Kevin Harvick and the No. 29 Budweiser team drove to an eighth-place finish in the 2012 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series season-finale event at Homestead-Miami Speedway. After starting the 267-lap affair from the 23rd position, the Bakersfield, Calif., native battled handling issues that left the black and red Chevrolet tight in the center and loose on exit of the turns. Harvick maintained a running position in the top 20 while the race progressed and the pit crew made adjustments to the Budweiser Chevrolet during multiple scheduled green and yellow-flag pit stops. Harvick drove toward the front of the field, settling into the top 15 prior to the team’s final four-tire green-flag pit stop on lap 214. The 36-year-old driver broke into the top 10 with 20 laps remaining, ultimately crossing the finish line in the eighth position. The top-10 finish allowed Harvick to maintain his eighth-place position in the 2012 Sprint Cup Series driver championship point standings.
KEVIN HARVICK QUOTE:
“We struggled with the handling of the Budweiser Chevrolet for a good portion of the race today, but the team worked hard to get the balance where it needed to be. That commitment allowed us to pick up a top-10 finish, and end the season on a high note.”