Harvick competes Michigan weekend sweep

Kevin Harvick went undefeated in The Wolverine State this weekend.

Harvick swept both points Cup Series races held at Michigan International Speedway, held August 8th and 9th, leading the most laps in each race.

Harvick led 90 laps Sunday to claim the Consumers Energy 400, holding off a late charge from Denny Hamlin in the closing laps to take his sixth win of 2020.

“Well, Michigan is overall an important race for everybody at Ford, Roush-Yates, really all the teams,” Harvick said. “They make you well-aware of the importance of the Heritage Trophy and how much they want to keep it in their lobby.”

Hamlin’s runner-up finish to Harvick was his fourth second-place finish of 2020 and 12th Top-5 finish of the year.

“Overall, our car handled well, just needed a little more speed there and a little bit more handling to pass,” Hamlin said. “Obviously, I thought we were definitely the fastest car by running him (Kevin Harvick) down there.”

Joe Gibbs Racing teammates Martin Truex Jr. and Kyle Busch finished third and fourth respectively.

Joey Logano rounded out the Top-5 finishers.

THROUGH THE FIELD
Aric Almirola, Matt DiBenedetto, Austin Dillon, Chase Elliott and Kurt Busch finished sixth through 10th.

Stage 1 winner Clint Bowyer finished 14th after leading the opening 43 circuits.

Christopher Bell, who ran as high as second-place, was the highest finishing rookie in 17th.

Chris Buescher, who officially started from the pole, finished 20th.

Michael McDowell was the last driver to finish on the lead lap in 28th.

Team Penske teammates Ryan Blaney and Brad Keselowski were rounded out the last two positions (38th and 39th) after the two crashed in Stage 3 battling for the lead. 

OUTLOOK
The next points-awarding Cup Series race is scheduled for next Sunday in Daytona Beach, Florida at the Daytona International Speedway road course.

Four races remain until the playoffs are set. Kevin Harvick remains the points leader.