After dominating the first half of the Virginia 529 College Savings 250, Kevin Harvick and Richard Childress Racing’s No. 33 Fast Fixin’ team battled a tight-handling condition to capture a third-place finish at Richmond International Raceway. Harvick led the field to the green flag after earning his 24th career NASCAR Nationwide Series pole during qualifying Friday afternoon. The Bakersfield, Calif., native led 69 laps while fighting a tight-handling condition on the Fast Fixin’ Chevrolet before crew chief, Ernie Cope, directed his driver to pit road on lap 70 for the team’s first pit stop during a caution period. The Fast Fixin’ crew put on four fresh tires, added fuel and made a chassis adjustment to help the handling of the No. 33 Chevrolet, the team’s quick stop allowed Harvick to restart the race first position. As green-flag racing resumed, the tight-handing condition continued to plague the two-time NASCAR Nationwide Series champion causing him to fall back to the second position. The Fast Fixin’ crew continued to make adjustments to the car during their final two pit stops, but the tight-handling condition ensued, and Harvick ultimately crossed the finish line third.
Start - 1 Finish - 3 Laps Led - 158 Owner’s Points - 3
KEVIN HARVICK QUOTE:
“We had a dominate car tonight, but we just weren’t able to be there at the end. We were hoping to put the Fast Fixin’ Chevrolet in victory lane, but we got too tight on the longer runs. It was a really exciting end to the race, just wish it would have got a little more exciting so we would have had a chance at the win.”