Kevin Harvick led only three laps Saturday night at Richmond International Raceway, but that was all he needed. Harvick survived a wild free for all from seventh place on a green white checkered flag finish passing his teammate Jeff Burton to score his first NASCAR Sprint Cup win of 2013.
After starting 17, Harvick was a non-factor the entire race only coming on strong as the laps wound down. The key was a four tire pit stop with 56 laps to go for Harvick. With fresher tires Harvick was able to make his way through the field and began stalking surprise leader Juan Pablo Montoya with less than 20 laps to go. Brian Vickers driving in relief for Denny Hamlin crashed with seven laps to go setting up the green white checkered flag finish.
Montoya and Harvick were among several of the leaders who pitted for tires handing the lead to Burton. Montoya and Harvick restarted behind Burton, Jamie McMurray, AJ Allmendinger who also stayed out, along with Carl Edwards and Tony Stewart each of whom had stopped for two tires. MORE>>>
Greg is the author of "The Nuts and Bolts of NASCAR: The Definitive Viewers' Guide to Big-Time Stock Car Auto Racing" and has been published in major publications across the country including the Los Angeles Times, the Cleveland Plain Dealer and the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. He was also a contributor to Chicken Soup for the NASCAR Soul, published in 2010, and the Christmas edition in 2016. He wrote as the NASCAR, Formula 1, Auto Reviews and National Veterans Affairs Examiner for Examiner.com and has appeared on Fox News. He holds a BS degree in communications, a Masters degree in psychology and is currently a PhD candidate majoring in psychology. He is currently the weekend Motorsports Editor for Autoweek.
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