Harvick Dominates in Dover, Clinches Chase Spot

Originally written for CLNS Radio.

Kevin Harvick won the AAA 400 from Dover International Speedway on Sunday afternoon.

Harvick dominated the race, leading a race-high 355 of 400 laps on Sunday.  Harvick said this weekend was simply one of the weekends where they unloaded with a good car.

Photo courtesy Sean Gardner/Getty Images

“Anytime you can go through moments like this and gain some momentum and prove to yourself that you can do things like this, there’s no way you can’t be stronger,” Harvick said.

Harvick came into Sunday needing a victory to move on to the next round of the Chase.  After his dominant performance, Harvick said his team is more prepared for this year’s championship run.

“I’m so proud of these guys…that never-quit attitude,” Harvick said.  “I think we’re better than we were last year just because of the experiences and things we’ve had.”

“Obviously we weren’t in a great position coming into today, but that’s what these guys are made of.”

The race had some excitement in the closing laps, as the rest of the Chase field was set for the Contender Round.  Dale Earnhardt Jr. clinched the final spot in the Chase after tying Jamie McMurray for 12th in points and getting in via the tie-breaker.  The four drivers eliminated from the Chase after the first round were McMurray, Jimmie Johnson, Paul Menard and Clint Bowyer.

Unofficial results:

1. Kevin Harvick

2. Kyle Busch

3. Dale Earnhardt Jr.

4. Jamie McMurray

5. Aric Almirola

6. Kasey Kahne

7. Matt Kenseth

8. Ricky Stenhouse Jr.

9. Kyle Larson

10. Joey Logano

11. Martin Truex Jr.

12. Jeff Gordon

13. Greg Biffle

14. Clint Bowyer

15. Carl Edwards

16. Brad Keselowski

17. Kurt Busch

18. Denny Hamlin

19. Ryan Newman

20. Sam Hornish Jr.

21. Danica Patrick

22. David Ragan

23. Austin Dillon

24. Casey Mears

25. Paul Menard

26. Tony Stewart

27. Justin Allgaier

28. Cole Whitt

29. AJ Allmendinger

30. David Gilliland

31. Trevor Bayne

32. Alex Bowman

33. Reed Sorenson

34. Matt DiBenedetto

35. J.J. Yeley

36. Josh Wise

37. Michael Annett

38. Alex Kennedy

39. Timmy Hill

40. Landon Cassill

41. Jimmie Johnson

42. Brett Moffitt

43. Jeb Burton

Photo courtesy Rainier Ehrhardt/Getty Images