Harvick Finishes Second at Phoenix

Kevin Harvick

Matt Kenseth held off Kevin Harvick in overtime Saturday at Phoenix International Raceway, spoiling Harvick’s bid to break Sam Ard’s record of Busch Series wins in a season.

Ard won 10 races in 1983 and Harvick, a nine-time winner this season, had hoped to use wins in the final two races this season to break the mark. A win in this Saturday’s season finale at Homestead-Miami Speedway will tie the record.

In qualifying Saturday morning, Harvick lapped the one-mile desert oval in 27.373 seconds (131.516 mph), posting the sixth-fastest time of the session.

At the drop of the green flag, Harvick made quick work of the first two cars in front of him and was fourth when he crossed the start/finish line to complete lap two. By the time the third caution flag flew on lap 58, Harvick was sitting in the third position. He informed his crew that the car was suffering from a tight-handling condition through the center of the corners.

Crew chief Shane Wilson called Harvick to pit road two circuits later for four fresh tires and an air pressure adjustment to help ease his driver’s tight handling conditions. “Happy” returned to the track in the fourth position.

Back under green, Harvick noted the car was better but he still needed a little more to race with the leaders. Over the next 38 laps the race was plagued by four caution flags and Harvick was unable to pick up any positions on the race track.

On lap 105, Harvick was back on pit road for his second stop of the race. After a fast pit stop that included four tires, fuel and a chassis adjustment, the 2006 NASCAR Busch Series Champion was back in business in 10th, losing six spots because not all cars pitted.

Harvick once again returned his focus to the front of the field. He was ninth by lap 110, fourth on lap 118 and second on lap 138. He had his sights set on first when the yellow flag flew again on the 171st circuit.

Wilson summoned Harvick to pit road for fuel, four tires (with air pressure adjustments), and a minor chassis adjustment. Harvick returned to the racetrack in the third spot because Carl Edwards only took tires and took over the lead.

Harvick grabbed the second position on lap 183 and began battling with Kenseth for the lead. On lap 189, he got a pretty good jump on the restart and almost passed Kenseth going in turn four. However, Harvick got a little loose and tapped the wall coming off turn four. The damage was only minor and didn’t affect the car’s handling.

A late-race caution on lap 195 of 200 for a two-car wreck sent the race into overtime. This gave Harvick one more chance to pass Kenseth on the restart. The race restarted on Lap 202 and Kenseth got a quick jump on Harvick and the 26-time NASCAR Busch Series winner was unable to make a charge for lead.

Denny Hamlin finished third, Harvick’s RCR teammate Clint Bowyer finished fourth and Edwards completed the top five.

Next week, Harvick and the Coast Guard Racing Team head for Homestead-Miami Speedway for the Ford 300 championship weekend. Live coverage of the NASCAR Busch Series season finale gets underway Saturday, November 18 at 7 p.m. Easter Standard Time (EST) on TNT. The Motor Racing Network and XM Satellite Radio will carry the race broadcast live.

KEVIN HARVICK - NO. 21 COAST GUARD CHEVROLET MONTE CARLO SS –
“We always try to put ourselves in a position to win at the end of the race. We were in position today, but came up one position short.”