Kevin Harvick’s dominant march from the rear met an early — and surprising — end Sunday night during the Coca-Cola 600. The driver of the No. 4 Stewart-Haas Racing Ford appeared to blow a right front tire on Lap 83 while running fourth, which sent him careening into the outside wall and sending sparks flying into the evening air.
Harvick’s car did not pass pre-qualifying inspection on Thursday night, forcing him to start last Sunday in the longest race of the year. It took fewer than 70 laps for him to work his way into the top five. He was running fifth at the time of the incident, which relegated his car to the garage and out of the race.
“This was going to be fun,” Harvick radioed dejectedly to his team.
The incident may have been the first thing to go wrong for Harvick all year. The No. 4 team won five of the first 12 races to start the year, and was considered a favorite to win Sunday night on Memorial Day weekend despite starting from the rear.
Harvick entered the race on a two-race win streak, and he already had won three consecutive races earlier this year.
“It never gave any warning,” Harvick told FOX Sports. ” … We had a lot of issues this weekend and to come back and have the fastest car there basically, it was just an honor to drive. One of those deals. You have to take the good with the bad, and this weekend was part of the bad.”