stuck laps down in 37th position, Harvick would not advance his finishing position by much. We will stick the race behind us and head to Martinsville, Virginia next week.
Kevin Harvick officially finished in the 35th position, 9 laps down.
Race Winner Martin Truex Jr.
Harvick is now 8th in the point standings.
A quote from Kevin Harvick’s Stewart-Haas race report:
“I went down to side draft and he (Larson) was coming up and we touched, and it just knocked the thing to the right and spun out. I don’t know that it’s his fault. I think that’s my fault for coming down the racetrack right there and trying to side draft and then as we touch it just came back up the racetrack. I was just trying to get a little too much right there. I knew the stage was coming in. I’ve just got to thank all of my guys. They did a great job on our Busch Beer Ford and it was just my fault back there.”
Follow and chat with me here: @CrystalDTitus
March 18, 2018
Auto Club 400
Auto Club Speedway
Fontana, California
60 laps, 60 laps, 80 laps = 200 laps
Kevin Harvick qualified 10th for Sunday’s Auto Club 400 at Fontana. There was some rain but it was not enough to warrant a competition caution. He would drop back to the 12th position from the start, however by lap 4 he would break back into the top 10. He quickly began to work his way up towards the front with this Busch Beer Ford Fusion looking good. Harvick would inform his team on lap 10 that he was, “A tick tighter into turn three.” He had flown up to the 5th position on lap 15. He was like a shark seeking his prey. Harvick took over the 4th position on lap 18.
The first round of green flag pit stops would be upon the field on lap 27. The No.4 Busch Beer Ford Fusion would pit to the attention of crew chief Rodney Childers. He would acquire four tires and fuel. The team would pull some tape off the grill as well to help with the handling. He entered the pits 4th and left the pits 4th.
Harvick would slide sideways across the back stretch after contact with the No.42 of Kyle Larson, bringing out the 1st caution. He would end up in the wall on lap 37. This would send his day straight south. The team would attempt to make repairs, dealing with the crash clock. They would make a few stops to repair damages, fixing the right front. Under the caution and multiple trips down pit road the team would be cutting pieces and adding pieces back to the car. They would hit the track again and meet minimum speed. The No.4 would restart the race on lap 40, in the 36th position 2 laps down. Harvick would smell a tire rub on lap 45.
The 2nd caution would fly on lap 60 signaling the end of segment one. Harvick would be scored 3 laps down in the 37th position. His team would make more front end repairs to make the car more drivable. The race would restart on lap 67. The team was now 5 laps down. They made multiple stops to work on the car. Due to the fact they cleared the caution clock they could make more stops.
But being stuck laps down in 37th position, Harvick would not advance his finishing position by much. We will stick the race behind us and head to Martinsville, Virginia next week.
Kevin Harvick officially finished in the 35th position, 9 laps down.
Race Winner Martin Truex Jr.
Harvick is now 8th in the point standings.
A quote from Kevin Harvick’s Stewart-Haas race report:
“I went down to side draft and he (Larson) was coming up and we touched, and it just knocked the thing to the right and spun out. I don’t know that it’s his fault. I think that’s my fault for coming down the racetrack right there and trying to side draft and then as we touch it just came back up the racetrack. I was just trying to get a little too much right there. I knew the stage was coming in. I’ve just got to thank all of my guys. They did a great job on our Busch Beer Ford and it was just my fault back there.”
Follow and chat with me here: @CrystalDTitus
|
|
Auto Club 400 Preview
March 16, 2018
Auto Club Speedway
Fontana, California
Sunday, March 18th, 2018
60, 60, 80 laps = 200 laps
Track Length: 2 miles
Shape: D-shaped oval
Banking in the turns: 14 degrees
Track Width: 75 feet wide plus 15 foot apron
Kevin Harvick has 24 starts at Fontana. Out of those 24 starts, he has scored 1 win (2011), 6 top 5’s, 11 top 10’s, and only 2 DNFs. He has qualified as high as 2nd (2015 and 2016), with his average starting position around 15th. His worst start was 37th (2003). His average finish is around 15th, having scored a 13th place finish here last year. Harvick is riding a hot streak of three straight wins coming into this weekend, though, so there is a chance he could make it four straight. He has led a total of 237 laps at this track. This week, Harvick is sponsored by Busch Beer.
Follow and chat with me here: @CrystalDTitus
March 16, 2018
Auto Club Speedway
Fontana, California
Sunday, March 18th, 2018
60, 60, 80 laps = 200 laps
Track Length: 2 miles
Shape: D-shaped oval
Banking in the turns: 14 degrees
Track Width: 75 feet wide plus 15 foot apron
Kevin Harvick has 24 starts at Fontana. Out of those 24 starts, he has scored 1 win (2011), 6 top 5’s, 11 top 10’s, and only 2 DNFs. He has qualified as high as 2nd (2015 and 2016), with his average starting position around 15th. His worst start was 37th (2003). His average finish is around 15th, having scored a 13th place finish here last year. Harvick is riding a hot streak of three straight wins coming into this weekend, though, so there is a chance he could make it four straight. He has led a total of 237 laps at this track. This week, Harvick is sponsored by Busch Beer.
Follow and chat with me here: @CrystalDTitus
"We lived off @DeLanaHarvick's credit cards for about three months."-
— FOX: NASCAR (@NASCARONFOX) March 12, 2018
@KevinHarvick talks with @DarylMotte about the hardest decision he ever had to make, back before he signed with RCR. pic.twitter.com/LGqf2u6TbE
Ticket Guardian 500
March 11, 2018
ISM Raceway
Avondale, AZ
75,75,162 = 312 laps
Kevin Harvick qualified 10th for Sunday’s race at ISM Raceway. Rain, imagine that. Wait, what, rain in the desert, oh yeah NASCAR race. The saying goes if you need rain just have a NASCAR race. There was rain the night before and the morning of the race, warranting a competition caution on lap 35.
Harvick would gain two spots on the track and be scored in the 8th position by lap 10. Crew chief Rodney Childers told his driver, “Get what you can now and we will put stickers on it at the lap 35 comp caution. We will get to the front after that.” His car was a little on the loose side everywhere around the track. He was up to 7th position by lap 17. The No.4 Jimmy Johns Ford was Freaky Fast, taking over the 6th position from the No.88 of Alex Bowman, on lap 21.
The first caution flag flew at lap 25 for the No.72 car of Corey LaJoie losing an engine. NASCAR informed the crews that this caution would count as the competition caution. Harvick’s car was still a bit free, but it was all-in-all pretty good. He would hit pit road under caution from the 6th position, for four tires, fuel, and an air pressure adjustment. He would gain one position thanks to a the pit crew on pit road. The No.4 was ready for the restart on lap 33.
He would take over the 4th position from the No.78 of Martin Truex Jr on lap 40. He was quickly making his way towards the front. Seeing as how Harvick has 8 wins at ISM Raceway, he did have a good chance at another win. He took the 3rd position for the No.11 of Denny Hamlin on lap 48. Harvick would take the 2nd position for the No.42 of Kyle Larson on lap 62. Childers would ask spotter Timmy Fedewa to ask the driver, "How is oil temps?"
On lap 75 the 2nd caution would fly signaling the end of segment one. Harvick would be scored in the 2nd position, gaining 9 bonus points. Under caution he would pit to the attention of the crew and acquire four tires, fuel, and small adjustments. Ready for the restart on lap 83 in the 2nd position. The race was fairly quiet for the next run. Different strategies would begin to play out.
The 3rd caution of the race would fly on lap 121 for the No.42 of Kyle Larson spinning. Harvick would hit pit road under caution from the 2nd position. He would get four tires, fuel, and an air pressure adjustment, to help with the loose-handling condition. The No.4 would fall back a few positions after pitting due to a few cars taking two tires. He would be ready for the restart on lap 126 in the 6th position. By lap 130 the No.4 had already flown up to the 4th position.
There was some radio chatter between Childers, Fedewa, and Harvick on how the apron was not doing much for a lot of the drivers. They were thinking it was possibly too loose in that area to make it work for most of the drivers.
The 4th caution of the race would fly on lap 143 for the No.37 car of Chris Buescher getting into the wall. There would only be a quicky yellow, as he was able to drive to pit road. Harvick would hit pit road under caution on lap 146 for four tires, fuel, and the usual air pressure adjustment the car needed to help the loose conditions. Another Freaky Fast stop by the Jimmy John’s pit crew and he left pit road in 2nd position, however due to pit strategies, he would be scored in 8th position, ready for the lap 149 restart.
The race would go green for one lap, racing for the end of segment two at lap 150. Caution flag No.5 would fly on lap 150 signaling the end of segment two. Harvick was scored in the 7th position, grabbing 4 bonus points. He would restart in the 2nd position on lap 163. On lap 178 he would take the lead.
Caution flag No. 6 would fly on lap 190 for the No.21 car of Paul Menard having problems. Harvick was still scored as the leader. He would pit for four tires. He would restart in the 4th position due to the top two cars taking two tires. The race restarted on lap 198. He had driven all the way back up to the 2nd position by lap 210. The No. 11 of Denny Hamlin was still leading.
There would be a great battle for the lead between Harvick, Kyle Busch, and Hamlin all battling hard. Ky Busch would prevail. Harvick would continue to chase the No.18 for the lead. Green flag pit stops would be underway around lap 255. Harvick would pit under green from the 2nd position for four tires, fuel, and another air pressure adjustment.
As the field cycled through the No.4 would continue his charge back to the front of the field. He would race against the No.9 of Chase Elliott for position. He was back up to the 4th position by lap 274, the top 3 cars had yet to make their pit stops. Spotter Timmy Fedewa would inform his driver, “We’re better on the top, Kyle is on the bottom in 3 and 4.”
With 25 laps remaining, on lap 287 the No.31 of Ryan Newman was leading as he made his final pit stop. Harvick took the lead back. He would not look back on the field as the No.18 of Kyle Busch tried to track him down.
Winner Kevin Harvick
Harvick is currently leading the points standings.
Harvick is the first driver in 25 years to win 3 of the first 4 races. The last driver to do so was Harry Gant. Harvick is the first driver to win 3 races in a row since Joey Logano did so in October of 2015.
Kevin Harvick said in his TV interview after the race in Victory Lane, “Everyone was determined this week. We didn’t stomp them, but we won, and that’s all that matters.”
A quote from Kevin Harvick, Stewart-Haas Racing report:
“I’ve been mad as all get out because this team does a great job. This organization does a great job, and we’ve got fast racecars. And to take that away from those guys just really pissed me off last week. To come here to a racetrack that is so good for us is a lot of fun, and everyone was just determined this week, and we just wanted to just go stomp them. We didn’t stomp them, but we won. That’s all that really matters. Just proud of this team. Put a fire in our belly. I’ve just got to thank everyone at Jimmy John’s, Busch, Ford, Mobil 1, Outback, Hunt Brothers, Morton Buildings, Textron, Liftmaster, Haas Automation. I always forget the owners – Gene Haas and Tony Stewart. What a bad-ass team right there!”
Follow and chat with me here: @CrystalDTitus
March 11, 2018
ISM Raceway
Avondale, AZ
75,75,162 = 312 laps
Kevin Harvick qualified 10th for Sunday’s race at ISM Raceway. Rain, imagine that. Wait, what, rain in the desert, oh yeah NASCAR race. The saying goes if you need rain just have a NASCAR race. There was rain the night before and the morning of the race, warranting a competition caution on lap 35.
Harvick would gain two spots on the track and be scored in the 8th position by lap 10. Crew chief Rodney Childers told his driver, “Get what you can now and we will put stickers on it at the lap 35 comp caution. We will get to the front after that.” His car was a little on the loose side everywhere around the track. He was up to 7th position by lap 17. The No.4 Jimmy Johns Ford was Freaky Fast, taking over the 6th position from the No.88 of Alex Bowman, on lap 21.
The first caution flag flew at lap 25 for the No.72 car of Corey LaJoie losing an engine. NASCAR informed the crews that this caution would count as the competition caution. Harvick’s car was still a bit free, but it was all-in-all pretty good. He would hit pit road under caution from the 6th position, for four tires, fuel, and an air pressure adjustment. He would gain one position thanks to a the pit crew on pit road. The No.4 was ready for the restart on lap 33.
He would take over the 4th position from the No.78 of Martin Truex Jr on lap 40. He was quickly making his way towards the front. Seeing as how Harvick has 8 wins at ISM Raceway, he did have a good chance at another win. He took the 3rd position for the No.11 of Denny Hamlin on lap 48. Harvick would take the 2nd position for the No.42 of Kyle Larson on lap 62. Childers would ask spotter Timmy Fedewa to ask the driver, "How is oil temps?"
On lap 75 the 2nd caution would fly signaling the end of segment one. Harvick would be scored in the 2nd position, gaining 9 bonus points. Under caution he would pit to the attention of the crew and acquire four tires, fuel, and small adjustments. Ready for the restart on lap 83 in the 2nd position. The race was fairly quiet for the next run. Different strategies would begin to play out.
The 3rd caution of the race would fly on lap 121 for the No.42 of Kyle Larson spinning. Harvick would hit pit road under caution from the 2nd position. He would get four tires, fuel, and an air pressure adjustment, to help with the loose-handling condition. The No.4 would fall back a few positions after pitting due to a few cars taking two tires. He would be ready for the restart on lap 126 in the 6th position. By lap 130 the No.4 had already flown up to the 4th position.
There was some radio chatter between Childers, Fedewa, and Harvick on how the apron was not doing much for a lot of the drivers. They were thinking it was possibly too loose in that area to make it work for most of the drivers.
The 4th caution of the race would fly on lap 143 for the No.37 car of Chris Buescher getting into the wall. There would only be a quicky yellow, as he was able to drive to pit road. Harvick would hit pit road under caution on lap 146 for four tires, fuel, and the usual air pressure adjustment the car needed to help the loose conditions. Another Freaky Fast stop by the Jimmy John’s pit crew and he left pit road in 2nd position, however due to pit strategies, he would be scored in 8th position, ready for the lap 149 restart.
The race would go green for one lap, racing for the end of segment two at lap 150. Caution flag No.5 would fly on lap 150 signaling the end of segment two. Harvick was scored in the 7th position, grabbing 4 bonus points. He would restart in the 2nd position on lap 163. On lap 178 he would take the lead.
Caution flag No. 6 would fly on lap 190 for the No.21 car of Paul Menard having problems. Harvick was still scored as the leader. He would pit for four tires. He would restart in the 4th position due to the top two cars taking two tires. The race restarted on lap 198. He had driven all the way back up to the 2nd position by lap 210. The No. 11 of Denny Hamlin was still leading.
There would be a great battle for the lead between Harvick, Kyle Busch, and Hamlin all battling hard. Ky Busch would prevail. Harvick would continue to chase the No.18 for the lead. Green flag pit stops would be underway around lap 255. Harvick would pit under green from the 2nd position for four tires, fuel, and another air pressure adjustment.
As the field cycled through the No.4 would continue his charge back to the front of the field. He would race against the No.9 of Chase Elliott for position. He was back up to the 4th position by lap 274, the top 3 cars had yet to make their pit stops. Spotter Timmy Fedewa would inform his driver, “We’re better on the top, Kyle is on the bottom in 3 and 4.”
With 25 laps remaining, on lap 287 the No.31 of Ryan Newman was leading as he made his final pit stop. Harvick took the lead back. He would not look back on the field as the No.18 of Kyle Busch tried to track him down.
Winner Kevin Harvick
Harvick is currently leading the points standings.
Harvick is the first driver in 25 years to win 3 of the first 4 races. The last driver to do so was Harry Gant. Harvick is the first driver to win 3 races in a row since Joey Logano did so in October of 2015.
Kevin Harvick said in his TV interview after the race in Victory Lane, “Everyone was determined this week. We didn’t stomp them, but we won, and that’s all that matters.”
A quote from Kevin Harvick, Stewart-Haas Racing report:
“I’ve been mad as all get out because this team does a great job. This organization does a great job, and we’ve got fast racecars. And to take that away from those guys just really pissed me off last week. To come here to a racetrack that is so good for us is a lot of fun, and everyone was just determined this week, and we just wanted to just go stomp them. We didn’t stomp them, but we won. That’s all that really matters. Just proud of this team. Put a fire in our belly. I’ve just got to thank everyone at Jimmy John’s, Busch, Ford, Mobil 1, Outback, Hunt Brothers, Morton Buildings, Textron, Liftmaster, Haas Automation. I always forget the owners – Gene Haas and Tony Stewart. What a bad-ass team right there!”
Follow and chat with me here: @CrystalDTitus
.@StewartHaasRcng is making its case as the team to beat in 2018.
— NASCAR (@NASCAR) March 13, 2018
□: https://t.co/ZRv5HzDqkr pic.twitter.com/ldSnd1zlBD
Ticket Guardian 500 Preview
March 8, 2018
ISM Raceway
Avondale, AZ
Sunday March 11, 2018
75,75,162 = 312 laps
Completed: January 1964
Distance: 1 mile
Shape: Oval
Banking (variable): 10°-11° in Turns 1-2
10°-11° in Backstretch
Dogleg
8°-9° in Turns 3-4
3° on the frontstretch
9° on the backstretch
Frontstretch Length: 1,179 feet
Backstretch Length: 1,551 feet
Pit Road Length: 1,140 feet
Kevin Harvick knows his way around Phoenix International Raceway. This week he will be sponsored by Jimmy John’s. Due to a faulty rear windshield bracket, he was docked 7 playoff points, and 20 driver points earned from Las Vegas. He has also lost his car chief Cheddar Smith for 2 weeks. The team was given a $50,000 fine.
He has 30 starts at the track. He has one pole, but has also started as low as 37th. He knows how to find Victory Lane as he has 8 wins here. He also has 19 top-10 finishes including the wins. He is still locked into the playoffs even with the penalties. However, I would not put it past Harvick to find Victory Lane three weeks in a row.
Follow and chat with me here: @CrystalDTitus
March 8, 2018
ISM Raceway
Avondale, AZ
Sunday March 11, 2018
75,75,162 = 312 laps
Completed: January 1964
Distance: 1 mile
Shape: Oval
Banking (variable): 10°-11° in Turns 1-2
10°-11° in Backstretch
Dogleg
8°-9° in Turns 3-4
3° on the frontstretch
9° on the backstretch
Frontstretch Length: 1,179 feet
Backstretch Length: 1,551 feet
Pit Road Length: 1,140 feet
Kevin Harvick knows his way around Phoenix International Raceway. This week he will be sponsored by Jimmy John’s. Due to a faulty rear windshield bracket, he was docked 7 playoff points, and 20 driver points earned from Las Vegas. He has also lost his car chief Cheddar Smith for 2 weeks. The team was given a $50,000 fine.
He has 30 starts at the track. He has one pole, but has also started as low as 37th. He knows how to find Victory Lane as he has 8 wins here. He also has 19 top-10 finishes including the wins. He is still locked into the playoffs even with the penalties. However, I would not put it past Harvick to find Victory Lane three weeks in a row.
Follow and chat with me here: @CrystalDTitus
.@KevinHarvick is off to a #FreakyFast start this season. He’s been so fast that he's led more than 49 percent of the total laps run in points-paying events thus far. What he hasn't done is won 3 Cup races consecutively. He hopes to change that on Sunday. https://t.co/OxUEUhwHUy pic.twitter.com/amXPHqEaDt
— Stewart-Haas Racing (@StewartHaasRcng) March 7, 2018
Penzoil 400
March 4th, 2018
Las Vegas Motor Speedway
80,80,107= 267
Kevin Harvick was sponsored by Jimmy John's for Sunday's Penzoil 400 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. He qualified in the 2nd position and jumped to the lead on lap 2. By lap 20 he had just led his 200th lap of the season already. That was more than he led in the entire seasons of 2002, 2004, 2008, and 2009.
Harvick is Freaky Fast these days in his Ford Fusion. He had a 2.5 second lead of the 2nd place car of Martin Truex Jr. by lap 30. The No.4 Ford Fusion started to lose rear grip so the driver asked for more grip when the green flag pit stops began.
Crew chief Rodney Childers and the team would call Harvick to pit road on lap 38 under green flag conditions. He would acquire four new tires, fuel, and adjustments to help with the rear grip. As the field cycled back around Harvick would regain the lead on lap 49. There was talk about having air gun issues again on the pit stop, however, the team did not have to pit again. They asked for a new pit gun and continued on.
The 1st caution flag of the race would fly on lap 80 signaling the end of Stage One. Harvick would score 10 bonus points and 1 playoff point. Childers would tell his driver that the 78 car of Martin Truex Jr. gets tight on a run. Harvick responded with, "He runs some fast laps, and falls off like crazy." During the first stage, the No. 4 lapped 21 of the other 36 competitors. He did not challenge his teammates Aric Almirola and Clint Bowyer in the closing laps.
There were only 16 cars on the lead lap at the end of the stage. The caution flag was extended due to debris on the backstretch from someone losing a tire as the caution flag flew. Harvick was not happy with NASCAR deciding to add extra caution laps to pick up the debris. He voiced his opinion stating, "It took them two laps to figure that out? Pretty unacceptable."
Under caution, there was also another issue with the air gun. The PSI (pounds per square inch) went up to 250 when the regulator is to be 125. This could cause huge issues with things. Harvick would restart the race in the lead on lap 88.
He would continue to dominate the race as green flag stops would begin once again around lap 122. Harvick brought the No. 4 car down pit road from the lead for four tires and fuel. He was happy with this car. By lap 136 the car had turned to the loose side of things, he informed the team.
The 2nd caution of the race would fly on lap 160, signaling the end of Stage Two. Harvick would once again be scored the race leader, as he was putting on a clinic for the field. He would gain another 10 points and 1 more playoff point. Harvick would once again hit pit road this time under the caution for tires and fuel. He would lose the lead and leave pit road in the 4th position. The race would restart on lap 166. His car would not get a good restart either as he would be tight in traffic.
The 3rd caution flag would fly on lap 175 for the 1 car of Jamie McMurray hitting the wall hard in turn three. Spotter Timmy Fedewa would inform his driver, "Debris in 3 the 1 hit pretty hard." Harvick was scored in the 4th position. On pit road, under caution, the pit crew would administer a freaky fast stop and gain the No. 4 car a position on pit road. He would also get four tires and fuel.
Harvick would say he was too tight in traffic and tell his crew chief Rodney Childers, “As you can see, track position is pretty (explicit) important.” He would then ask spotter Timmy Fedewa, “Who crashed?” The spotter responded with, “The 1 car, but I did not see how bad. He is in the garage.” Harvick was ready for the race restart on lap 182 in the 5th position.
On lap 182 the 4th caution would fly almost immediately after the green flag waved. The 41 of Kurt Busch and the 9 of Chase Elliott got tangled up. Under caution, the No. 4 would stay out, and restart in the 2nd position on lap 193.
The team was still having radio issues that started towards the beginning of the race. The driver was having a hard time hearing the spotter first. Now the spotter told that driver, “You sound scratchy now, it’s almost like radio interference. I don't know what it is.” By lap 195 Harvick regained the lead.
The final pit stop of the race would come under green on lap 225 with 45 laps remaining in the race. Harvick would hit pit road as the leader for four tires and fuel. He would be scored in the 3rd position as the top two spots still needed to pit. He would take back the race lead on lap 230, and began to pull away from the field.
As the final laps dwindled down, the 18 of Kyle Busch would begin to click away at the lead of Harvick. He got the lead down to 2.8 seconds, but it was not enough.
Kevin Harvick wins at Las Vegas. His second win in a row of the season. His first time leading all of the stages. This was his 100th series win (between truck, Xfinity, and Cup). He is the first driver since 2010 to win 2 of the first 3 races in the season. He is now mathematically locked into the playoffs.
He gets 5 extra playoff points for a total of 13 playoff points already.
A quote from Kevin Harvick's Stewart-Haas Racing post-race report:
“We have definitely had three good race cars with the Xfinity car and the Cup car, and we had a good race car at Daytona but got caught up in a wreck. As you look at the last two weeks and our 1.5-mile program in general, it has been really good since I started here at SHR. They put a lot of effort into everything we do from every standpoint to get these cars going like they are."
"I have to thank all of our partners – Jimmy John’s, Busch, Ford, Mobil 1, Outback, Hunt Brothers, Morton Buildings, Textron Off Road, Liftmaster. Big thanks to everyone from Stewart-Haas Racing, Gene (Haas) and Tony (Stewart) – it is fun to have them here when we win."
"Everybody who helps put this thing on the racetrack – we couldn’t do it without them. And the fans for coming out to the racetrack today. We really appreciate you all coming out. It is always fun for me to win on the West Coast, and I didn’t have a lot of luck here until I came to SHR. It is great to win on the West Coast for me.”
Follow and chat with me here: @CrystalDTitus
March 4th, 2018
Las Vegas Motor Speedway
80,80,107= 267
Kevin Harvick was sponsored by Jimmy John's for Sunday's Penzoil 400 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. He qualified in the 2nd position and jumped to the lead on lap 2. By lap 20 he had just led his 200th lap of the season already. That was more than he led in the entire seasons of 2002, 2004, 2008, and 2009.
Harvick is Freaky Fast these days in his Ford Fusion. He had a 2.5 second lead of the 2nd place car of Martin Truex Jr. by lap 30. The No.4 Ford Fusion started to lose rear grip so the driver asked for more grip when the green flag pit stops began.
Crew chief Rodney Childers and the team would call Harvick to pit road on lap 38 under green flag conditions. He would acquire four new tires, fuel, and adjustments to help with the rear grip. As the field cycled back around Harvick would regain the lead on lap 49. There was talk about having air gun issues again on the pit stop, however, the team did not have to pit again. They asked for a new pit gun and continued on.
The 1st caution flag of the race would fly on lap 80 signaling the end of Stage One. Harvick would score 10 bonus points and 1 playoff point. Childers would tell his driver that the 78 car of Martin Truex Jr. gets tight on a run. Harvick responded with, "He runs some fast laps, and falls off like crazy." During the first stage, the No. 4 lapped 21 of the other 36 competitors. He did not challenge his teammates Aric Almirola and Clint Bowyer in the closing laps.
There were only 16 cars on the lead lap at the end of the stage. The caution flag was extended due to debris on the backstretch from someone losing a tire as the caution flag flew. Harvick was not happy with NASCAR deciding to add extra caution laps to pick up the debris. He voiced his opinion stating, "It took them two laps to figure that out? Pretty unacceptable."
Under caution, there was also another issue with the air gun. The PSI (pounds per square inch) went up to 250 when the regulator is to be 125. This could cause huge issues with things. Harvick would restart the race in the lead on lap 88.
He would continue to dominate the race as green flag stops would begin once again around lap 122. Harvick brought the No. 4 car down pit road from the lead for four tires and fuel. He was happy with this car. By lap 136 the car had turned to the loose side of things, he informed the team.
The 2nd caution of the race would fly on lap 160, signaling the end of Stage Two. Harvick would once again be scored the race leader, as he was putting on a clinic for the field. He would gain another 10 points and 1 more playoff point. Harvick would once again hit pit road this time under the caution for tires and fuel. He would lose the lead and leave pit road in the 4th position. The race would restart on lap 166. His car would not get a good restart either as he would be tight in traffic.
The 3rd caution flag would fly on lap 175 for the 1 car of Jamie McMurray hitting the wall hard in turn three. Spotter Timmy Fedewa would inform his driver, "Debris in 3 the 1 hit pretty hard." Harvick was scored in the 4th position. On pit road, under caution, the pit crew would administer a freaky fast stop and gain the No. 4 car a position on pit road. He would also get four tires and fuel.
Harvick would say he was too tight in traffic and tell his crew chief Rodney Childers, “As you can see, track position is pretty (explicit) important.” He would then ask spotter Timmy Fedewa, “Who crashed?” The spotter responded with, “The 1 car, but I did not see how bad. He is in the garage.” Harvick was ready for the race restart on lap 182 in the 5th position.
On lap 182 the 4th caution would fly almost immediately after the green flag waved. The 41 of Kurt Busch and the 9 of Chase Elliott got tangled up. Under caution, the No. 4 would stay out, and restart in the 2nd position on lap 193.
The team was still having radio issues that started towards the beginning of the race. The driver was having a hard time hearing the spotter first. Now the spotter told that driver, “You sound scratchy now, it’s almost like radio interference. I don't know what it is.” By lap 195 Harvick regained the lead.
The final pit stop of the race would come under green on lap 225 with 45 laps remaining in the race. Harvick would hit pit road as the leader for four tires and fuel. He would be scored in the 3rd position as the top two spots still needed to pit. He would take back the race lead on lap 230, and began to pull away from the field.
As the final laps dwindled down, the 18 of Kyle Busch would begin to click away at the lead of Harvick. He got the lead down to 2.8 seconds, but it was not enough.
Kevin Harvick wins at Las Vegas. His second win in a row of the season. His first time leading all of the stages. This was his 100th series win (between truck, Xfinity, and Cup). He is the first driver since 2010 to win 2 of the first 3 races in the season. He is now mathematically locked into the playoffs.
He gets 5 extra playoff points for a total of 13 playoff points already.
A quote from Kevin Harvick's Stewart-Haas Racing post-race report:
“We have definitely had three good race cars with the Xfinity car and the Cup car, and we had a good race car at Daytona but got caught up in a wreck. As you look at the last two weeks and our 1.5-mile program in general, it has been really good since I started here at SHR. They put a lot of effort into everything we do from every standpoint to get these cars going like they are."
"I have to thank all of our partners – Jimmy John’s, Busch, Ford, Mobil 1, Outback, Hunt Brothers, Morton Buildings, Textron Off Road, Liftmaster. Big thanks to everyone from Stewart-Haas Racing, Gene (Haas) and Tony (Stewart) – it is fun to have them here when we win."
"Everybody who helps put this thing on the racetrack – we couldn’t do it without them. And the fans for coming out to the racetrack today. We really appreciate you all coming out. It is always fun for me to win on the West Coast, and I didn’t have a lot of luck here until I came to SHR. It is great to win on the West Coast for me.”
Follow and chat with me here: @CrystalDTitus
.@KevinHarvick said his start to this year feels a lot like it did in 2014, but with a much more experienced team. #NASCARAmerica #NASCAR pic.twitter.com/I6diPPj5be
— NASCAR on NBC (@NASCARonNBC) March 6, 2018
Penzoil 400 Preview
March 3, 2018
Las Vegas Motor Speedway
Sunday, March 4th, 2018
80,80,107= 267
Las Vegas Motor Speedway
Track Length: 1.5 miles (267) laps
Banking on the Front Stretch: 9 degrees
Banking on the Back Stretch: 9 degrees
Front stretch length: 2275 ft.
Back stretch length: 1572 ft.
Kevin Harvick will be racing the Jimmy John’s Ford Fusion this week. He has 17 starts at Las Vegas. He has 1 win, 4 top 5s, 7 top 10s, and 1 DNF. He has finished as low as 38th, this coming last year. He has qualified as high as the pole and as low as 42. He has led a total of 224 laps.
As they are coming off of last week’s win in Atlanta, the team has the momentum to hopefully find another win, or at least a great top 10 finish.
Follow and chat with me here: @CrystalDTitus
March 3, 2018
Las Vegas Motor Speedway
Sunday, March 4th, 2018
80,80,107= 267
Las Vegas Motor Speedway
Track Length: 1.5 miles (267) laps
Banking on the Front Stretch: 9 degrees
Banking on the Back Stretch: 9 degrees
Front stretch length: 2275 ft.
Back stretch length: 1572 ft.
Kevin Harvick will be racing the Jimmy John’s Ford Fusion this week. He has 17 starts at Las Vegas. He has 1 win, 4 top 5s, 7 top 10s, and 1 DNF. He has finished as low as 38th, this coming last year. He has qualified as high as the pole and as low as 42. He has led a total of 224 laps.
As they are coming off of last week’s win in Atlanta, the team has the momentum to hopefully find another win, or at least a great top 10 finish.
Follow and chat with me here: @CrystalDTitus
|
|
Folds of Honor / QuikTrip 500
February 25, 2018
Atlanta Motor Speedway
Hampton, GA
85,85,155 = 325 laps
Rain, rain, rain, please go away. We want the race ran on Sunday. The race was supposed to start at 2:00pm eastern time. However, with the threat of rain it was moved up to 1:00pm. The rain had other plans. It was 2:30pm before driver introductions would start. The green flag would fly right around 3:00pm. I was at the track and praying the race would get in because we didn’t want to have to drive three hours on Monday back to the track, but we would do it if we had to.
Kevin Harvick qualified 3rd for the QuikTrip Folds of Honor 500, in the No.4 Stewart-Haas Racing Jimmy Johns Ford Fusion. He was hoping for a weekend sweep in Atlanta as he had won the Xfinity race the day before. Due to rain a competition caution had been called for lap 30.
As the race started, Kevin dropped back from 3rd to 7th position. By lap 12 he would make his way back to the top 5. He would take over third from teammate Kurt Busch in the 41 car, on lap 13. He radioed in he was battling a tight condition but was still freaky fast. Harvick took the lead for the first time in the race on lap 20. He would tell the crew he needed more help on entry on the corners and also needed drive off. However, the No.4 car had a 2.81 second lead over 2nd place.
The 1st caution flag would fly on lap 30. This would be the competition caution. He would take four tires and fuel. He would leave pit road in 1st and commend his crew, “Good Job, Guys!” Harvick would lead the field to green on the lap 34 restart. On lap 58 spotter Timmy Fedewa informed Harvick, “Cars up ahead that are slower, we will start passing them on the low side.”
The 2nd caution would fly on lap 85 signaling the end of segment one. Harvick would gain 10 bonus points for leading the stage, along with one playoff point. This would be his first stage win of the year. There would be a total of 17 cars on the lead lap, 18 cars with the lucky dog.
Under the caution the No.4 would pit from the lead, and on his four tires and fuel pit stop, would have a pit gun issue. The pit gun would blow a hose, and the left front tire would potentially have a few lugs loose. He would leave pit road in the 5th position. The crew would elect to return to pit road to fix the left front tire and Harvick would restart from the 19th position at the tail end of lead lap cars. While under caution the radio and TV would want to speak with Kevin, however he politely told them, “Give us just a second, we have a bit of an issue.” He would take the green on lap 92 in the 19th position.
Harvick made his way back to the top 15 on lap 95. His car was still freaky fast even in traffic. He was moving on, taking back the 10th position on lap 105. By lap 121 he would have his car sitting pretty in the 3rd position, charging towards 2nd place.
Just 41 laps after the pit gun problem Harvick would retake the lead on lap 126. His car was amazing. As long as he did not end up with a problem or in a wreck he may sweep the weekend. It would be 17 years since he won a Cup race in Atlanta if he did. The first was right after Dale Earnhardt Sr passed away.
On lap 128 the No.4 car would make his first green flag pit stop. He would acquire four tires, and fuel. After his pit stop he was scored in the 2nd position behind the No.18 of Kyle Busch. Once the No.18 would make his stop the No.4 would take the lead back, on lap 132.
The 3rd caution would fly on lap 158 for the No.48 car of Jimmie Johnson spinning on the back stretch. Harvick said, “Still good right now.” He would pit and take on another four tires, and fuel, leaving pit road in the 2nd position. The race would restart on lap 163. This green flag run would only have 7 laps at the drop of the green flag. Harvick would say his car was plowing during this run.
The 4th caution would fly on lap 170, signaling the end of segment 2. Harvick was scored in the 5th position, and would gain 5 more bonus points. Under caution crew chief Rodney Childers would talk about the next band of rain being about 45 minutes from the track. Kevin would restart on the race in 4th on lap 177. There was an observation of light sprinkles at the track on lap 200. I could feel them as I was sitting in the stands. On lap 206 the sprinkles had passed by.
The second round of green flag pit stops would happen on lap 213. As the No.4 car would be rolling down pit road, his spotter would guide him, “All the way to the yellow line, go like h***.” He would be scored in the 4th position on lap 217. Childers, would lay down a few ground rules for the run, “Take care of your stuff here, we need to go about 50 laps on this set, we have already done that once today.”
Harvick would regain the lead and the No.11 of Denny Hamlin, and No.22 of Joey Logano would make their pit stop. On lap 230 he would inform his pit crew, “I’m just really struggling at the apex of both corners.” As the run went on things would be pretty quiet around the track.
On lap 252 Harvick said, “I think we need to try something different.” Green flag stops were quickly approaching again. On the very next lap Childers called the No.4 Ford Fusion to pit road. “Pit this time, pit this time, you’re in a good spot.” He would be back up to the 3rd position on lap 257 as the top two cars were on a different pit strategy. He would take back the lead from Hamlin on lap 266.
On lap 280 Harvick continues to lead. He was running away from the field. He would be approaching a third green flag pit stop on lap 287. The No.4 car hit pit road, after having a 12.5 second advantage for four tires, and fuel. He would be 2.5 seconds behind the No. 11 of Hamlin for first place on fresher tires. He would acquire the lead back on lap 291.
There was talk of debris around the track, and Fedewa would tell him, “If you see debris, holler at me.” Harvick responded with, “We’re good.” He saw no debris around the track.
On lap 296 the 5th caution flag would fly as the No. 6 car of Trevor Bayne blows an engine big time. The blown engine causes the No.43 of Bubba Wallace to get into the back of the No.17 of Ricky Stenhouse Jr. The No.4 would pit under caution on lap 300 and get four fresh tires, and fuel. He would lead the restart on lap 304.
Kevin continued to lead and pull away from the field. My nerves were shot in the stands watching. It would be amazing if he made it the last 25 laps without something happening. Teammate Clint Bowyer was flying up through the field, he was in 3rd. Ford Performance Racing teammate the No.2 of Brad Keslowski was chasing Harvick down in the 2nd position.
Kevin Harvick wins it at Atlanta, Sweeping the Weekend!
He is currently 4th in the points.
A quote from Kevin Harvick’s, Stewart-Haas Racing post race report.
“I’m just so proud of everybody on our team. I had the first win in my career here, and to be able to pay tribute to Dale (Earnhardt) was pretty cool. I’ve been waiting a long time to do that. We’ve had so many days where we could do that here, but I just want to thank everybody from Stewart-Haas Racing, Jimmy John’s, Busch, Ford, Mobil 1, Outback, Hunt Brothers, Morton Buildings, Textron Off Road, Liftmaster – everybody who puts this car on the racetrack. For five years it’s been so fast at this particular racetrack and a lot of other ones. I love racing here, and it’s good to be back in victory lane finally. It took a while.”
Follow and chat with me here: @CrystalDTitus
February 25, 2018
Atlanta Motor Speedway
Hampton, GA
85,85,155 = 325 laps
Rain, rain, rain, please go away. We want the race ran on Sunday. The race was supposed to start at 2:00pm eastern time. However, with the threat of rain it was moved up to 1:00pm. The rain had other plans. It was 2:30pm before driver introductions would start. The green flag would fly right around 3:00pm. I was at the track and praying the race would get in because we didn’t want to have to drive three hours on Monday back to the track, but we would do it if we had to.
Kevin Harvick qualified 3rd for the QuikTrip Folds of Honor 500, in the No.4 Stewart-Haas Racing Jimmy Johns Ford Fusion. He was hoping for a weekend sweep in Atlanta as he had won the Xfinity race the day before. Due to rain a competition caution had been called for lap 30.
As the race started, Kevin dropped back from 3rd to 7th position. By lap 12 he would make his way back to the top 5. He would take over third from teammate Kurt Busch in the 41 car, on lap 13. He radioed in he was battling a tight condition but was still freaky fast. Harvick took the lead for the first time in the race on lap 20. He would tell the crew he needed more help on entry on the corners and also needed drive off. However, the No.4 car had a 2.81 second lead over 2nd place.
The 1st caution flag would fly on lap 30. This would be the competition caution. He would take four tires and fuel. He would leave pit road in 1st and commend his crew, “Good Job, Guys!” Harvick would lead the field to green on the lap 34 restart. On lap 58 spotter Timmy Fedewa informed Harvick, “Cars up ahead that are slower, we will start passing them on the low side.”
The 2nd caution would fly on lap 85 signaling the end of segment one. Harvick would gain 10 bonus points for leading the stage, along with one playoff point. This would be his first stage win of the year. There would be a total of 17 cars on the lead lap, 18 cars with the lucky dog.
Under the caution the No.4 would pit from the lead, and on his four tires and fuel pit stop, would have a pit gun issue. The pit gun would blow a hose, and the left front tire would potentially have a few lugs loose. He would leave pit road in the 5th position. The crew would elect to return to pit road to fix the left front tire and Harvick would restart from the 19th position at the tail end of lead lap cars. While under caution the radio and TV would want to speak with Kevin, however he politely told them, “Give us just a second, we have a bit of an issue.” He would take the green on lap 92 in the 19th position.
Harvick made his way back to the top 15 on lap 95. His car was still freaky fast even in traffic. He was moving on, taking back the 10th position on lap 105. By lap 121 he would have his car sitting pretty in the 3rd position, charging towards 2nd place.
Just 41 laps after the pit gun problem Harvick would retake the lead on lap 126. His car was amazing. As long as he did not end up with a problem or in a wreck he may sweep the weekend. It would be 17 years since he won a Cup race in Atlanta if he did. The first was right after Dale Earnhardt Sr passed away.
On lap 128 the No.4 car would make his first green flag pit stop. He would acquire four tires, and fuel. After his pit stop he was scored in the 2nd position behind the No.18 of Kyle Busch. Once the No.18 would make his stop the No.4 would take the lead back, on lap 132.
The 3rd caution would fly on lap 158 for the No.48 car of Jimmie Johnson spinning on the back stretch. Harvick said, “Still good right now.” He would pit and take on another four tires, and fuel, leaving pit road in the 2nd position. The race would restart on lap 163. This green flag run would only have 7 laps at the drop of the green flag. Harvick would say his car was plowing during this run.
The 4th caution would fly on lap 170, signaling the end of segment 2. Harvick was scored in the 5th position, and would gain 5 more bonus points. Under caution crew chief Rodney Childers would talk about the next band of rain being about 45 minutes from the track. Kevin would restart on the race in 4th on lap 177. There was an observation of light sprinkles at the track on lap 200. I could feel them as I was sitting in the stands. On lap 206 the sprinkles had passed by.
The second round of green flag pit stops would happen on lap 213. As the No.4 car would be rolling down pit road, his spotter would guide him, “All the way to the yellow line, go like h***.” He would be scored in the 4th position on lap 217. Childers, would lay down a few ground rules for the run, “Take care of your stuff here, we need to go about 50 laps on this set, we have already done that once today.”
Harvick would regain the lead and the No.11 of Denny Hamlin, and No.22 of Joey Logano would make their pit stop. On lap 230 he would inform his pit crew, “I’m just really struggling at the apex of both corners.” As the run went on things would be pretty quiet around the track.
On lap 252 Harvick said, “I think we need to try something different.” Green flag stops were quickly approaching again. On the very next lap Childers called the No.4 Ford Fusion to pit road. “Pit this time, pit this time, you’re in a good spot.” He would be back up to the 3rd position on lap 257 as the top two cars were on a different pit strategy. He would take back the lead from Hamlin on lap 266.
On lap 280 Harvick continues to lead. He was running away from the field. He would be approaching a third green flag pit stop on lap 287. The No.4 car hit pit road, after having a 12.5 second advantage for four tires, and fuel. He would be 2.5 seconds behind the No. 11 of Hamlin for first place on fresher tires. He would acquire the lead back on lap 291.
There was talk of debris around the track, and Fedewa would tell him, “If you see debris, holler at me.” Harvick responded with, “We’re good.” He saw no debris around the track.
On lap 296 the 5th caution flag would fly as the No. 6 car of Trevor Bayne blows an engine big time. The blown engine causes the No.43 of Bubba Wallace to get into the back of the No.17 of Ricky Stenhouse Jr. The No.4 would pit under caution on lap 300 and get four fresh tires, and fuel. He would lead the restart on lap 304.
Kevin continued to lead and pull away from the field. My nerves were shot in the stands watching. It would be amazing if he made it the last 25 laps without something happening. Teammate Clint Bowyer was flying up through the field, he was in 3rd. Ford Performance Racing teammate the No.2 of Brad Keslowski was chasing Harvick down in the 2nd position.
Kevin Harvick wins it at Atlanta, Sweeping the Weekend!
He is currently 4th in the points.
A quote from Kevin Harvick’s, Stewart-Haas Racing post race report.
“I’m just so proud of everybody on our team. I had the first win in my career here, and to be able to pay tribute to Dale (Earnhardt) was pretty cool. I’ve been waiting a long time to do that. We’ve had so many days where we could do that here, but I just want to thank everybody from Stewart-Haas Racing, Jimmy John’s, Busch, Ford, Mobil 1, Outback, Hunt Brothers, Morton Buildings, Textron Off Road, Liftmaster – everybody who puts this car on the racetrack. For five years it’s been so fast at this particular racetrack and a lot of other ones. I love racing here, and it’s good to be back in victory lane finally. It took a while.”
Follow and chat with me here: @CrystalDTitus
Folds of Honor / QuikTrip 500 Preview
February 21, 2018
Atlanta Motor Speedway
Hampton, GA
Sunday February 25th, 2018
The Atlanta Motor Speedway is just south of Atlanta, Georgia. It is a 1.54 mile quad-oval. This is a fast track that everyone looks forward to. The racing surface will bring good three, four, and possibly five wide racing. The racing surface is 50-60ft wide.
Kevin Harvick and his No. 4 Stewart-Haas Racing Ford Fusion will be sponsored by Jimmy Johns this week. He has 27 starts. One win, 6 top 5s, and 12 top tens. He also has 4 DNFs. He has qualified as high as the pole and as low as 38th.
Atlanta is special to Harvick, as it is the track where his only win came just 3 weeks after he stepped into the Cup series following Dale Earnhardt Sr’s death. He was racing with Dale Sr’s team at RCR as a rookie in the Cup series.
Follow and chat with me here: @CrystalDTitus
February 21, 2018
Atlanta Motor Speedway
Hampton, GA
Sunday February 25th, 2018
The Atlanta Motor Speedway is just south of Atlanta, Georgia. It is a 1.54 mile quad-oval. This is a fast track that everyone looks forward to. The racing surface will bring good three, four, and possibly five wide racing. The racing surface is 50-60ft wide.
Kevin Harvick and his No. 4 Stewart-Haas Racing Ford Fusion will be sponsored by Jimmy Johns this week. He has 27 starts. One win, 6 top 5s, and 12 top tens. He also has 4 DNFs. He has qualified as high as the pole and as low as 38th.
Atlanta is special to Harvick, as it is the track where his only win came just 3 weeks after he stepped into the Cup series following Dale Earnhardt Sr’s death. He was racing with Dale Sr’s team at RCR as a rookie in the Cup series.
Follow and chat with me here: @CrystalDTitus
In 2017, @KevinHarvick displayed one of his most commanding performances of his #NASCAR Cup Series career when he led 292 of 325 laps at @AMSUpdates. Unfortunately, he came up just short of victory lane. He plans to change that on Sunday. https://t.co/V76xPBchzQ#SHRacing10Yrs pic.twitter.com/M1fJN9Qj9d
— Stewart-Haas Racing (@StewartHaasRcng) February 22, 2018
Daytona 500
February 18, 2018
Daytona International Speedway
Daytona, Florida
60, 60, 80 Laps
Kevin Harvick qualified 6th for Sunday’s Daytona 500 in the number 4 Jimmy Johns Ford Fusion for Stewart-Haas Racing. Starting off early on lap three spotter Timmy Fedewa, could be heard on the radio, “Three wide, three wide.”
The 1st caution would fly on lap 8 for the 72 car of Corey LaJoie, blowing an engine. Harvick was scored in the 18th position. He would pit under caution to the attention of crew chief Rodney Childers, for fuel on lap 10. He would restart in the 16th position on lap 12. He would be back up to the 7th position on lap 18. His car was freaky fast and looked really good with the new paint scheme. The number 4 would be scored in the 4th position on lap 30.
Harvick would be working with a few of the Roush Yates and Ford Performance cars running in the 3rd position. He would inform his crew on lap 40 he was, “Really loose, really loose.”
The 2nd caution flag flew on lap 50 for the 18 car of Kyle Busch as he cut a tire down and spun through the grass. The 1 car of Jamie McMurray also had a tire cut, though he made it to pit road. “Caution's out for the 18 car,” Fedewa said on the radio. Harvick was scored in the 7th position. The team as a whole was quite happy. Under caution he would pit for four tires and fuel, on lap 52. He would be scored in 13th on the lap 55 restart due to the top 10 cars staying out.
This green flag run would be a short one when the first “Big One” would strike on lap 59 bringing out the 3rd caution of the race. This would also signal the end of the first segment. There were nine cars involved, the 24 car of William Byron, 20 of Erik Jones, 13 of Ty Dillon, 19 of Daniel Suarez, 48 of Jimmie Johnson, 17 of Ricky Stenhouse Jr, 12 of Ryan Blaney, 78 of Martin Truex Jr, and the 42 of Kyle Larson. Harvick would nearly get caught up in the accident, however, he made his way through it to finish segment one in the 7th position, gaining four bonus points. He would stay out under caution and be scored 3rd for the race restart on lap 66.
Caution number 4 would fly on lap 93 for a tire coming apart on the back stretch. Harvick would be scored in the 4th position, informing the crew he was, “Too loose.” The race would restart on lap 98.
Kevin Harvick and the Jimmy Johns Ford Fusion racing team would end their day early getting caught in the 2nd big wreck of the day and 5th caution flag on lap 102. They would try and beat the 6 minute repair clock, however, it expired and the day would be done. They were officially out of the race on lap 108.
Harvick would finish in the 31st position.
Race Winner Austin Dillon
A quote from Kevin Harvick's, Stewart-Haas Racing post race report:
Your thoughts on the incident and the team’s effort to get the car back out? “They did a good job fixing the car. The car was fine. Apparently, you have to have the door. I thought it was just the door foam, but you’ve got to have some metal on the outside of the door. All in all, they did a good job fixing our Jimmy John’s/Busch Beer Ford. We were just in the wrong place at the wrong time. Two guys, I couldn’t tell. It looked to me like there was one too many blocks, and the blocking car wound up spinning out and the 2 car hit the 24 and wound up coming up the racetrack into me. It was like a can opener on the way by.”
Follow and chat with me here: @CrystalDTitus
February 18, 2018
Daytona International Speedway
Daytona, Florida
60, 60, 80 Laps
Kevin Harvick qualified 6th for Sunday’s Daytona 500 in the number 4 Jimmy Johns Ford Fusion for Stewart-Haas Racing. Starting off early on lap three spotter Timmy Fedewa, could be heard on the radio, “Three wide, three wide.”
The 1st caution would fly on lap 8 for the 72 car of Corey LaJoie, blowing an engine. Harvick was scored in the 18th position. He would pit under caution to the attention of crew chief Rodney Childers, for fuel on lap 10. He would restart in the 16th position on lap 12. He would be back up to the 7th position on lap 18. His car was freaky fast and looked really good with the new paint scheme. The number 4 would be scored in the 4th position on lap 30.
Harvick would be working with a few of the Roush Yates and Ford Performance cars running in the 3rd position. He would inform his crew on lap 40 he was, “Really loose, really loose.”
The 2nd caution flag flew on lap 50 for the 18 car of Kyle Busch as he cut a tire down and spun through the grass. The 1 car of Jamie McMurray also had a tire cut, though he made it to pit road. “Caution's out for the 18 car,” Fedewa said on the radio. Harvick was scored in the 7th position. The team as a whole was quite happy. Under caution he would pit for four tires and fuel, on lap 52. He would be scored in 13th on the lap 55 restart due to the top 10 cars staying out.
This green flag run would be a short one when the first “Big One” would strike on lap 59 bringing out the 3rd caution of the race. This would also signal the end of the first segment. There were nine cars involved, the 24 car of William Byron, 20 of Erik Jones, 13 of Ty Dillon, 19 of Daniel Suarez, 48 of Jimmie Johnson, 17 of Ricky Stenhouse Jr, 12 of Ryan Blaney, 78 of Martin Truex Jr, and the 42 of Kyle Larson. Harvick would nearly get caught up in the accident, however, he made his way through it to finish segment one in the 7th position, gaining four bonus points. He would stay out under caution and be scored 3rd for the race restart on lap 66.
Caution number 4 would fly on lap 93 for a tire coming apart on the back stretch. Harvick would be scored in the 4th position, informing the crew he was, “Too loose.” The race would restart on lap 98.
Kevin Harvick and the Jimmy Johns Ford Fusion racing team would end their day early getting caught in the 2nd big wreck of the day and 5th caution flag on lap 102. They would try and beat the 6 minute repair clock, however, it expired and the day would be done. They were officially out of the race on lap 108.
Harvick would finish in the 31st position.
Race Winner Austin Dillon
A quote from Kevin Harvick's, Stewart-Haas Racing post race report:
Your thoughts on the incident and the team’s effort to get the car back out? “They did a good job fixing the car. The car was fine. Apparently, you have to have the door. I thought it was just the door foam, but you’ve got to have some metal on the outside of the door. All in all, they did a good job fixing our Jimmy John’s/Busch Beer Ford. We were just in the wrong place at the wrong time. Two guys, I couldn’t tell. It looked to me like there was one too many blocks, and the blocking car wound up spinning out and the 2 car hit the 24 and wound up coming up the racetrack into me. It was like a can opener on the way by.”
Follow and chat with me here: @CrystalDTitus
"All in all, they did a good job fixing our @JimmyJohns / @BuschBeer Ford. We were just in the wrong place at the wrong time." @KevinHarvick collected in a multi-car accident; finishes 31st in #Daytona500. https://t.co/81IEz7nCxi#SHRacing10Yrs pic.twitter.com/rl5cFDxVM0
— Stewart-Haas Racing (@StewartHaasRcng) February 19, 2018
Can-Am Duels 150
February 15th, 2018
Daytona International Speedway
Daytona, Florida
60 Laps
Kevin Harvick qualified 4th for the Duel on Thursday. He was in the Jimmy Johns Ford Fusion. He would fluctuate in the top 5. Before the only caution flag would fly on lap 11 the 20 car of Erik Jones, 32 car of Matt DiBenedetto, 42 car of Kyle Larson, and the 9 car of Chase Elliott would have problems on the back stretch.
Harvick would inquire about who wrecked, asking spotter Timmy Fedewa, “Who wrecked, Timmy?” Fedewa responded with, “The 20, and then a few guys around him.” Harvick was running 3rd in front of the wreck. His car was looking good and fast. He would bring the car down pit road to the attention of crew chief Rodney Childers for four tires, fuel, and a wedge adjustment, along with some tape for the grill. He was scored in 1st coming out of the pits. He would restart the race leading on lap 14.
Harvick would be challenged for the lead on lap 18 by the 11 car of Denny Hamlin. On the radio Fedewa could be heard saying, “Half back, two by two.” He would use this saying a lot when a car on the other line was half a length back, and they were running side by side.
On lap 25 Harvick and his teammate Clint Bowyer would be running 3rd and 4th, waiting for their chance to pounce and head to the front. On lap 30 the leaders were running single file. On lap 45 Fedewa would tell Harvick, “Clint said he will go with us, but he is waiting for the right time.” On lap 58 with only two laps remaining the number 4 makes a move. He would finish the race 2nd.
Winner Chase Elliott.
Follow and chat with me here: @CrystalDTitus
February 15th, 2018
Daytona International Speedway
Daytona, Florida
60 Laps
Kevin Harvick qualified 4th for the Duel on Thursday. He was in the Jimmy Johns Ford Fusion. He would fluctuate in the top 5. Before the only caution flag would fly on lap 11 the 20 car of Erik Jones, 32 car of Matt DiBenedetto, 42 car of Kyle Larson, and the 9 car of Chase Elliott would have problems on the back stretch.
Harvick would inquire about who wrecked, asking spotter Timmy Fedewa, “Who wrecked, Timmy?” Fedewa responded with, “The 20, and then a few guys around him.” Harvick was running 3rd in front of the wreck. His car was looking good and fast. He would bring the car down pit road to the attention of crew chief Rodney Childers for four tires, fuel, and a wedge adjustment, along with some tape for the grill. He was scored in 1st coming out of the pits. He would restart the race leading on lap 14.
Harvick would be challenged for the lead on lap 18 by the 11 car of Denny Hamlin. On the radio Fedewa could be heard saying, “Half back, two by two.” He would use this saying a lot when a car on the other line was half a length back, and they were running side by side.
On lap 25 Harvick and his teammate Clint Bowyer would be running 3rd and 4th, waiting for their chance to pounce and head to the front. On lap 30 the leaders were running single file. On lap 45 Fedewa would tell Harvick, “Clint said he will go with us, but he is waiting for the right time.” On lap 58 with only two laps remaining the number 4 makes a move. He would finish the race 2nd.
Winner Chase Elliott.
Follow and chat with me here: @CrystalDTitus
"We definitely need to work on the handling on our Ford to make it better... We have a fast car.” @KevinHarvick finishes second in Thursday night's #CanAmDuel. He'll start sixth in the #Daytona500. https://t.co/ngRm3CgEcX#SHRacing10Yrs pic.twitter.com/WaV5p3oHQ4
— Stewart-Haas Racing (@StewartHaasRcng) February 16, 2018
Daytona 500 Preview
February 15-18th, 2018
Daytona, Florida
Daytona Track Facts:
2.5-mile tri-oval runs 40 feet wide with 12- to 30-foot apron turns.
In the turns, the banking is 31 degrees.
Pit Road is 1,600 feet long, 50 feet wide.
Can-Am Duel 150s
60 Laps = 150 miles
Daytona 500
60, 60, 80 = 200 laps
Kevin Harvick will be sponsored by Jimmy Johns in his number 4 Ford Fusion. He qualified 8th during qualifying for the Can-Am Duel race on Sunday, February 11th. The front row was set for the 500 during this round of qualifying. The pole went to #88 Alex Bowman and outside pole to #11 Denny Hamlin.
Harvick will compete in the 2nd Duel starting in the 4th spot. He still has a good chance at a promising starting spot for the Daytona 500.
Harvick has 33 starts at Daytona. He has 2 wins, one being the Daytona 500, 9 top 5 finishes, 14 top 10s, and 5 DNFs. Kevin Harvick has led a total of 236 laps. He has started as high as the pole and as low as 38th.
Here is to looking forward to another great year with Ford.
Follow and chat with me here: @CrystalDTitus
February 15-18th, 2018
Daytona, Florida
Daytona Track Facts:
2.5-mile tri-oval runs 40 feet wide with 12- to 30-foot apron turns.
In the turns, the banking is 31 degrees.
Pit Road is 1,600 feet long, 50 feet wide.
Can-Am Duel 150s
60 Laps = 150 miles
Daytona 500
60, 60, 80 = 200 laps
Kevin Harvick will be sponsored by Jimmy Johns in his number 4 Ford Fusion. He qualified 8th during qualifying for the Can-Am Duel race on Sunday, February 11th. The front row was set for the 500 during this round of qualifying. The pole went to #88 Alex Bowman and outside pole to #11 Denny Hamlin.
Harvick will compete in the 2nd Duel starting in the 4th spot. He still has a good chance at a promising starting spot for the Daytona 500.
Harvick has 33 starts at Daytona. He has 2 wins, one being the Daytona 500, 9 top 5 finishes, 14 top 10s, and 5 DNFs. Kevin Harvick has led a total of 236 laps. He has started as high as the pole and as low as 38th.
Here is to looking forward to another great year with Ford.
Follow and chat with me here: @CrystalDTitus
We came. We saw. We conquered #DAYTONA500 media day. Tomorrow, we race! #SHRacing10Yrs pic.twitter.com/R0Xm7AAJok
— Stewart-Haas Racing (@StewartHaasRcng) February 15, 2018
Advanced Auto Parts Clash
February 11, 2018
Daytona International Speedway
Daytona, Florida
25, 50= 75 Laps
Sunday’s race was 75 laps. 1st segment was 25 laps and then 50 laps to the finish. Kevin Harvick started in the 9th position. He would run in the 15th position on lap 4. However, with the race being at Daytona with restrictor plates it did not really matter. You could be 1st on one lap and last the next lap. By lap 10 he had fluctuated back and forth and had been running in the 14th position. He was at the back of the pack as everyone was running two by two.
On lap 24 he had made his way up to the 8th position, still running two by two, on the top line. As several teams made a stop just before the stage ending at lap 25 Harvick stayed out waiting for the caution. The 1st caution would fly on lap 25 signaling the end of Segment 1. Harvick was scored the leader of the stage.
Harvick would be ready to restart Segment 2 on lap 28 in the 11th position, due to the cars that pitted before the caution. He would acquire four tires, fuel, and adjustments to fix a slight tight condition with the Number 4 Busch Ford Fusion. He would work his way up to the 5th position by lap 33, and then had to check up and fell back to the 10th position. Still running two wide, he was on the bottom line.
The 2nd and final caution would fly on lap 34 as the 1 car of Jamie McMurray would spin and then take off down the track and through the front stretch grass. Kevin Harvick would score in the 11th position. He would pit again for four tires and fuel, reporting the car felt good. The race would restart on lap 38.
Harvick would make a few moves through the field and find himself in the 8th position on lap 40. Ford Performance would be showing some strength as they would hold down the top 4 positions. He would be shuffled back once again and would be holding steady in the 15th position. Harvick would not be able to get any more help to get back up to the front as he would just fluctuate the rest of the race between 15th and 13th position. He, the team, and fans would be praying for a caution to help him out.
With 8 laps remaining in the race on lap 57 he had completely lost the draft. There would be a wreck coming to the checkers, which would help him tremendously. He would finish the Clash in the 9th position.
Winner Brad Keselowski.
Follow and chat with me here: @CrystalDTitus
February 11, 2018
Daytona International Speedway
Daytona, Florida
25, 50= 75 Laps
Sunday’s race was 75 laps. 1st segment was 25 laps and then 50 laps to the finish. Kevin Harvick started in the 9th position. He would run in the 15th position on lap 4. However, with the race being at Daytona with restrictor plates it did not really matter. You could be 1st on one lap and last the next lap. By lap 10 he had fluctuated back and forth and had been running in the 14th position. He was at the back of the pack as everyone was running two by two.
On lap 24 he had made his way up to the 8th position, still running two by two, on the top line. As several teams made a stop just before the stage ending at lap 25 Harvick stayed out waiting for the caution. The 1st caution would fly on lap 25 signaling the end of Segment 1. Harvick was scored the leader of the stage.
Harvick would be ready to restart Segment 2 on lap 28 in the 11th position, due to the cars that pitted before the caution. He would acquire four tires, fuel, and adjustments to fix a slight tight condition with the Number 4 Busch Ford Fusion. He would work his way up to the 5th position by lap 33, and then had to check up and fell back to the 10th position. Still running two wide, he was on the bottom line.
The 2nd and final caution would fly on lap 34 as the 1 car of Jamie McMurray would spin and then take off down the track and through the front stretch grass. Kevin Harvick would score in the 11th position. He would pit again for four tires and fuel, reporting the car felt good. The race would restart on lap 38.
Harvick would make a few moves through the field and find himself in the 8th position on lap 40. Ford Performance would be showing some strength as they would hold down the top 4 positions. He would be shuffled back once again and would be holding steady in the 15th position. Harvick would not be able to get any more help to get back up to the front as he would just fluctuate the rest of the race between 15th and 13th position. He, the team, and fans would be praying for a caution to help him out.
With 8 laps remaining in the race on lap 57 he had completely lost the draft. There would be a wreck coming to the checkers, which would help him tremendously. He would finish the Clash in the 9th position.
Winner Brad Keselowski.
Follow and chat with me here: @CrystalDTitus
"I went to pull up on the next to last car and I slowed down so much that I lost the draft. I just made a mistake.” @KevinHarvick avoids a last lap accident to finish 9th in the #AdvanceAutoClash at @DISupdates. https://t.co/AbLyCQwRxI#SHRacing10Yrs pic.twitter.com/a7iOuja1s2
— Stewart-Haas Racing (@StewartHaasRcng) February 12, 2018
