NASCAR made its triumphant return on Sunday — and so did Kevin Harvick.
RETWEET TO CONGRATULATE @KEVINHARVICK ON HIS WIN AT DARLINGTON!#NASCARISBACK pic.twitter.com/jYDZYbeYKW
— FOX: NASCAR (@NASCARONFOX) May 17, 2020
The No. 4 Ford Mustang driver led 159 laps for his second career Darlington win after NASCAR’s two-month racing hiatus. He’s the only driver to finish in the top 10 of every race this season, and after the race was over Sunday, Harvick celebrated appropriately:
“Time to have some donuts. You’ve got to do a donut – you’ve got a celebrate a victory. That’s gotta feel great.”
Burn ’em down, @KevinHarvick!#NASCARIsBack and it feels so good. pic.twitter.com/s1wP8slV1Q
— FOX: NASCAR (@NASCARONFOX) May 17, 2020
We checked in with Harvick post-race, and while he was excited to celebrate his 50th career win, making him the 14th driver in NASCAR history to do so, he took a moment to honor healthcare workers on the frontlines during this pandemic.
“This Dr. Josh Hughes is one of my really good friends. I’ve spent a lot of time with him, I’ve seen how this whole pandemic has affected our frontline workers in person on a weekly basis. Thank you Josh, we’re thinking about you.”
“I’m speechless.”- @KevinHarvick talks with @ReganSmith and honors #TheRealHeroes after his Darlington win. pic.twitter.com/0fJcjsv2d2
— FOX: NASCAR (@NASCARONFOX) May 17, 2020
It was a tight one until the end, with Harvick and No. 88 Chevy driver Alex Bowman battling into the final minutes.
They are battling at @TooToughToTame! @KevinHarvick and @AlexBowman88 are putting on a show out front! (📺: FOX) pic.twitter.com/1jOugbADqB
— NASCAR (@NASCAR) May 17, 2020
Drivers certainly had to shake off a little bit of rust on Sunday, with the race featuring 10 lead changes and nine caution flags, as the track that’s “too tough to tame” lived up to its name.
The trouble started early, with the yellow flag flying after the first lap when No. 47 Chevy driver Ricky Stenhouse Jr. spun out and hit the safety barrier. The damage was terminal, and Stenhouse was unable return to the track.
RETWEET IF YOU’RE WATCHING! WE ARE RACING AT DARLINGTON.
(That didn’t take long … trouble for Stenhouse on the first lap) pic.twitter.com/DEQyT6w8ug
— FOX: NASCAR (@NASCARONFOX) May 17, 2020
Stenhouse was very disappointed in his short run today, but is looking forward to a new day of racing on Wednesday.
“My crew guys, I feel awful for them – they put a lot of hard work into getting our cars ready, and coming all the way down here down to Darlington.”
Not a whole lot to say. Put myself in a bad spot to start the race. Embarrassing for myself and my team. We will be ready for Wednesday. pic.twitter.com/k1C0nBlO1I
— Ricky Stenhouse Jr. (@StenhouseJr) May 17, 2020
Seven-time champion Jimmie Johnson took the lead in the last laps of stage one, but it wasn’t for long, as he got turned around and crashed into the wall on the final lap – what a heartbreaking way to go from first, to last.
“Oh Jimmie Johnson! Unbelievable, our leader. Shaking his head, boy, you know he’s frustrated with that. Had such a great car, a great race going on.”
CRASH for Jimmie Johnson on the last lap of Stage 1. He was leading. Wow.#NASCARIsBack pic.twitter.com/EJcr5isIL5
— FOX: NASCAR (@NASCARONFOX) May 17, 2020
We heard from Jimmie following the crash that ended his day at Darlington.
“Coming into the end of stage, and just trying to make sure I got a good run off of turn two … things just went horribly wrong there. Just unfortunate things didn’t turn out off of turn two.”
“What I would do to get that corner back to do it over again.”- Jimmie Johnson after his Darlington crash pic.twitter.com/S0TaXYdcXd
— FOX: NASCAR (@NASCARONFOX) May 17, 2020
The trouble continued for Hendrick Chevrolet, as William Byron wiggled and made contact with the outside wall, causing the yellow flag to fly.
“Those Hendrick Chevrolet’s looked unbelievable at the start of this race, and now nothing is going right for them.”
Trouble for William Byron! Caution is out. pic.twitter.com/XDVCPejOen
— FOX: NASCAR (@NASCARONFOX) May 17, 2020
Byron was, of course, not pleased with his finish, but is ready to regroup and return with a vengeance on Wednesday.
So disappointing we had such a FAST car @Hendrick24Team. Vibration kept getting worse and finally came loose. Good thing is we can rally and do it again Wednesday. We’ll be ready.
— William Byron (@WilliamByron) May 17, 2020
Cautions were the name of the game today, and the next driver to bring out the yellow flag was No. 6 Ford Mustang driver Ryan Newman.
The first race back since Mar. 8 also marked veteran driver Ryan Newman’s return to racing, who was hospitalized after a terrifying crash during the Daytona 500.
“He got really loose – I don’t know, I don’t think he was trying to get to pit road. It’s possible. But I think he just got really loose in turns three and four … that almost looked like a tire issue.”
Trouble for Ryan Newman. pic.twitter.com/2rllbKL3uA
— FOX: NASCAR (@NASCARONFOX) May 17, 2020
While a few drivers didn’t bring out the caution flag, they still dealt with trouble on the track, including Stewart-Haas Racing’s Clint Bowyer.
Man, what a bummer. Was pretty damn good all day till the money was on the line. Then things fell apart very quickly. No mistakes at this level, you will pay!!! Did feel good to get back on the racetrack. Congrats @KevinHarvick and we’ll clean things up for Wednesday.
— Clint Bowyer (@ClintBowyer) May 17, 2020
No. 53 Chevy Camaro driver Garrett Smithley had his own share of problems today too.
Motor problems for us. Fought some power steering deal too, but hey we get to re-rack for Wednesday! Can’t wait, enjoy the end! #RealHeroes400 #NASCAR pic.twitter.com/V45XbZSPb3
— Garrett Smithley (@GarrettSmithley) May 17, 2020
But even with the difficulties, a few drivers were able to navigate and find success. Two-time champion of the NASCAR Xfinity Series Tyler Reddick felt like he hasn’t taken any time off, and his momentum is strong.
“First day was a little rough around the edges at times, but man starting 29th but getting up to, I think the top 5, in the first 120-so laps – just an outstanding start to our day.”
P7 after coming from 29th- TWICE!! #NASCARIsBack @CaterpillarInc pic.twitter.com/GdGhg5hIx4
— Tyler Reddick (@TylerReddick) May 17, 2020
It was a great day all around, and fans loved the action as much as the drivers did.
It is so good to see something normal happening on t v
Thank you NASCAR— Charlie Daniels (@CharlieDaniels) May 17, 2020
NASCAR should race at Darlington multiple times per year from now on.
Thank you have a nice day.
— Nick Bromberg (@NickBromberg) May 17, 2020
Love seeing all the people tweeting they are watching NASCAR for the first time & liking it. Welcome to the party, you may never leave. 😂
— Kaitlyn Vincie (@kaitlynvincie) May 17, 2020
Following today’s race, we have one question:
How is it that Matt Kenseth can be out of NASCAR since the end of 2018, hop back in a car with a brand new team, having never driven this package…and be in position to get a top-10 late in the race? Sheesh. That’s something else.
— Jeff Gluck (@jeff_gluck) May 17, 2020
We’ll see you Wednesday!
