Multi-Car Accident Relegates Kevin Harvick to a 42nd-Place Finish in the Daytona 500

NASCAR Sprint Cup Series – Daytona 500
February 24, 2013, Daytona International Raceway

Kevin Harvick and the No. 29 Budweiser Chevrolet SS team lined up third for the 55th-running of the Daytona 500 and looked to collect their third victory during Budweiser Speedweeks, but instead brought home a disappointing 42nd-place result. Harvick maintained a running position within the top 10 during the early laps of the “Great American Race”, until his red and white machine was collected in a multi-car accident on lap 33. Suffering severe damage from the incident, the No. 29 Richard Childress Racing team went to the garage to make repairs to the wrecked Chevrolet SS. The Bakersfield, Calif., native returned to the track on lap 127 and immediately reported the car wasn’t handling properly and pulled down pit road for additional repairs. Harvick returned to the racing surface again and completed enough laps to collect a 42nd-place finishing position in the 200-lap affair.

I let off a little bit to miss the wreck. It looked like the No. 18 (Kyle Busch) hooked the No. 5 (Kasey Kahne) and that kind of just started a chain reaction. I don’t know who was behind me, but it’s just one of those deals. The Budweiser crew worked really hard to get me back on track and gain a little ground, so I’ve got to thank them for all of their efforts today. – Kevin Harvick

Race Notes

• Started – 3rd, Finished – 42nd,  Laps led – 0, Points – 38
• Harvick had the Fastest Speed in Traffic (196.270 mph).
• The No. 29 Chevrolet team ranks 42nd in the Sprint Cup Series owner championship point standings
• According to NASCAR’s Loop Data Statistics, the RCR entries combined posted the Fastest Lap of the Race for 14 circuits with Harvick having two.