Kevin Harvick admits he deserved the early playoff exit, brands the day as ‘the worst one I’ve had with fenders on it’
Former champions Kevin Harvick and Joey Logano were eliminated in playoff R-16.
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Kevin Harvick (Via IMAGO)
The 2014 NASCAR Cup Series champion, Kevin Harvick, was the only hope for Tony Stewart’s SHR to secure a good finish to the championship coming into this year’s playoffs. Their post-season ended at the same time as it did last season, as the veteran failed to score the finish required to secure promotion.
He finished the Bristol R-16 finale with a four-point deficit to Bubba Wallace, who had a solid day and luck on his side. While the 23XI Racing driver made it to the next round with his Toyota teammate Martin Truex Jr., defending champion Joey Logano, Daytona 500 winner Ricky Stenhouse Jr., and Indy Road Course race winner Michael McDowell were eliminated.
Harvick ended the race five laps down at P29, and it was surprising to see him label the day as one of his worst ever. He is set to retire at the end of the season, and the R-16 exit isn’t the farewell he served or the fans wanted. At the same time, Stewart Hass Racing has been mediocre the whole season, and their failure to field fast cars is the reason for the legendary drivers’ woes.
“We’ve been like that all year. We’ve been hit or miss. Tonight we just missed by a mile. I’ve had some good days and bad days, but that’s definitely the worst one I’ve had with fenders on it.I didn’t really have many expectations with as up and down as the year has been. It is what it is. It’s probably about what we deserve,” Harvick said, as reported by Motorsports.com.
In case you missed it: WATCH: Kevin Harvick has a wholesome dad-daughter moment, gives ‘start your engines’ command for Bristol Xfinity race with Piper
Ford is the most affected manufacturer in the R-16
The 2023 season has been a nightmare for Ford teams, and other than RFK Racing, none of the Ford sides were able to produce convincing runs with consistency. Coming into the first playoff round, they had six drivers in the chase for the title, including two former champions.
After Bristol, the number was cut down to half. Other than Stenhouse Jr, all three drivers eliminated were from the Ford camp. Their expectations now lie with RFK’s Brad Keselowski and Chris Buescher, along with Team Penske Racing’s Ryan Blaney.
The season potentially has changed the power dynamic in the Ford Camps. Penske teams’ poor run might have given RFK the status similar to the champion team and an equally powerful voice for the 2024 season. SHR are the big losers as they are no longer the second-best team within the camp, and Front Raw Motorsports is already threatening their No.3 spot.
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Justin P Joy
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