Kevin Harvick was second at Michigan for the fourth straight race, matching the Sprint Cup Series record set by Dale Jarrett at Rockingham (N.C.) Speedway. He was in a sour mood in June after winning the pole and getting stuck in a battle of pit strategy but was in better spirits Sunday.
He’s already locked up a spot on the Chase Grid and said the team is much more concerned with remaining consistent as it counts the days until the series’ postseason.
The finish was welcome news for Stewart-Haas Racing, which has been under a cloud since co-owner Tony Stewart was involved in a sprint car racing incident last Saturday night that resulted in driver Kevin Ward Jr. suffering fatal injuries.
“Everybody has stepped up and did what they had to do inside the shop,” Harvick said. “Everybody just has to pitch in and do their part to help Tony get through his situation.
“I know he’ll stay strong and fight.”
Jeff Burton qualified Stewart’s No. 14 Chevrolet and finished 37th after electrical problems forced him to bring the car to the garage area for several laps.
SHR teammates Danica Patrick and Kurt Busch finished 18th and 31st, respectively, after each had crashes. Patrick spun on lap 26 and the ensuing pileup collected eight cars. Busch hit the turn 1 wall while running second on a lap 180 restart.
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