By John Schutt –
NASCAR Monster Energy All-Star Race, Charlotte Motor Speedway, Concord, N.C., Saturday, May 19.
Kevin Harvick won the $1 Million purse against the 21-car field of previous race winners in the All-Star race! The new rules package was all the buzz with restrictor plates and an aerodynamics package being added to even out the racing field. With these changes, Kevin Havick’s Ford came out on top in this four-stage race. Following Harvick in second place was Daniel Suarez, Joey Logano in third, Denny Hamlin in fourth, and Chase Elliot in fifth place.
Four Fords started in the front with the semi-retired Matt Kenseth taking the pole in the No. 6 Rouch Fenway Ford. Kenseth was allowed to race because he won two races in Phoenix in 2017.
Harvick won the first phase and Kyle Busch won the second phase.
The third phase was eventful when front-runner Martin Truex, Jr. caused a caution on lap nine of the 20-lap segment. The second wreck in overtime involved Truex Jr., Kyle Busch, Brad Keselowski, and Kenseth.
Harvick won the third stage by passing Kyle Larson.
The final restart with Suarez in the lead and Harvick back a few places, Harvick navigated past the field to get past Suarez in the end for the Million Dollar prize.
Harvick won this race 11 years ago.
Nascar, Monster Energy, KC Masterpiece 400, Kansas Speedway, Kansas City, Kan., Saturday, May 12.
Saturday Night under the Lights Harvick won the pole position. Larson led the most laps of the race, but that couldn’t stop Harvick from winning the event. Following Harvick was Truex, Jr. in second place, Logano in third, Larson in fourth, and Hamlin in fifth.
The race included 237 laps without a caution until it was 30 laps and under and three cautions were issued. With 14 laps to go a major wreck took out seven cars including race leader Larson, Kenseth, and William Byron,.
In the final lap of the race Harvick, in his Sterwart Hass Ford, took the lead from Truex, Jr. and crossed the finish line .390 seconds in the lead.
