Both soon-to-be retired Kevin Harvick and Chase Elliott, back from his injury, lead all active drivers with victories at Dover Motor Speedway with two. Will either of them win on Sunday, and whose victory would be more noteworthy for the sport?
Steve Leffew: Dover is one of several remaining really good chances for Kevin Harvick to get at least one more win. He’s now on a 22-race winless streak and has 26 more chances to win in his retirement tour. Each week that passes, whispers will grow about whether Harvick will be able to win another race. He has a win and an average finish of fifth for his last four Dover races. A Harvick win is a story I want to see. But last time we were at Dover, Chase Elliott led 73 laps and won. Either of these guys could win. If you pair them together and give me them or the field? I need to know the odds, but that would be a tempting wager.
The question about which is more noteworthy depends on who you ask. Recent NASCAR ad campaigns spent a lot of time promoting the return of Elliott. But Harvick is the active ironman of NASCAR. If it weren’t for a one-race suspension in 2002, Harvick would’ve already eclipsed 800 consecutive starts. He’s an Ironman who took over for Ironhead. He’s been a fixture of the sport for over 20 years. One of the few remaining drivers who were active during NASCAR’s peak. Elliott will get many more wins. But a Harvick victory would be more noteworthy.
Chris Skala: It has to be Elliott. Coming off of a broken ankle, this is his third race back. With the medical waiver in play, Elliott only needs that one victory to pretty much lock himself into the playoffs. What better track to do that than the track where he won last season? A Harvick win would be big, but as we have seen in the last two weeks, NASCAR needs Elliott on track. With Elliott in victory lane, it’s not only a win for Elliott but also a win for the fans and NASCAR.
Andrew Stoddard: Neither Harvick nor Elliott will find victory lane this weekend. Stewart-Haas Racing is still lagging behind a bit in terms of race-winning speed, and this is only Elliott’s third race back in action from his leg injury. Now, based on recent NASCAR TV ratings and marketing, there is no question which of those two drivers winning would be bigger for the sport right now.
Taylor Kornhoff: Harvick winning would be far more noteworthy for the sport. Elliott has already proven he can drive despite his injury and he has many…
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