Harvick Clinches Third Brickyard Victory

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Harvick clinches third Brickyard victory in the NASCAR Cup Series Big Machine Hand Sanitizer 400 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway on Sunday.
INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA – JULY 05: Kevin Harvick, driver of the #4 Busch Light Patriotic Ford, and his team celebrate winning the NASCAR Cup Series Big Machine Hand Sanitizer 400 Powered by Big Machine Records at Indianapolis Motor Speedway on July 05, 2020, in Indianapolis, Indiana. Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images

Harvick clinches third Brickyard victory in the NASCAR Cup Series Big Machine Hand Sanitizer 400 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway on Sunday.

After a double-header weekend in Pocono, the NASCAR Cup Series carried the excitement to Indianapolis Motor Speedway. ‘The Brickyard’ is one of the most prestigious tracks on the Cup Series schedule. The race is also a crown jewel event and is on the bucket list for many drivers to win a race here.

The First Stage

Joey Logano jumped out front to kick off the race, but Kevin Harvick quickly took control after the competition caution. Harvick continued to expand his lead heading into the latter part of the stage.

During a long green-flag run Ryan Newman blew a tire, slamming into the wall to bring out a caution, with ten laps left in the first stage. Many leaders came down pit road for service, however, William Byron stayed out to take the lead. This move allowed Byron to jump out front on the restart and win the first stage of the race.

The Second Stage

Chase Elliott moved into the lead to begin the second stage of the race. Elliott was able to continue leading halfway through the stage when Erik Jones blew a tire to bring out the caution.

All the leaders went to pit road, but William Byron stayed out once again. With 18 laps remaining in the stage, Byron took the green flag and led the field down into turn one. However, Byron blew a tire and brought out the caution on the restart.

Austin Dillon and Denny Hamlin moved to the front row, for the following restart, however, Kevin Harvick forced three-wide action down the backstretch. He passed Hamlin and Dillon on the bottom to take the lead late in the second stage. Kevin Harvick was able to come away and win stage two.

The Third Stage

Kevin Harvick returned to lead for the final stage of the race. Denny Hamlin followed closely behind in second place. The leaders began to pit under the green flag, and it was Hamlin cycling back to the front of the field.

Shortly after, another caution flag waved. This time it was Alex Bowman blowing a tire and making hard contact in the outside wall. Hamlin continued to lead on the restart with Harvick following. Hamlin paved the way and it looked promising he would win his first race at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. However, with nine laps remaining, Denny Hamlin fell victim to another tire blowout.

Kevin Harvick was able to take the lead on the following restart and the rest is history. Kevin Harvick brings home his third Brickyard victory.

The Big Machine Hand Sanitizer 400 Results

Kevin Harvick Sits at the Top of the NASCAR Cup Series Point Standings.

Harvick leads Chase Elliott in second by 85 points, taking a commanding lead in the Cup Series this season.

Harvick also has four wins on the season and is tied with Denny Hamlin. Both drivers are heavy favorites to take two of the final four spots for the championship race at Phoenix Raceway.

With the rest of the field looking on, Harvick and Hamlin have a total of eight victories of the 16 races run this season. Before and after the COVID-19 break, both drivers have been strong with no challengers other than each other.