Kevin Harvick was able to get his second win at Atlanta Motor Speedway in the NASCAR Cup Series 17 years after his first win.
The Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series was in Atlanta yesterday (2/25) for the Folds of Honor QuikTrip 500.
Kevin moved into NASCAR’s top division 17 years ago in this race one week after Dale Earnhardt Sr. lost his life in the tragic wreck during the Daytona 500. Kevin took the wheel of the car Dale Sr. drove that Richard Childress Racing changed the number to 29 from 3 out of respect for the lost legend of racing, but it was Dale’s car non-the-less.
In that race 17 years ago Kevin was able to beat Jeff Gordon to the finish line and win the race in Dale’s car one week after his death. Kevin paid tribute to Dale Sr. by driving his victory lap for the race with his hand out of the window holding up three fingers for the car number the NASCAR legend made so famous.
Kevin has led the most laps in the past five years at Atlanta Motor Speedway, but somehow did not come out the winner of the race.
Once again Kevin dominated the race leading a race high 181 laps in the 325 lap race. He won stage one of the race with Brad Keselowski scoring the win for stage two.
The race was fairly uneventful as far as on track incidents. There was a competition caution following the rain-delayed start of the race. There were two cautions at the end of the first two stages and just two other yellow flags issued for on track incidents during the race. However, there was plenty of racing action for fans to enjoy as eight different drivers exchanged the lead 24 times.
The final caution came on lap 298 and Kevin was able to rocket out to the lead on the re-start on lap 304 and this time hold on to the lead to the end of the race to claim the victory. In a replay of paying respect to Dale Jr. in 2001, Kevin held his hand out the window with three fingers up during his victory lap again this time.
Brad Keselowski took home a second place finish with Clint Bowyer claiming third place. Denny Hamlin finished in fourth place and Martin Truex Jr. rounded out the top five. See the complete race results for the Folds of Honor QuikTrip 500 here.
Following the race at Atlanta Motor Speedway, Joey Logano moves up to take over the lead in the point standings. Ryan Blaney slips back to second place with Denny Hamlin taking third place. Race winner Kevin Harvick is in fourth place with Clint Bowyer behind and rounding out the top five. See the complete Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series point standings here.
NASCAR heads out on a west coast swing beginning with this week’s race at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. The Pennzoil 400 presented by Jiffy Lube takes place Sunday afternoon March 4th.
By: Buck Stevens
