Kevin Harvick finds cure for his illness in wild Budweiser Shootout victory
By Kenny Bruce
Saturday, February 06, 2010
Kevin Harvick's team makes a late pit stop.
Jim Fluharty
NASCAR Illustrated
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – Kevin Harvick found the best medicine for a bout with a flu bug and a disappointing 2009 season when he returned to Daytona International Speedway.
A visit to the winners’ circle.
Harvick became just the fourth driver to win back-to-back Budweiser Shootout titles when he passed Greg Biffle during a green-white-checkered finish in Saturday night’s event at DIS. It was the Richard Childress Racing driver’s first win since capturing the exhibition event in 2009.
“They want to kick me out already and get sick again,” Harvick joked following his victory. The 34-year-old was forced to stay home on Thursday due to illness, while teammates Clint Bowyer and Jeff Burton worked the bugs out of his No. 29 Chevrolet. Bowyer was involved in a multicar crash during practice, and as a result, the team had to unload its backup car for the Shootout.
“It’s a lot of fun to win,” Harvick said. “I know we started the last year the same way. Tonight we led a bunch of laps, ran at the front all night. To go out and have that car start cold, never have a lap on the race track, to have it run like it ran, says a lot for the preparation of the team. It’s a lot about the details.”
Kasey Kahne (Richard Petty Motorsports Ford), Jamie McMurray (Earnhardt Ganassi Racing Chevrolet), Kyle Busch (Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota) and Denny Hamlin (JGR) rounded out the top five after a crash on the 75th lap sidelined Biffle, Roush Fenway teammates Matt Kenseth and Carl Edwards, as well as several others.
Harvick led five times for 21 laps, and pocketed $202.357 for the victory. But it looked as if the cards might not fall his way late in the race, when a caution sent the bulk of the field to pit road and set up the green-white-checkered finish.
Harvick brought the field to pit road, but Biffle and Kahne stayed out to inherit the top two spots. When the race resumed, Harvick was fourth.
He was fortunate, he said, that Biffle chose the outside line for the final restart, a move that allowed him to get alongside the leader in Turn 1, then slow enough to allow Kasey Kahne to give him the necessary shove down the backstretch.
“I was hoping that my line would get there before his line,” Harvick said. “I knew if we would get to Turn 3, I was going to be in better shape because I had tires and he didn’t.
“I wanted to maintain side‑by‑side with Biffle because I thought that I had an advantage over him once we got to the next corner.”
The decision to pit for tires was an easy one, he said.
“I saw more [cars] lined up on the yellow line than stayed up on the race track,” he said. “I said, ‘Screw it, we’re going to come in.’”
Told by crew chief Gil Martin that it had to be a two-tire stop only, Harvick agreed, and said, “That wound up being the right call for sure.”
“Really the 1 [of McMurray] is the only car that got up in front of us in the pits. That’s really what won us the race, because Biffle chose the high line. We were able to get going.”
“You know, it’s Daytona. You got to have some sort of tires after you’ve run them that long. And I think I knew that the 14 [of Tony Stewart] was going to come. I knew that the 24 [of Jeff Gordon] was going to have tires. You know, those guys all race.
“When you run that long, they know these race tracks, like we do, that you have to have some sort of tires. No matter if you’re coming to two laps or 10 laps, you’re going to have to have some sort of tires.”
Biffle, who led twice for five laps, said it was a flat right rear tire that caused his Ford to slip in the third turn.
Despite NASCAR’s “hands-off” policy regarding bump-drafting at the 2.5-mile track, the race was relatively calm until the end. Once the field shuffled through the final round of pit stops, the action picked up.
“You would think more [cars] would stay out,” Kahne said of the decision to not pit. “The whole field came in. I was definitely nervous. My car handled good on the bottom. I needed to stay in front of cars. When we got one lap to go, who knows what was going to happen? It would have been pretty wild.
“But, you know, we made it. It worked out well for us. I think it was good, pretty exciting. I liked the way the cars handled tonight.”
As did Harvick. Nothing helps pick up one’s spirits, it seems, like a trip to victory lane.
“I was sick Thursday,” he said. “It was a short sickness. I felt really good when I woke up this morning. Felt good at the second half of the day yesterday. Didn’t have a whole lot of time in the race car. That was probably the only part that concerned me the most.”
As it turned out, his worries were unnecessary.
Miss Sprint Cup | On Twitter Now
Popular News
-
Roush Fenway Racing’s Carl Edwards avoids suspension, placed on probation for intentionally wrecking Brad Keselowski at Atlanta
Comments (254) -
Angry Carl Edwards causes frightening crash when he retaliates against Brad Keselowski at Atlanta
Comments (178) -
MONDAY MORNING CREW CHIEF: NASCAR faces a big question – what to do with Carl Edwards?
Comments (152) -
Brad Keselowski calls for Carl Edwards to be suspended as NASCAR considers penalty for crash
Comments (146) -
Hendrick’s Dale Earnhardt Jr. calls 16th-place finish 'not too good'
Comments (133)
Recent Headlines
-
Speedway Motorsports revenues drop nearly 10 percent in 2009; ticket revenue down 13 percent
Comments (1) -
Michael Waltrip gets ride for Sprint Cup race at Talladega
Comments (8) -
After Carl Edwards-Brad Keselowski incident, paybacks on the track are more acceptable, NASCAR drivers say
Comments (129) -
NASCAR, top teams creating new licensing agency to handle merchandise, apparel
Comments (11) -
Jeremy Mayfield’s former brother-in-law among those suspended for violating NASCAR’s substance-abuse policy
Comments (19)
Poll PositionView All
How should NASCAR penalize Carl Edwards?
Promotions
-
Tweet your thoughts about each race and join the conversation with other fans.
-
Drive an authentic NASCAR Sprint Cup car at the NASCAR Racing Experience.
Comments
33 responses to "Kevin Harvick finds cure for his illness in wild Budweiser Shootout victory". Post a Comment.
SDFAN said:
Feb 6, 2010 at 10:56 PMI watched the Bud Shootout Selection Show on SPEED and it stated that the "RACE MUST END UNDER GREEN FLAG" what happened to that rule?
NickDizzle7 said:
Feb 6, 2010 at 11:03 PMThe two biggest Free Agents for 2011 finish 1-2. Intresting.
Robby said:
Feb 6, 2010 at 11:11 PM#1 You are correct that is supposed to be the rule. That wasnt the only thing I noticed either, Harvick not only didnt practice the car, he was also in a new backup car which by Nascar rules requires a driver to start at the rear, Harvick was the only driver allowed to keep his starting spot, the race coverage showed him start to drift back to the rear then speed back to 2nd and nothing was mentioned about it by anyone!!! Something is screwey somewhere, I call it Nascar favoritism or race fixing, Harvicks win is tainted and I'll be surprised if more people dont start questioning it...
knchevy41 said:
Feb 6, 2010 at 11:14 PMIt was a great race, and Kahne showed he can drive in a good car, I hope Kasey Kahne can do it again next week. I liked that the Roush guys wrecked I had an axiety attack while watching the race to enjoy that. I was however, disappointed that Kahne finished second to Harvick, but hey it was a great day for Kahne and the Bud team. Great run, JBBIGROD, I am sorry this race was probably bad for you, since Harvick won and Roush Crashed, not trying to gloat by anymeans. I am ready to see how AJ does in the Ford as well. I hope Kahne and AJ both have a great year. JGR had a great showing as well, this is shaping up to be a great year. I wanna give a Shoutout to Jamie McMurray in the #1 Bass Pro. Chevy, great run for Jamie. I hope to see great changes in the RPM camp.
triviumismetal07 said:
Feb 6, 2010 at 11:24 PMhe was able to start up front because the rule was if the backup car was atleast practiced you could keep your starting spot. but i dont get the yellow flag finish on speed yesterday they said that the bud shootout must finish undergreen flag conditions what happen to that??
kbruce said:
Feb 6, 2010 at 11:25 PM#1 & 3: NASCAR says because the "team" did practice with the car (driven by Clint Bowyer and Jeff Burton), Harvick did not have to give up his starting position.
ROWDY said:
Feb 6, 2010 at 11:33 PMKevin did a pretty good job along with McMurray. The Fords are going to have something this year. Jr just showed again he cant drive. Kyle and vickers were fast too. Hendrick drivers are toast. Martin needs to retire.
horsekrazytoo said:
Feb 7, 2010 at 12:27 AMIf you were watching the race they explained the whole thing. As to why Harvick got to place where he did. As long as the car got to practice weather a back up or not you got same place. This was a none points race so just watch and listen. What matters is what happens next Sunday. Tonight they were just getting a little practice in.
Phoenix987 said:
Feb 7, 2010 at 1:30 AMSo many things happened that are questionable. From what the track's own scoring said they weren't on the white flag when the wreck happened, so in theory they should have a GWC finish. If they were on the final lap, you'd think they would have been doing something more than just riding until someone spun.
I watched from Turn 4 all day today, and I have to say that, sadly, this year was probably on the lower end of quality. The Shootout was a 75-lap ride along and the track's own announcers and scoring sounded like they didn't have a clue.
Robby said:
Feb 7, 2010 at 8:40 AMOk #8 that only makes sense if the other drivers who actually practiced their cars and also had to go to a backup got to keep thier spots!!!! Mark, Denny, Bush and one or two more had to go to the back yet Harvick who never set foot in either car until the race got to keep his spot after everyone; even his crew chief during the draw said that they would have to go to the back anyway. Nascar once again makes up the rules as they go along which is half the reason fans stop watching the races...
b48orr said:
Feb 7, 2010 at 8:52 AMGreat win for Kevin Harvick! I thought I would see the #31 challenge for the win. There goes another Chevrolet, winning the race. In the end Chevy is the one to beat still! Lets keep the momentum going Kevin Harvick and win the duel race. `
Rainier said:
Feb 7, 2010 at 9:13 AMThat was so disappointing when they called that race with the yellow out with clearly 2 laps to go still. I wanted to throw my TV out the window, what a waste of time for it to end that way.
austinh said:
Feb 7, 2010 at 10:15 AMGreat to hear kyle crying and whining for mommy to fix the car again guys just gotta grow up and drive like everybody THINKS he can #7 directed at you you really need to be realistic with your comments newbie and Have a nice day.
d31kell said:
Feb 7, 2010 at 12:27 PMI believe the last restart was a green-white-checkered which means if a caution comes out it doesnt matter if the leader takes the white flag or not the race is over, but I could be wrong. It really doesnt matter, Harvicks car was more superior at that time and he would have won anyway. I do beleive that NASCAR makes the rules up as they go along, but the rules hardly ever favor RCR, they save that for their Toyotas and Hendrick boys and that but kisser Carl Edwards, he should run for office for being such a smoooooth talker.
SS396Chevelle said:
Feb 7, 2010 at 1:23 PM#7 Martin needs to retire. He just won the pole for the Daytona 500. Nothing has changed with the 18 as he keeps on crying about having a bad car. He can't blame Addington. At least we didn't see any Camry or Prius ads last night.
ROWDY said:
Feb 7, 2010 at 2:18 PM#15, Hey nit wit, Kyle wasnt crying. They had the wrong gear in the car. Your guys didnt do squat in the race.
ROWDY said:
Feb 7, 2010 at 2:18 PMAnyone can get a pole!
HMS_SUCKS said:
Feb 7, 2010 at 2:27 PMSS396Chevelle, We will start the year off this way.
JGR 4TH, 5TH, and 7TH
HMS 6TH, 11TH, 13TH, and 20TH
Cry about your own drivers who like to crash.
bkbroiler said:
Feb 7, 2010 at 4:21 PMNascar said one green,white checkered attempt. If a caution comes out during this one attempt the race is over. Very simple rule to understand.
jbbigrod said:
Feb 7, 2010 at 4:57 PMGood thing Hardick had a Ford PUSH him to the front. . . Kasey you need to push another FORD, not a Chuvorlevit. . . . Just because it is a Chuvorlevit doesn't mean you HAVE to Chuv it. Just leave it.
Motorsportsphotography said:
Feb 7, 2010 at 5:09 PMAnyone can win a pole. And just what does a pole mean for a plate race. Absolutely nothing. As far as the 18 goes. He is still kicking Jeff's butt. even with the wrong gear in the car.
wmvjr1960 said:
Feb 7, 2010 at 8:29 PMWasn't the green/white/checker simply because there were actually 2 laps to go? So that would mean they should have tried it one more time? If there were really 2 laps left, they never did get a shot at the g/w/c... except the one that naturally occurs in every race? Personally, as a paying customer, no race should ever end under caution, it doesn't matter if it takes 8 tries. I call B.S.
Clint_Eastwood said:
Feb 7, 2010 at 8:43 PMOnce again, NASCAR ripped off the ticket buying fans with their ridiculous "one attempt at a Green, White, Checker finish.' This policy has to be changed, as well as running laps off during caution. For that race, there should have been no reason for all caution laps to count. NASCAR has a lot of policies that have to be changed. Not ought to be changed, but have to be changed. It's time for pressure to be applied to NASCAR management to shape up. I spent a lot of hard earned cash to see a race. The ARCA race was better. What a joke
knchevy41 said:
Feb 7, 2010 at 11:13 PMOk Im glad Kasey got behind Harvick, If not Biffle would have taken him out like he did all the other Fords, Kahne was probably the only Ford who finished the race with out wrecking. I cant stand Harvick, but Im glad he won over Edwards. Ed and Montoya weret the other two annoyances to me. Great run for the Gibbs cars. I think Fords will have a better 2010. I can honestly say JBBIGROD, that I cant stand half of the Chevy field. Gordon, Martin, Jr, McMurray, Burton, Bowyer, Stewart and Ryan Newman are the Chevy camp, and as you suggest the name Chuvorlevit, I have given that name to Harvick, Montoya, and Jimmie Johnson. Go Chevy, Boo Chuvorlevit! Thanks JBBIGROD for the idea.
knchevy41 said:
Feb 7, 2010 at 11:14 PMMears is a double Chuvorlevit!
24LOVER said:
Feb 8, 2010 at 12:19 AMBudweiser Shootout has to end under a green flag. What's up NASCAR? Harvick came in because Gil said so. He wanted to stay out just in case. What's the explanation NASCAR? Budweiser Shootout has to end under a green flag.
Bazinga said:
Feb 8, 2010 at 1:18 PM#10 Robby. The drivers involved in the wreck that went to back up cars had to PRACTICE THOSE back up cars. The 29 was the only one who got out on the track with their back up car. Don't be such a hater because who you root for didn't win.
SS396Chevelle said:
Feb 8, 2010 at 4:05 PM#18 Did the race count? Don't think so. Any one can win a pole? Really? What does it mean in a plate race? Well you have 42 cars behind you not in front of you. The wrong gear in the car. Well who's fault it that? Kicked Jeff's butt! He was never close to Jeff the entire race. The only time they mentioned Kyle is when he started his cry baby routine.
Werner said:
Feb 8, 2010 at 5:44 PMit's the Shootout...they make up rules to fit the needs, whenever they want to....
Motorsportsphotography said:
Feb 8, 2010 at 7:12 PM#28, The pole means nothing at Daytona or Dega. You can start dead last and finish in first place. Its a long race. And JGR did kick HMS butts. Heck, everyone did. The wrong gear was not Kyles fault. You wont fid a Hendrick car winning the 500 this year.
Motorsportsphotography said:
Feb 8, 2010 at 7:22 PMThe real race was down the street on Sunday night when Austin Dillon guided his Black #3 back to VL for the second time in 2 years beating out Clint Bowyer, Kenny Wallace and Ken Schrader amongst other including Buzzie Reutimann. Its going to be another good show tonight.
SS396Chevelle said:
Feb 8, 2010 at 9:11 PM#30 Who's fault was the wrong gear? Not Addington who wouldn't make changes the way Kyle wanted them made. We must have watched a different race. Jeff was pushing Biffle to the lead when Biffle blew a tire. JGR didn't show anything. I most certainly do see a HMS car winning the 500.
Motorsportsphotography said:
Feb 9, 2010 at 12:23 PMBiffle never blew a tire. the tire was still up at Jeff wrecked him. JGR all finished in the Top 7. Its HMS who had nothing all night.