Happy Harvick Kisses Bricks

Kevin Harvick wins at Indy in a dominating fashion leading 118 0f 160 laps at the Brickyard.

 INDIANAPOLIS – September 8, 2019 – Anthony Holbrook

Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series 26th race of the 2019 season traveled to Indianapolis Motor Speedway for the Big Machine Vodka 400.

Season Veteran – Kevin Harvick unloaded a fast Stuart – Hass No. 4 Ford hot rod and captured the pole Award on the famed 2.5 mile rectangular oval. 

This race will be the final chance for some drivers to earn two valuable positions in the forthcoming Championship Playoff based on point standings. Clint Bowyer, Daniel Suarez, Ryan Newman and along with 7 time Cup Champion –  Jimmie Johnson battled for the opportunity.

Stage 1

Joey Logano – Driver of the No. 22 Penskee Ford took advantage of a late caution to secure Stage 1 victory.  After multiple teams pitted under caution, Logano opted to stay out and collected valuable stage points and 8^th Stage win of the season.

1. Joey Logano
2. Kyle Larson
3. Kevin Harvick
4. Ryan Blaney
5. Ryan Newman
6. Jimmie Johnson
7. Kyle Busch
8. Denny Hamlin
9. Alex Bowman

10. Chris Busher

Stage 2

Pole winner Kevin Harvick dominates Stage 2 and wins his 5^th Stage of season.  Clint Bowyer No. 14 Stuart – Haas Ford finished fifth for his quest for a playoff birth.  Other playoff contenders Daniel Suarez and Jimmie Johnson finish 6^th and 8^th respectfully, earning Stage 2 points.

1. Kevin Harvick
2. Kyle Larson
3. Ryan Blaney
4. Joey Logano
5. Clint Bowyer
6. Daniel Suarez
7. Kurt Busch
8. Jimmie Johnson
9. William Byron

10. Aric Almirola

Final Stage

Kevin Harvick displaying the fastest car of the day, crossed the Yard of Bricks for his 2^nd career win at Indy.  Happy’s  first win at Indy,  a distant 16 year ago.

The final 2 positions of the 16-driver playoff contenders was decided with in a caution filled afternoon.  No. 14 Clint Bowyer crossed the stripe in 5^th while No. 6 Ryan Newman punched his playoff ticket with an 8^th place finish.  Mexican native Daniel Suarez rallied back from an early confrontation only to finish 11^th falling short of the playoff cut.   A disappointing day for 7 time Cup Champ Jimmie Johnson as his No. 48 Hendrick Chevy failed to qualify for a playoff spot for the first time in 16 years.  Johnson winless streak extended to 85 races.

Big Machine Vodka 400 at The Brickyard Final results

1. (1) Kevin Harvick, Ford, 160.

2. (4) Joey Logano, Ford, 160.

3. (15) Bubba Wallace, Chevrolet, 160.

4. (29) William Byron, Chevrolet, 160.

5. (3) Clint Bowyer, Ford, 160.

6. (33) Denny Hamlin, Toyota, 160.

7. (9) Ryan Blaney, Ford, 160.

8. (22) Ryan Newman, Ford, 160.

9. (24) Chase Elliott, Chevrolet, 160.

10. (2) Paul Menard, Ford, 160.

11. (20) Daniel Suarez, Ford, 160.

12. (18) Austin Dillon, Chevrolet, 160.

13. (25) Ty Dillon, Chevrolet, 160.

14. (10) Aric Almirola, Ford, 160.

15. (16) Chris Buescher, Chevrolet, 160.

16. (23) Ryan Preece, Chevrolet, 160.

17. (21) Michael McDowell, Ford, 160.

18. (26) Matt DiBenedetto, Toyota, 160.

19. (30) Corey LaJoie, Ford, 160.

20. (17) David Ragan, Ford, 160.

21. (13) Alex Bowman, Chevrolet, 160.

22. (34) Ross Chastain, Chevrolet, 160.

23. (37) Reed Sorenson, Chevrolet, 160.

24. (36) Ryan Sieg, Chevrolet, 157.

25. (35) BJ McLeod, Ford, 157.

26. (40) JJ Yeley, Chevrolet, 157.

27. (27) Martin Truex Jr, Toyota, 156.

28. (38) Garrett Smithley, Ford, 156.

29. (39) Josh Bilicki, Ford, 155.

30. (8) Kurt Busch, Chevrolet, 155.

31. (12) Ricky Stenhouse Jr, Ford, 153.

32. (28) Matt Tifft, Ford, Accident, 147.

33. (19) Kyle Larson, Chevrolet, Accident, 129.

34. (11) Daniel Hemric, Chevrolet, Accident, 109.

35. (5) Jimmie Johnson, Chevrolet, Accident, 105.

36. (32) Parker Kligerman, Toyota, Accident, 104.

37. (7) Kyle Busch, Toyota, Engine, 87.

38. (6) Brad Keselowski, Ford, Accident, 48.

39. (14) Erik Jones, Toyota, Accident, 48.

40. (31) Landon Cassill, Chevrolet, Accident, 40.

Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series 2019 Playoff Drivers

1) 18-Kyle Busch [4 wins] 2045 pts
2) 11-Denny Hamlin [4 wins] 2030
3) 19-Martin Truex, Jr. [4 wins] 2029
4) 4-Kevin Harvick [3 wins] 2028
5) #22-Joey Logano [2 wins] 2028
6) 2-Brad Keselowski [3 wins] 2024
7) 9-Chase Elliott [2 win] 2018
8) 1-Kurt Busch [1 win] 2011
9) 88-Alex Bowman [1 win] 2005
10) 20-Erik Jones [1 win] 2005
11) 42-Kyle Larson 2005
12) 12-Ryan Blaney 2004
13) 24-William Byron 2001
14) 10-Aric Almirola 2001
15) 14-Clint Bowyer 2000
16) 6-Ryan Newman 2000

Time of Race:

 3 Hours, 20 Minutes, 6 Seconds.

Average Speed of Race Winner:

119.443 mph.

Margin of Victory:

 6.118 Seconds.

Caution Flags:

9 for 48 laps.

Lead Changes:

13 among 8 drivers.

Lap Leaders:

K. Harvick 0; K. Harvick 1-12; R. Chastain 13; K. Harvick 14-42; J. Logano 43-52; K. Larson 53-56; K. Harvick 57-84; K. Larson 85; W. Byron 86; J. Logano 87; J. Johnson 88-91; P. Menard 92; K. Harvick 93-111; R. Blaney 112-130; K. Harvick 131-160.

Leaders Summary (Driver, Times Lead, Laps Led):

 Kevin Harvick 5 times for 118 laps; Ryan Blaney 1 time for 19 laps; Joey Logano 2 times for 11 laps; Kyle Larson 2 times for 5 laps; Jimmie Johnson 1 time for 4 laps; William Byron 1 time for 1 lap; Ross Chastain 1 time for 1 lap; Paul Menard 1 time for 1 lap.

The Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Round 1 of the 2019 playoff schedule rolls to the Las Vegas Motor Speedway for the South Point 400 , Sunday Sept. 15^th @ 7:00 pm.  NBC/PRN