Harvick Tops on Day 1 in Michigan

Kevin Harvick overpowered Brad Keselowski in overtime to take Saturday’s NASCAR Cup Events at Michigan International Speedway

BROOKLYN, Mich. – August 9, 2020 – ANTHONY HOLBROOK

The Firekeepers Casino 400 was set for the green on Saturday in Brooklyn, Michigan.  Saturday’s event is the first of two NASCAR Cup Series races at Michigan International Speedway in two consecutive days.

Joey Logano and Denny Hamlin set the front row.  156 laps of stock car racing in the Irish Hills follows.

The Firekeepers Casino 400 Stage 1 recap:

Laps: 40 (1-40 / 156)
As the Green flag flys, Penske Driver – Joey Lonago teamed up with the Stuart –Haas Driver No. 10 – Aric Almirola to push Logano No. 22 Ford to  claim the front.

Logano shall encounter multiple attemtps for the post position by Gibbs Racing Driver-Denny Hamlin before the mandated competition caution on lap 16.  Logano protects his lead by keeping Hamlin in his rear view mirror.

Back to green after the competition caution, Hamlin will hook up with RCR Driver No. 8 – Tyler Reddick and bump-draft Hamlin to the lead.

Stuart-Haaus Driver- Kevin Harvick dives his Stuart-Haas Racing Ford to the inside lane, passing Hamlin for the lead on Lap 23, as Logano fades through the field.

Kevin Harvick winsStage 1 at Michigan International Speedway.

Firekeepers Casino 400 Results – Stage 1  

1. Kevin Harvick
2. Denny Hamlin
3. Ryan Blaney
4. Kurt Busch
5. Brad Keselowski
6. Erik Jones
7. Alex Bowman
8. Chase Elliott
9. Kyle Busch
10. Ricky Stenhouse Jr

The Firekeepers Casino 400 – Stage 2 recap:

Laps: 45 (41-85 / 156)

Stage 2 Lap 41 restart, Hamlin gets the jump on the No. 2 Penske Racing Ford passing Brad Keselowski for the lead.

Battling for Clean air the No. 12 Penske Racing Driver –Ryan Blaney commits to the outside lane anddrives past Hamlin for the point on Lap 50.

Lap 60 Kevin Harvick moves Erik Jones out of his way to claim second position, setting his sights on Stage 2 leader Blaney.

Blaney eventually gets boxed-in behind lap traffic going into turn three,  allowing  Harvick  the opportunity to retakes the lead on Lap 77.

Kevin Harvick wins Back to Back Sages at Michigan International Speedway

The Firekeepers Casino 400 Results – Stage 2

1. Kevin Harvick
2. Ryan Blaney
3. Denny Hamlin
4. Erik Jones
5. Brad Keselowski
6. Kyle Busch
7. Kurt Busch
8. Alex Bowman
9. Clint Bowyer
10. Jimmie Johnson

The Firekeepers Casino 400 Final recap:

Laps: (86-156 / 156)

The field heads for the pit lane for the final Stage pit service.  Harvick is first in and first out.

As the green flag fly’s on the final Stage, Hamlin receives a huge shove from Erik Jones on the inside lane for the lead.

Erik Jones looks inside of Hamlin into turn three as Harvick works lane three. Three wide for the lead and Harvick escorts the pack back to the line.

Joe Hunter Nemechek spun out his No. 38 Front Row Motorsports Ford on a flat tire, brought out a caution on Lap 105.  Nemechek had a scuffle earlier with No. 38 Roush Fenway Racing Driver – Chris Buescher damaging Joe Hunter’s left rear quarter panel and possibly impacted his tire issues.

The field heads for the pit lane after caution.  Kyle Busch is out of pits 1st with fuel only.

With 45 circuits remaining, Harvick dives to the inside of Kyle Busch and reclaim the lead off turn two.

Fighting a damaged Ford,  John Hunter Nemechek brings out another caution flag, tightening the field with 25 to go.

After Green flag caution restart, Keselowski gives a huge bumper tap to Chase Elliott on the inside lane. Kyle Busch joins the party and makes it three wide and claims the lead. Chase Elliott speeds past them all off turn two.

Chase Elliott and Kyle Busch run even into turn one.  Kyle Busch drives it deep to the bottom lane and clears Elliott for position.  Harvick would tags Joe Gibbs Toyota Driver- Kyle Bush to retake the point.

The final laps involved multiple cautions as Cole Custer and Ryan Newman both brought out caution for drivers to strategize pit preference services.

On the Final Caution Restart, Harvick and Keselowski exchange side drafts into turn one as Harvick reclaims the post onward to Victory.

Happy Harvick  sweeps all Stages of The Firekeepers Casino 400.

The Firekeepers Casino 400 Final Results:

1. Kevin Harvick
2. Brad Keselowski
3. Martin Truex Jr
4. Ryan Blaney
5. Kyle Busch
6. Denny Hamlin
7. Chase Elliott
8. Joey Logano
9. Bubba Wallace
10. Kurt Busch
11. Erik Jones
12. Jimmie Johnson
13. Christopher Bell
14. William Byron
15. Matt DiBenedetto
16. Aric Almirola
17. Matt Kenseth
18. Tyler Reddick
19. Clint Bowyer
20. Chris Buescher
21. Alex Bowman
22. Corey LaJoie
23. Ty Dillon
24. Daniel Suarez
25. Ryan Preece
26. JJ Yeley
27. Quin Houff
28. Ryan Newman
29. Michael McDowell
30. Reed Sorenson
31. Austin Dillon
32. Ricky Stenhouse Jr
33. Timmy Hill
34. Cole Custer
35. Garrett Smithley
36. John Hunter Nemechek
37. Brennan Poole
38. James Davison
39. Joey Gase

NASCAR CUP Series 2^nd race and conclusion of the Double Header Event hosted by Michigan International Speedway, concludes Sunday August 9^th @ 4:30 p.m. for the Consumers Energy 400   NBCSN/NBC Sports App Sirus Radio 90