By: Zach Catanzareti, Staff Writer
If something strange happens to Kevin Harvick, it’s more likely to happen at Dover International Speedway than anywhere else.
Following a dominating performance in Sunday’s Gander Outdoors 400, Harvick had a pit gun malfunction cost himself and the No. 4 Stewart-Haas Racing the lead late in the 404-lapper. Eventually advancing to finish sixth, Harvick was short on words after leading 286 laps.
“You can’t control where the lug nuts fly,” Harvick said.
With similar issues occurring at Dover in 2014 and ’16, Harvick has endured some painful losses on the Monster Mile. And with seven wins for 2018, Harvick is all about the wins during this tight playoffs battle.
“I don’t really care about points, I want to win,” he said. “Our Ford was really fast.”
Overall, it was among the best races for SHR in 2018, with the team running 1-2-3-4 at one point during the day. And after Harvick’s misfortune, teammate Aric Almirola was in prime position to win until late pit strategy turned the tables.
The only positive from the final stage of racing for Harvick occurred on a restart with six laps to go when a multi-car wreck kicked off in front of his Ford. He escaped with an intact racecar.
“We were just lucky there and wound up dodging and weaving and being in the right place,” he said. “I guess that makes up for the bad luck of losing a race with an absolute dominant car.”
Kevin Harvick hits pit road again.
Big issues for the No. 4! pic.twitter.com/mhc4gizc6G
— NASCAR on USA (@NASCARonUSA) October 7, 2018