CONCORD, N.C. -- Kevin Harvick is right where he usually is when the Coca-Cola 600 rolls around on the schedule: On top and seeking even more success.
The defending Sprint Cup champion leads the points race heading into NASCAR's longest event at Charlotte Motor Speedway on Sunday night. He has won twice, marking the fourth time in the past five seasons Harvick will enter June with multiple victories. He is seeking his third Coca-Cola 600 victory since 2011.
NASCAR SPRINT CUP
Coca-Cola 600 lineup
After Thursday qualifying; race Sunday At Charlotte Motor Speedway, Concord, N.C. Lap length: 1.5 miles
POS. (NO.) DRIVER MAKE MPH
1.(20) Matt Kenseth Toyota 194.252.
2.(22) Joey Logano Ford 192.836.
3.(19) Carl Edwards Toyota 192.733.
4.(16) Greg Biffle Ford 192.226.
5.(11) Denny Hamlin Toyota 192.007.
6.(2) Brad Keselowski Ford 191.884.
7.(55) David Ragan Toyota 191.625.
8.(4) Kevin Harvick Chevrolet 191.272.
9.(42) Kyle Larson Chevrolet 191.266.
10.(78) Martin Truex Jr. Chevrolet 190.322.
11.(3) Austin Dillon Chevrolet 189.833.
12.(14) Tony Stewart Chevrolet 185.414.
13.(48) Jimmie Johnson Chevrolet 191.727.
14.(41) Kurt Busch Chevrolet 191.714.
15.(88) Dale Earnhardt Jr. Chevrolet 191.686.
16.(21) Ryan Blaney Ford 191.666.
17.(18) Kyle Busch Toyota 191.428.
18.(24) Jeff Gordon Chevrolet 191.354.
19.(31) Ryan Newman Chevrolet 191.15.
20.(10) Danica Patrick Chevrolet 190.954.
21.(43) Aric Almirola Ford 190.826.
22.(1) Jamie McMurray Chevrolet 190.597.
23.(27) Paul Menard Chevrolet 189.98.
24.(15) Clint Bowyer Toyota 183.711.
25.(95) Michael McDowell Ford 190.806.
26.(9) Sam Hornish Jr. Ford 190.779.
27.(6) Trevor Bayne Ford 190.597.
28.(25) Chase Elliott Chevrolet 190.375.
29.(17) Ricky Stenhouse Jr. Ford 190.181.
30.(47) AJ Allmendinger Chevrolet 189.947.
31.(7) Alex Bowman Chevrolet 189.88.
32.(40) Landon Cassill Chevrolet 189.847.
33.(5) Kasey Kahne Chevrolet 189.673.
34.(13) Casey Mears Chevrolet 189.288.
35.(51) Justin Allgaier Chevrolet 189.221.
36.(46) Michael Annett Chevrolet 189.049.
37.(35) Cole Whitt Ford Owner Pts.
38.(98) Josh Wise Ford Owner Pts.
39.(38) David Gilliland Ford Owner Pts.
40.(34) Brett Moffitt Ford Owner Pts.
41.(23) J.J. Yeley Toyota Owner Pts.
42.(83) Matt DiBenedetto Toyota Owner Pts.
43.(33) Alex Kennedy Chevrolet Owner Pts.
FAILED TO QUALIFY
44.(26) Jeb Burton Toyota 188.291.
45.(32) Mike Bliss Ford 186.89.
46.(39) Travis Kvapil Chevrolet 186.31.
47.(30) Jeff Green Chevrolet 184.068.
48.(62) Brendan Gaughan Chevrolet 181.165.
Harvick said early victories end concerns about qualifying for the NASCAR's 10-race playoffs and give teams the chance to find that extra push they'll need for a championship run.
"It's definitely better to win early," Harvick said Thursday. "There's not a lot of pressure on your race team with what you need to do or how you need to do things. It's really about finding more speed, winning more races."
Harvick already has plenty of speed. He has finished first or second in eight of 11 races this season. Harvick has had just one run worse than eighth, when got caught up in a mid-race accident at Bristol Motor Speedway and finished 38th.
Such early dominance is typical of Harvick. He won three races in 2011 in the season's first three months, then two apiece in 2013 and 2015.
Harvick showed his power last Saturday night at the All-Star race, going from last at the start of final 10-lap segment to second. Harvick could not get past winner Denny Hamlin, but he said his Stewart-Haas Racing team picked up critical knowledge that can lead to success Sunday night.
Then again, Harvick knows several ways to win at the mile-and-a-half layout.
He looked destined for second place here in 2011 with Dale Earnhardt Jr. well in front and cruising on the white-flag lap. But Earnhardt ran out of fuel and Harvick swept past for the victory.
Two years later, Harvick outraced Kasey Kahne on a restart with 11 laps left for his second Coca-Cola 600 -- a race perhaps best remembered for the stoppage caused when a TV support cable snapped during the event.
Harvick was second behind Jimmie Johnson at the 600 a year ago. In the fall, Harvick made amends with a victory at Charlotte on the way to his first-ever Sprint Cup championship.
Johnson, who has won three times including the last points race at Kansas two weeks ago, figures to be near the top battling with Harvick on Sunday night.
Johnson said the race's length suits him since he and longtime crew chief Chad Knaus are adept at making midrace adjustments and finding missing power.
"I do a nice job searching for lines" at Charlotte, Johnson said. "I think we'll have a strong night."
Harvick is enjoying the perks of his championship this weekend, getting a ballot in Wednesday's NASCAR Hall of Fame voting that elected Speedway Motorsports Inc. visionary Bruton Smith among five new members. Harvick said he can't wait for the fiery Smith's acceptance speech.
"That's going to be the most entertaining part," he said with a grin.
Harvick said he is glad he and the crew gave his team a cushion to prep for the championship Chase. With crew chief Rodney Childers at the helm, Harvick is confident he will be right there at the end -- both in Charlotte and in the championship run.
"It worked well for us last year," Harvick said. "And I think my guy's pretty dangerous, the more time you give him to think and do that in a relaxed atmosphere, it really lets him shine."
Sports on 05/22/2015