What happened?
Kevin Harvick ran away with the lead on the final restart of the NASCAR Cup Series race at Michigan International Speedway, earning his first win of 2022 on Sunday, Aug. 7. Bubba Wallace finished second and was followed by Denny Hamlin, Joey Logano and Ryan Blaney to round out the top five in the Firekeepers Casino 400.
With this victory, Harvick snapped a winless streak of 65 races and earned Ford its eighth straight victory at Michigan.
How did it happen?
In a flurry of pit stop strategies that focused on track position and fuel mileage over tire wear, it appeared the race was setting up to be Hamlin, Ross Chastain, Daniel Suarez and Christopher Bell fighting out front with 50 laps to go.
However, after Chastain and Suarez pitted early during a green flag run, the teammates rejoined the leading Toyotas one lap down in a fight to gain more track position as Bell and Hamlin still had to pit.
Then, while attempting to pass the No. 20 on the outside, Chastain was involved in a crash with Bell that brought out the race’s final caution.
And no, it actually wasn’t the Melon Man’s fault this time.
The 2️⃣0️⃣ crashes on the frontstretch! 😱 pic.twitter.com/bdak62xF1z
— NASCAR (@NASCAR) August 7, 2022
With the Trackhouse Racing Team cars trapped a lap off the pace, Hamlin only had to have a clean pit stop under caution to retain his lead. He did not.
Penalty for Denny Hamlin! Too many crew members over the wall. #NASCAR #FireKeepersCasino400
— Dalton Hopkins (@PitLaneLT) August 7, 2022
With all four contenders out of position to win, it was down to Harvick, who had hovered around the top 10 the whole day, and pole sitter Wallace on the front row to duke it out for the final 35 laps.
While Wallace gave it his best effort, Harvick received a push from Logano that sent him out in front of the No. 23. From then on, Harvick was on rails, leaving both Logano and Wallace stranded a whole 4.5 seconds behind him.
Even after Wallace got back around the Team Penske Ford, there was no catching The Closer.
Who stood out?
With all four cars qualifying in the top 10, it was a day that had the stage set for a Joe Gibbs Racing victory in the backyard of its rival car manufacturers.
While they still didn’t get the glory, it was actually 23XI Racing that carried the Toyota banner in the end with both cars finishing inside the top 10.
After Wallace earned his first career pole on Saturday, the Alabaman led 22 laps on the way to his…
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