Kevin Harvick’s No. 4 Ford Mustang came alive in the final stage of Sunday’s NASCAR Cup Series Folds of Honor QuikTrip 500 at Atlanta Motor Speedway, and the 44-year old driver cruised to his second win of the 2020 season, and 51st-victory of his Cup Series career.
Following the stirring win, Harvick paid tribute to Dale Earnhardt with a polish victory — reminiscent of the gesture Harvick displayed after his first win in 2001.
Just like in 2001 and 2018, @KevinHarvick holds three fingers out the window to honor Dale Earnhardt. pic.twitter.com/9QLoxjWsLn
— FOX: NASCAR (@NASCARONFOX) June 7, 2020
Harvick, who led a race-high 151 laps, had a margin of victory was just over 3.5-seconds over Kyle Busch. Busch, the 2019 Series champion, still sits winless through 10 races in the 2020 season.
Martin Truex Jr., who won Stages 1 and 2, finished third in the race. Ryan Blaney and Denny Hamlin rounded out the top-five finishers in the race.
Kurt Busch did an astonishing job in rebounding from going a lap down in Stage 1 after starting from the rear and having a pass through penalty to start the race due to failing pre-race inspection three times.
Jimmie Johnson finished seventh and he was followed by Chase Elliott, Brad Keselowski and Joey Logano in 10th.
Clint Bowyer, Harvick’s Stewart-Haas Racing teammate, led 58 laps on the day, but ultimately his day was done in by two separate blistered tires.
Bowyer would finish a disappointing 20th, one lap off the pace.
At the conclusion of the grueling race, which was contested in much warmer temperatures than usual as Atlanta usually is run in March, only 10 cars finished on the lead lap.
Post-Race Stat Pack:
