Harvick Finishes Eighth at Charlotte

Race Winner: Austin Dillon of Richard Childress Racing (Chevrolet)

Stage 1 Winner: Kyle Busch of Joe Gibbs Racing (Toyota)

Stage 2 Winner: Martin Truex Jr. of Furniture Row Racing (Toyota)

Stage 3 Winner: Denny Hamlin of Joe Gibbs Racing (Toyota)

 

Stage 1 Recap (Ended on Lap 100):

● Kevin Harvick started first, finished third and earned eight bonus points.

● Fell back to second at the start but gained a position on pit road during the competition caution to regain the lead.

● Gave up the lead to come to pit road under green-flag conditions on lap 66 for four tires, fuel and several adjustments.

● Led twice for 41 laps in Stage 1.

● Pitted for four tires, fuel and multiple adjustments following Stage 1 and won the race off pit road to retake the lead.

 

Stage 2 Recap (Ended on Lap 200):

● Started first, finished 13th.

● Gave up the third position to come to pit road under green-flag conditions after reporting a loose wheel on lap 124.

● Lost a lap to the leaders and dropped to the 23rd position due to the unscheduled pit stop for the loose wheel.

● Severe weather led to a red flag on lap 144 lasting one hour and 48 minutes.

● Returned to the lead lap under caution on lap 150 by way of a free pass immediately following the weather delay.

● Restarted 22nd on lap 154 and raced up to 13th by the end of Stage 2.

● Pitted for four tires, fuel and air pressure adjustments following Stage 2 and gained five positions on pit road.

 

Stage 3 Recap (Ended on Lap 300):

● Started eighth, finished seventh and earned four bonus points.

● Slid through oil on lap 147 and nearly spun while racing in the 10th position, but saved it without making contact with the wall.

● Pitted under caution on lap 249 for four tires, fuel and air pressure and wedge adjustments.

● Restarted 14th on lap 253 and raced his way to the 11th position by the caution on lap 294.

● Raced his way up to seventh in the final three laps of the stage and stayed out following the stage.

 

Final Stage Recap (Ended on Lap 400):

● Started seventh, finished eighth.

● Pitted from the seventh position for four tires, fuel and air pressure adjustments under caution on lap 330.

● Restarted sixth on lap 333 and raced into the top-five by lap 334.

● Surrendered the second position for a four-tire pit stop under green on lap 369.

● Several cars gambled on fuel strategy that paid off, and Harvick raced to an eighth-place finish in the closing laps.

 

TSC PR