It had been almost two full years since Kevin Harvick was in Victory Lane, but on Sunday he snapped the cold streak and won the FireKeepers Casino 400 at Michigan International Speedway. Harvick, who drove the red Busch Light Apple No. 4 Ford for Stewart-Haas Racing, outdistanced pole-sitter Bubba Wallace by about three seconds for the win. He caught a break with about five laps to go after race officials decided not to wave a caution flag when Daniel Suarez blew a tire. Wallace finished second, followed by Denny Hamlin, Joey Logano and Ryan Blaney. CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM Kevin Harvick, driver of Busch Light Apple No. 4 Ford, greets fans during driver introductions before the NASCAR Cup Series FireKeepers Casino 400 at Michigan International Speedway, August 7, 2022, in Brooklyn, Michigan. (Sean Gardner/Getty Images) Harvick entered the race 10th in the standings and 17th in the projected playoff standings. He had five top 5s and 11 top 10s before taking the victory lap in front of the fans. “Everybody that questioned us, they don’t know us. They obviously know that we thrive in those types of situations. A lot of things came our way today that we haven’t had all year,” Harvick said, adding the biggest thing. for him it was to take advantage of the pitches and restart. Christopher Bell took a victory in Stage 1 but was later forced to pit after brief contact with the wall. Hamlin finished second in Stage 1, but won Stage 2. But in the end, it was Harvick who came out on top. Kevin Harvick (4), Tyler Reddick (8) and Kyle Larson (5) race at Michigan International Speedway in Brooklyn, Michigan, August 7, 2022. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya) MALL OF AMERICA SHOOTING: KYLE BUSCH’S WIFE SAYS FAMILY IS SAFE AFTER ESCAPE There were 15 driver changes in the race with 10 different captains. It had been 65 races since Harvick’s last victory, which came at the Bass Pro Shops/NRA Night Race in Bristol on September 19, 2020. He matched that Kyle Busch. Bubba Wallace (23) races with Joey Logano (yellow) and Christopher Bell (20) in the race at Michigan International Speedway in Brooklyn, Michigan, August 7, 2022. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya) Denny Hamlin (11) and Joey Logano (22) race in the FireKeepers Casino 400 at Michigan International Speedway in Brooklyn, Michigan, August 7, 2022. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya) He won nine times that year, but finished fifth in the championship. With the win at Michigan, Harvick is now in the NASCAR playoffs with just a few races remaining. CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP The Federated Auto Parts 400 at Richmond Raceway in Virginia is scheduled for next week. Ryan Gaydos is the sports editor for Fox News and Fox Business. Story tips can be sent to [email protected]
