Kevin Harvick and the No. 29 Budweiser Chevrolet team picked up a 13th-place result at Watkins Glen International on Sunday afternoon after leading laps in the 220-mile event. Starting from the 26th position, the Richard Childress Racing driver immediately began working his way forward in the running order settling into the 21st spot on lap eight. Harvick informed the Budweiser team that his red and white Chevrolet was tight in the esses, leading crew chief Gil Martin to call his driver to pit road for four tires, fuel and air pressure adjustments during the lap-15 caution period. Harvick was scored in the 26th position for the ensuing restart and continued to work his way toward the front, taking over the lead when a round of green-flag pit stops began cycling through the field for drivers who didn't pit under the previous caution period. The California native remained out front for eight laps before surrendering the top spot and falling back in the field. Harvick continued to run in the top five until coming down pit road for four tires and fuel on lap 50 under green-flag conditions. As another round of green-flag pit stops cycled through the field, Harvick was scored in the 26th position. The team tried to make a final pit stop under green again to top off on fuel, but the caution flag was displayed before Harvick could wheel his way onto pit road, forcing the team to pit under caution on lap 61 for fuel and four tires. Unable to use pit strategy to regain track position, the 21-time NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race winner was forced to battle traffic on his way to the front of the field. Harvick survived multiple wrecks and caution periods during the final laps to bring home a 13th-place result. Following the event at Watkins Glen International, Harvick remains fourth in the Sprint Cup Series driver championship point standings.
KEVIN HARVICK QUOTE:
"We had a really fast Budweiser Chevrolet today. We just couldn't get the break we needed on pit strategy."