Kevin Harvick

Kevin Harvick and the No. 29 Pennzoil Platinum team thought they had a race car that would lead them to the $1 million dollar prize but a tight-handling machine kept them from Victory Lane in the NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race on Saturday night at Lowe’s Motor Speedway.

The NASCAR Sprint All-Star race is a non-points event that limits eligibility to a select number of drivers, including previous and current season winners, the top two finishers in the Showdown, recent Cup Series champions, recent NASCAR Sprint All-Star winners and the winner of the All-Star fan vote. Harvick earned his eligibility based on his win in the 2007 NASCAR Sprint All-Star race.

Qualifying for this event has a different look to it, as well. Drivers and teams must complete a four-tire pit stop during their three laps of qualifying. Harvick and his Pennzoil Platinum over-the-wall crew put together the third-fastest time of 122.82 seconds (126.679 mph). Unfortunately, a loose lugnut on the left-front added five seconds to their time, giving them the 16th-place starting spot.

Harvick started the 4X25 lap event 16th and worked his way up to the 15th spot before a tight-handling race car hampered his progress up the leaderborad. The 11-time NASCAR Sprint Cup Series winner was 17th when the caution flag was displayed signaling the end of the first 25-lap segment.

Crew chief Todd Berrier called for four tires including an air pressure adjustment, fuel and the removal of a right-rear spring rubber. The adjustments seemed to help the handling on the Pennzoil Platinum Chevrolet and Harvick was 12th when the second segment ended on lap 50.

Another round of adjustments was in order during the night’s 10-minute halftime break. Berrier called for a host of adjustments to hopefully give Harvick what he needed to bring home the team’s second All-Star victory in as many years. Unfortunately, the adjustments didn’t seem to make much of a difference and the Bakersfield, Calif., native continued to run in the top 13.

Harvick hit pit road on lap 75 for his final stop of the night. Berrier called for four fresh Goodyear tires, fuel and a major chassis adjustment. The 32-year-old driver restarted 17th for the final 25 lap showdown.

The adjustments seemed to help and Harvick was able to work his way into the 11th spot before the checkered flag waved on lap 100.

In the end the 11th-place effort fell short of the team’s expectations but the non-points paying event helped the team log valuable date heading into next weekend’s Coca-Cola 600.

All-Star fan vote winner Kasey Kahne captured his first All-Star win and was followed to the line by Greg Biffle and Matt Kenseth. Jimmie Johnson and Tony Stewart rounded out the top-five finishers.

Richard Childress Racing teammates Clint Bowyer and Jeff Burton finished 18th and 20th, respectively.

NASCAR Sprint Cup Series racing continues at Lowe’s Motor Speedway next weekend for the annual longest race on the 2008 circuit. Flag-to-flag coverage of the Coca-Cola 600 will take the green flag Sunday, May 25 beginning at 5 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time. The race will be televised live on FOX and broadcast on the Performance Racing Network and Sirius Satellite Radio. Qualifying for the 12th points-paying race on the 2008 NASCAR Cup Series schedule will be telecast live on SPEED Thursday, May 22 beginning at 7 p.m. EDT.

KEVIN HARVICK - NO. 29 PENNZOIL PLATINUM CHEVROLET IMPALA SS –
“After practice on Friday I thought the Pennzoil Platinum Chevy was going to be pretty good. Unfortunately, our car was a little tight throughout the race and we just couldn’t get it dialed in. However, I think we learned a lot for the (Coca-Cola 600) and I am looking forward to next weekend.”