Needing a victory to advance, Harvick dominates at Dover
DOVER, Del. — Kevin Harvick dominated a race he had to win to advance to the second round of NASCAR’s playoffs, while six-time champion Jimmie Johnson was eliminated from the field.
Harvick led 354 laps Sunday at Dover International Speedway and earned the third automatic berth in the 12-driver Chase for the Sprint Cup championship field. Harvick was mired in 15th in the standings and had to win to keep his title defense alive.
“Never quit. That’s why right here, guys,” Harvick said over the radio as he took the checkered flag.
Johnson entered fifth in the standings and, with 10 career wins at Dover, seemed a lock to advance. His No. 48 Chevrolet was forced off the track for 36 laps with a torn rear axle seal and he plummeted in the standings.
Jamie McMurray, Paul Menard and Clint Bowyer also were eliminated as the Chase field was sliced from 16 to 12. Dale Earnhardt Jr. tied with McMurray in points and earned the final spot on a tiebreaker.
Four more drivers will be eliminated in the next three-race segment that starts next week at Charlotte Motor Speedway.
In other motor sports news:
• Antron Brown remained perfect in the first three Countdown to the Championship events, winning the NHRA Keystone Nationals at Mohton, Pa.
Brown had a 3.717-second pass at 328.46 mph in his Top Fuel dragster to beat teammate Tony Schumacher.
With a 12-0 round record, Brown broke the Chase-opening mark of 12-0 set by Funny Car driver in 2009. Brown, the 2012 season champion, Schumacher by 94 points with three events left.