Tough Day In Texas For Harvick

Harvick struggled with handling issues throughout much of the day, but crew chief Todd Berrier and the Shell-Pennzoil crew worked hard to adjust the car. The Shell-Pennzoil driver finished the 334-lap race in the 27th position after falling three laps down to the leaders.

Starting from the 17th position, it became apparent early that Harvick and the No. 29 team were looking at a long day. By the seventh circuit, the two-time Nationwide Series champion was reporting to his crew that the No. 29 Shell-Pennzoil Chevy was way too loose.

With the track remaining under green-flag conditions it wasn't until lap 52 that Harvick was able to come to pit road for adjustments during a green-flag pit cycle. The Shell-Pennzoil crew went to work on Harvick's car giving him adjustments, fuel and tires before sending him back out to the track. By the time the pit cycle was complete, the Bakersfield, California native was posted in the 32nd position one lap down to the leaders.

Harvick continued to fight handling problems before returning to pit road when the first caution flag waved on lap 96. The Shell-Pennzoil crew gave their driver a wedge adjustment along with tires and fuel. Harvick returned to the race track for the restart on lap 102 in the 28th position.

Handling issues plagued the Shell-Pennzoil driver through the next green-flag run. Harvick returned to pit road again on lap 153 under the green. While exiting the pit lane, the 33-year-old was caught speeding and needed to return to pit road for a pass-through penalty.

However the caution flag waved on lap 156 allowing Harvick to come back in for more service and restart at the tail end of the longest line for his penalty. When Harvick took the green flag for the restart he was now posted in the 36th position, two laps down to the leaders.

It was when the caution waved on lap 220 that Harvick reported to crew chief Todd Berrier that the adjustments were getting the car closer but he was still fighting handling. With more adjustments from his Shell-Pennzoil crew, Harvick took the green flag in the 31st position, now three laps down.

The next several runs saw the No. 29 crew continue to work on Harvick's Chevrolet as much as they could. Harvick remained around the 30th spot in the final 100 laps of the race before moving into the 27th position with less than 40 laps to go. The Shell-Pennzoil driver took the checkered flag running 27th, three laps down to the leaders.

"We fought the handling on the Shell-Pennzoil Chevrolet Impala SS all day," commented Harvick. "Our No. 29 crew was stout in the pits and Todd (Berrier) made changes in order to get the car more balanced as the race went on, but we just missed the setup. We'll enjoy this off weekend coming up and be ready for Phoenix."

Harvick's finish dropped him four positions in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series point standings. He now sits in the 14th spot.

Jeff Gordon won the Samsung 500 with Jimmie Johnson finishing second. Greg Biffle, Tony Stewart and Matt Kenseth rounded out the top-five.

The NASCAR Sprint Cup Series will take a week off before returning to action for the running of the Subway Fresh Fit 500 at Phoenix International Raceway in Avondale, Arizona. Live television coverage begins on Saturday, April 18, 2009 at 8:00 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time (EDT) on FOX.  The event will also be broadcast live on MRN (Motor Racing Network) and Sirius Satellite Radio with coverage beginning at 7:45 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time (EDT).