He was happy when he one this race a year ago and was happy this time around defending his August win.
Kevin Harvick has won the Consumers Energy 400 at Michigan International Speedway for the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series. The 4 Mobil 1 Ford Mustang for Stewart Haas Racing led 22 laps and passed Joey Logano to clinch his second win of the season, his third at Michigan, and his 47th cup series victory of his career.
His teammate Daniel Suárez came to the front late finishing fifth in the 41 Arris Ford Mustang. The other two were not fortunate however as both were involved in wrecks. Aric Almirola was involved in a wreck with both Richard Childress Racing driver’s Austin Dillon and Daniel Hemric during the end of stage two. The 10 3D System Ford finished 33rd. Clint Bowyer in the 14 Cure-Colorado State University Ford made contact with Paul Menard late forcing Bowyer to finish 37th.
Joe Gibbs Racing had a solid afternoon. Denny Hamlin finished second in the 11 FedEx Office Toyota, leading six laps. Martin Truex Jr would not disappoint in the 500th career start as he would fight all the way from the rear due to failing inspection early on. The 19 Auto Owners Toyota led 43 laps, won stage one, and finished fourth. Kyle Busch rallied to finish sixth in the 18 Interstate Batteries Toyota leading three laps and would win stage two. Erik Jones finished 18th in the 20 DeWalt Toyota.
Team Penske looked like they were the team to beat at Michigan, but fuel mileage came into play late. Joey Logano who won back in June led 52 laps in the 22 Shell/Pennzoil Ford, but had to pit with three to go. Logano finished 17th. Brad Keselowski had a weekend as he would win the Busch pole, save his 2 Discount Tire Ford from hitting the wall after blowing a tire in what seemed to be 180 miles per hour, led a rice high 66 laps, but just like his teammate Logano, would have to stop for fuel at the end. Keselowski finished 19th. Ryan Blaney would also be fighting upfront all day leading three laps, but the 12 Moen/Menards Ford would finish 24th.
Kyle Larson finished third in the 42 McDonald’s Chevrolet Camaro for Chip Ganassi Racing. His teammate, Kurt Busch, led five laps in the 1 Monster Energy Chevy, finishing 23rd having fuel issues as well.
Ryan Preece probably had one of his best finishes of the season. The 47 Kroger Chevrolet Camaro for JTG- Daugherty Racing finished seventh. His teammate Chris Buescher finished 14th in the 37 Kroger Fast Start Chevrolet Camaro.
The next race is the Bass Pro Shops/NRA Night Race at Bristol Motor Speedway in which we will see if Kurt Busch can defend his night race win of last season.
CONSUMERS ENERGY 400 RESULTS:
1. Kevin Harvick 4 Mobil 1 Ford Mustang Stewart-Haas Racing
2. Denny Hamlin 11 FedEx Office Toyota Camry Joe Gibbs Racing
3. Kyle Larson 42 McDonald’s Chevrolet Camaro Chip Ganassi Racing
4. Martin Truex Jr. 19 Auto-Owners Insurance Toyota Camry Joe Gibbs Racing
5. Daniel Suárez 41 ARRIS Ford Mustang Stewart-Haas Racing
6. Kyle Busch 18 Interstate Batteries Toyota Camry Joe Gibbs Racing
7. Ryan Preece (R) 47 Kroger Chevrolet Camaro JTG-Daugherty Racing
8. William Byron 24 Liberty University Chevrolet Camaro Hendrick Motorsports
9. Chase Elliott 9 NAPA Auto Parts Chevrolet Camaro Hendrick Motorsports
10. Alex Bowman 88 Axalta Chevrolet Camaro Hendrick Motorsports
11. Ty Dillon 13 K&L Ready Mix Chevrolet Camaro Germain Racing
12. Ryan Newman 6 Wyndham Rewards Ford Mustang GT Roush-Fenway Racing
13. Austin Dillon 3 Chevrolet Accessories Chevrolet Camaro Richard Childress Racing
14. Chris Buescher 37 Kroger Fast Start Chevrolet Camaro JTG-Daugherty Racing
15. Paul Menard 21 MasterTechs/Quick Lane Tire & Auto Center Ford Mustang Wood Brothers Racing
16. David Ragan 38 MDS Ford Mustang Front Row Motorsports
17. Joey Logano 22 Shell/Pennzoil Ford Mustang Team Penske
18. Erik Jones 20 DeWalt Toyota Camry Joe Gibbs Racing
19. Brad Keselowski 2 Discount Tire Ford Mustang Team Penske
20. Matt DiBenedetto 95 Toyota Express Maintenance Toyota Camry Leavine Family Racing
21. Corey LaJoie 32 Schluter Systems Ford Mustang Go Fas Racing
22. Michael McDowell 34 Long John Silver’s Ford Mustang Front Row Motorsports
23. Kurt Busch 1 Monster Energy Chevrolet Camaro Chip Ganassi Racing
24. Ryan Blaney 12 Moen/Menards Ford Mustang Team Penske
25. Matt Tifft (R) 36 Meijer Ford Mustang Front Row Motorsports
26. Daniel Hemric (R) 8 Bass Pro Shops/Tracker Boats Chevrolet Camaro Richard Childress Racing
27. Bubba Wallace 43 Victory Junction Chevrolet Camaro Richard Petty Motorsports
28. Ricky Stenhouse Jr. 17 Fastenal Ford Mustang Roush-Fenway Racing
29. Ross Chastain (R) 15 Chevrolet Camaro Premium Motorsports
30. Landon Cassill 00 StarCom Fiber/Creek Enterprise Incorporated Chevrolet Camaro StarCom Racing
31. Quin Houff (R) 27 Chevrolet Camaro Premium Motorsports
32. Austin Theriault 52 Bangor Bank Ford Mustang Rick Ware Racing
33. Aric Almirola 10 3D Systems Ford Mustang Stewart-Haas Racing
34. Jimmie Johnson 48 Ally Chevrolet Camaro Hendrick Motorsports
35. Garrett Smithley (R) 77 Victory Lane Quick Oil Change/Kendall Chevrolet Camaro Spire Motorsports
36. Cody Ware 51 Jacob Companies Ford Mustang Rick Ware Racing
37. Clint Bowyer 14 One Cure/Colorado State University Rams Ford Mustang Stewart-Haas Racing
38. Spencer Boyd (R) 53 Chelle Transportation Ford Mustang Rick Ware Racing
Ian O’Brien is a Contributor for the Unwrapped Sports Network website. Follow him @Ianthekicker41 on Twitter.