Kevin Harvick Victorious Under the Lights of Atlanta Motor Speedway

NASCAR Nationwide Series – Great Clips 300
August 31, 2013 – Atlanta Motor Speedway

Kevin Harvick and the No. 33 Bad Boy Buggies team drove to Victory Lane Saturday night following the NASCAR Nationwide Series race at Atlanta Motor Speedway after leading 132 of the 195-lap event. The California native started the 300-mile affair from the 20th position and quickly alerted the team that his Chevrolet was too loose during the initial run. Despite battling handling issues, Harvick drove into the top-five of the running order before crew chief Ernie Cope called his driver to pit road under caution on lap 37 for four tires, fuel and a variety of chassis adjustments. Harvick lined up in the sixth position for the ensuing restart and drove his way into the lead on lap 59. While running out front during the final laps, Harvick reported a vibration in the left-rear tire, prompting the team to make a final pit stop on lap 185 under caution for four tires and fuel. The quick work on pit road allowed the two-time Nationwide Series Champion to restart first with seven laps remaining in the event. Harvick held off the competition during the final laps and picked up his first Nationwide Series victory of 2013 season.

Our Bad Boy Buggies Chevrolet was really good tonight. We were a touch too tight at the end, but we were in control of the race during the final restart and were able to do what we needed to do. We had a great car on long runs. It took us five or six laps to get going, but all-in-all we were able to keep up a good pace and were able to hold off the competition. We knew we had a good car after practice, but I didn’t qualify well and we were all a bit frustrated. In the end, that didn’t really matter. – Kevin Harvick

Race Notes

• Started – 20th, Finished, – 1st,  Laps led – 132, Points – 12th
• According to NASCAR’s Post Race Loop Data Statistics, Harvick maintained the highest Average Running Position (2.851), had the best Driver Rating (149), was the Fastest Driver Late in a Run (166.476 mph), led the field in the categories of Fastest Laps Run (57), Green Flag Speed (168.289 mph) and Laps Led (132).
• Harvick earned his first Nationwide Series victory of the 2013 season and was followed to the finish line by Kyle Busch, Sam Hornish, Jr., Kasey Kahne and Kyle Larson.

Photos