Harvick takes the checkered flag at Dover

Three takeaways from the AAA 400

Kevin Harvick is all smiles after taking the checkered flag at the Monster Mile. ROBERT DERA PHOTO

Sean C. Brooks

May 14, 2018

Kevin Harvick does a burnout after winning the race. ROBERT DERA PHOTO

The Dover win was Kevin Harvick’s fourth of the year. ROBERT DERA PHOTO

Ty Dillon’s team is hard at work in the pits. ROBERT DERA PHOTO

Kevin Harvick just misses a lost tire in the pits. ROBERT DERA PHOTO

Drivers go three wide on the Monster Mile. ROBERT DERA PHOTO

Drivers take chances and drive close at Dover. ROBERT DERA PHOTO

Justin Allgaier wins the Dash 4 Cash. ANDREW DERA PHOTO

NASCAR legend Jeff Gordon gives a high-five to a young fan. ANDREW DERA PHOTO

Jeff Gordon poses for a photo in front of a new plaque at the Monster Mile. ANDREW DERA PHOTO

Jeff Gordon stands in the shadow of the Miles the Monster statue outside the track. ANDREW DERA PHOTO

Jeff Gordon shares a laugh with a group of men. ANDREW DERA PHOTO

Justin Allgaier does a burnout after winning the Dash 4 Cash. ANDREW DERA PHOTO

Jeremy Clements speeds out after a pit stop. ANDREW DERA PHOTO

What can you say? Kevin Harvick wins again! His performance was dominating at the AAA 400 Drive for Autism May 6 at Dover International Speedway, as he beat his teammate Clint Bowyer by 7.45 seconds.

Not to say there weren’t a few other leaders … there were. Brad Keselowski, Clint Bowyer, and even Alex Bowman led some laps in the race. This was Harvick’s fourth win of the season, and he’s having fun for sure. His whole team is for that matter, as all the SHR cars finished in the top 5. Bowyer was second, Kurt Busch was fifth and Aric Almirola finished 11th.

No letting up from the top-tier drivers

Keselowski keeps charging along, and it’s only a matter of time before the No. 2 team gets a win. Kyle Busch was racing in the top five all day and has solidified his position in the Chase. He most certainly would have had another top five if not for a broken drive shaft, which almost never happens now. Martin Truex Jr.’s luck is starting to change, as he is beginning to return to last year’s form. Even after losing a lap for a right front, he was easily able to finish fourth.

Chevy has some work to do

Jimmie Johnson was the highest-finishing Chevy driver in the field, and that was a disappointing ninth. Kyle Larson, driver of the No. 42 car and pole winner for Sunday’s race, finished 10th. Larson and Bowman were each penalized for pre-race inspections and sent to the back to start the race.

Fringe playoff spots still up for grabs

Drivers such as Denny Hamlin (seventh), Ryan Blaney (eighth), Chase Elliott (12th) and the rest of the top-tier drivers continue to solidify race by race. Drivers on the fringe, like Ryan Newman (a very disappointing 33rd) and Bubba Wallace (25th) better get on their horses because, as we know, anything can happen, and these drivers don’t want to be left on the outside looking in come Chase time.