Brad Keselowski wins at Atlanta as Kevin Harvick commits late error
HAMPTON, Ga. — Highlights from Sunday’s Folds of Honor QuikTrip 500 NASCAR race at Atlanta Motor Speedway:
WINNER: Brad Keselowski passes Kyle Larson with six laps to go to secure the win. Kevin Harvick won the pole and the first two stages. He also led the most laps — 293 of the 325 scheduled in his No. 4 Stewart-Haas Racing Ford, but he faltered at the end when he sped on pit road with 14 laps left, forcing him to the back of the field.
“I was going to fast on pit road, apparently,” a disappointed Harvick said on pit road after the race. “I really hate it for everybody on this team. They put a great car under me and did everything we thought we needed to do. I knew I needed to be close to pit road speed because we were having trouble getting out of the box, but I didn’t think I was pushing it that close. … I was too fast.”
Meanwhile, Team Penske’s Keselowski saw to it that a Ford found victory lane anyway.
“Winning a Sprint Cup, er, Monster Cup race — that’s first flub of the year — these aren’t easy,” Keselowski said in victory lane. “There’s all kind of adversity that comes at you no matter who you are. Kevin was very, very strong and was probably the guy to beat today. But we persevered. We had our own issue with a tire and loose wheel, but we fought through it all day. Gosh, that feels so good. What great momentum.
“I love winning. When you win, you don’t know when you are going to win again. Gosh, it feels so good to get one so early in the season.”
PHOTOS: Behind the wheel with Brad Keselowski
POWER STATION: Two Richard Childress Racing cars lost their batteries after running well most of the day, Austin Dillon brought out the caution with 16 laps to go as his car nearly stalled on the track after running in the top 10 for most of the final stage. Ryan Newman, who started second, was forced to drive to the garage on Lap 288 when his power cut off. Dillon finished 32nd and Newman 35th.
BOWYER: A promising run by Clint Bowyer hit the skids late in the race when he bounced off the outside wall twice, the second time causing significant damage to the right side of his Ford. The incident resulted in the race’s fifth caution.
MORE NASCAR:
GRAY DAY FOR GAULDING: Gray Gaulding’s race day ended early – on lap 264 – when his engine failed, causing the afternoon’s fourth caution.
YELLOW FLIES: The race’s first “real” caution period began on lap 240 because of debris on the track. The first two cautions flew at the end of stages.
HARVICK VS. AMS: Harvick has had an interesting history at Atlanta Motor Speedway. He won in his first Cup attempt here in spectacular fashion in 2001 only weeks after he had replaced…