Kevin Harvick overcame a flat tire issue early in the race and had just enough gas to get to the finish line to take the win at MIS for the second straight year in the Consumers Energy 400.
Harvick started second in the race but had to overcome a flat tire issue on lap 33 and had to pit. When he came on pit road and pitted for right-side tires. Harvick finished 6th in the stage as most of the leaders went to pit road on lap 43.
Harvick struggled with a very tight race car for stage 2 of the race. He pitted on Lap 63 for tires, fuel, and an adjustment at lap 114. He then came back into the pits a few laps later due to a loose wheel and finished 18th in Stage 2.
On Lap 150 of the race, Harvick took a gamble at pitted for fuel and restarted 9th at the restart. He then got in a fierce battle with Brad Keselowski and Ryan Blaney from Team Penske on Lap 173. He then passed leader Joey Logano, who won the race at Michigan back in June with 18 laps to go. He did have enough fuel to get back to victory lane at Michigan for the second straight time.
This is Ford’s 4th Straight win at MIS and 39th career win at the track the most wins at any track for the blue oval.
Quote from Harvick:
“We just had a really fast Mobil 1 Ford Mustang all weekend. Our car handled really well today and with the multiple lanes, we were able to run all three lanes pretty well and make our way through traffic. So, just really proud of everybody on our Mobil 1 Ford and everybody back at the shop at Stewart‑Haas Racing who put together a really fast car on this racetrack where we were able to capitalize on it, and that’s always fun. Doug Yates and everybody at Roush Yates Engines does a great job, and obviously Ford puts a big circle around these two Michigan races to come up here and be the top manufacturer, and when you look at our engine program, I think that these particular racetracks really fit the style of our torque curves and the things that we do, and it was right in our wheelhouse. The evolution of these racecars is rapid, and when you talk about the engine shop, obviously Mobil 1 is a huge part of that in being able to develop new oils and today was no different. It was a good day and a lot of pieces coming together and, hopefully, when we get to Las Vegas, there will be a few more pieces that come together as well.”
The Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series nexts goes to Bristol on Saturday Night