General Discussion » Can Tony Jr do for Brad what he couldn't do for Dale?
There weren't that many bad calls on timing and pitstops.
Harvick crew chief didn't want to lose track position
By Bob Pockrass
Monday, May 08, 2006
BAMBI MATTILA / NASCAR SCENE
Kevin Harvick's car was so good out front during the Crown Royal 400 at Richmond International Raceway that crew chief Todd Berrier didn't want him to pit on lap 289 with Harvick leading the Nextel Cup race.
While Harvick stayed out, the rest of the field pitted. Running on older tires, Harvick eventually lost the lead and was sixth when everyone pitted again under caution with about 50 laps remaining.
Harvick, who led 272 laps of the race, wound up third.
Berrier figured if Harvick pitted on lap 289, other drivers would stay out.
"When you're leading the race, they're going to do the opposite of what you're going to do," Berrier said after the race. "That's kind of the way it works. ... I didn't want to come back and be 10th on the race track."
If there were no cautions after the pit stops on lap 289, only Harvick would have had to pit. But Berrier was confident that everyone would pit again.
"I knew everybody would [pit again]," Harvick said. "Not that they had to. I knew they would. And they did."
Harvick's car got tighter over the final 100 laps.
"We weren't aggressive enough [with changes]," Berrier said. "It's awful easy to play it a little bit different when you're chasing somebody instead of getting chased. It's just a bad position to be in."
The crew chief obviously was disappointed.
"We had a good car, but at the end of the day we didn't win the race," Berrier said. "It hurts."
Mentioned Drivers: Kevin Harvick
Popular News
Recent Headlines
-
Joe Gibbs Racing's Denny Hamlin keeps it in gear on and off the track
Post Comment -
Fun in the forecast this weekend for Roush Fenway Racing's Carl Edwards
Post Comment -
Three-time Cup champion Jimmie Johnson excited about ESPY nominations
Post Comment -
Kasey Kahne points to better equipment behind his top 12 resurgence
Comments (1) -
Jeff Gluck: Cup stars in the Nationwide Series leave young drivers on the sidelines
Comments (8)
Poll PositionView All
Was anyone at fault for the mayhem at the finish of the Coke Zero 400 at Daytona International Speedway?
Promotions
-
Play "WIX Filters' Pick 3" stock car fantasy and win prizes. Season 2 is now in session!
-
Tweet your thoughts about each race and join the conversation with other fans.
-
Drive an authentic NASCAR Sprint Cup car at the Jeff Gordon Racing School.
-
Play our simulation racing fantasy game. Free with promo code "FREECRD".
No Comments
Be the first to comment on "Harvick crew chief didn't want to lose track position". Login or sign up for a free account to post your comment