Harvick scores second NNS win of season

Kevin Harvick wrestled the lead from Kyle Busch with five laps to go to win at Kentucky Speedway Friday night.

It was Harvick’s first NNS win at the track since the inaugural race in 2001.

The California native fought his way back from a pit miscue around half-way and being as far back in 18th to be in contention for the victory.

The No. 5 car stayed out a few laps longer than the leaders and took the lead until a caution fell on lap 156, giving the lead back to Busch.

Brad Keselowski was the dominant car on the night by leading 138 of the 200 laps.  The 2012 Cup champ made a costly mistake by speeding on pit road after making his final stop of the night on lap 148.

With Harvick coming in to pit on the lap 156 caution, the No. 54 car of Busch was back out in front.

Busch was second to Keselowski most of the night and found himself in front with the 22 car mired in the back.

Keselowski wouldn’t go do without a fight with a late charge back to the front.  With the aid of a few cautions, the Michigan driver found himself back in the hunt for the win.

He got by Busch for second in the final five laps, but couldn’t run down Harvick and had to settle for second.  This is the second straight week the 22 car finished second. 

Busch finished third while Paul Menard and Ryan Blaney rounded out the top five.  Last week’s winner Brendan Gaughan was the highest NNS regular in sixth.  His Richard Childress Racing (RCR) teammate Ty Dillon was the rookie of the race with his seventh-place finish. 

All four RCR cars finished in the top eight positions.

Rookie contender Dylan Kwasniewski had a quiet night by finishing on the lead lap in 11th. 

Corey LaJoie made his second NNS start and his first since his debut last Homestead with a 16th place finish for Biagi-DenBeste Racing.

It was a tough night for points leader Regan Smith as he was involved in a wreck with Ryan Reed on lap 170.  Smith limped home the No. 7 Chevrolet in 28th place.

With Smith’s finish, Elliott Sadler has unofficially taken the points lead.

The NASCAR Nationwide Series heads to Daytona International Speedway for Friday night fireworks on July 4.  Regan Smith won the race there in February.

Kyle Magda