Fighting Handling Problems

Kevin Harvick and the Shell-Pennzoil team fought through handling problems to finish 12th in the AAA 400 at Dover International Speedway. After many adjustments and solid pit stops throughout the day, the No. 29 Chevrolet came around in the closing stages of the race allowing Harvick to knock on the door of the top-10. Harvick's finish moved him up one position in the point standings where he now sits in the 21st spot.

Starting from the 20th position in a brand new car Harvick quickly began to pick off positions moving into the 16th spot before 10 laps were in the books. The Shell-Pennzoil driver reported that he was tight off the corner but wanted to wait and see how the changing track conditions would affect the cars handling.

The competition yellow was brought out on lap 26 with Harvick running in the 14th position. The Bakersfield, California native brought the No. 29 RCR Chevrolet down to the attention of his crew and received four new Goodyear tires along with a chassis adjustment. With a 14.2-second stop Harvick returned to the track for the restart pleased and ready to take the green flag in the 15th spot.

It was on lap 32 that a terrible crash involving four cars happened in turn four bringing out the red flag. After the track was cleared and debris cleaned up the field was set to take the green flag again almost 30 minutes after the crash.
The 2009 Budweiser Shootout winner found himself mired in traffic on the restart and dropped back to the 18th position.

A few laps later Harvick told his crew chief Gil Martin that the changes from the previous stop didn't help and made the Shell-Pennzoil Chevrolet handle a little tighter. After regaining a few positions, Harvick returned to pit road on lap 87 under the caution where he received service and returned to the track in the 18th spot.

Handling issues continued for the two-time Nationwide Series Champion as the race approached the half-way point.  However the Shell-Pennzoil driver was able to gain several spots and move back into the top-15 by the time lap 201 was in the record books.

By lap 212, Harvick found his way into the 13th position where he remained until the Shell-Pennzoil Chevrolet began to get loose in the turns and he lost several positions. Lap 273 brought out another caution and a chance the 33-year-old to return to pit road for service along with additional adjustments. After a 14.8-second stop, Harvick returned to the track in the 16th spot for the restart.

Once again Harvick reported the car was handling "tight, tight, tight" but the Shell-Pennzoil driver was able to gain positions and moved into the 14th spot by lap 329. Lap 344 saw the California native return to pit road for four tires, fuel and adjustments under the caution. As soon as the green flag waved Harvick picked off yet another position moving into the 13th spot on lap 356.

A final trip to pit road came on lap 375 with the Shell-Pennzoil driver knocking on the door for the top-10 in the closing laps. Harvick took the checkered flag in the 12th position.

Jimmie Johnson scored his fourth win of the season in the AAA 400. Mark Martin finished second with Matt Kenseth coming in third. Juan Pablo Montoya and Kurt Busch rounded out the top-five.

Flag-to-flag coverage of the Price Chopper 400 presented by Kraft Foods at Kansas Speedway will take the green flag Sunday, October 4 beginning at 1 p.m. (EDT) on ABC.  The race will also be broadcast on the Motor Racing Network and Sirius Satellite Radio beginning at 1:15 p.m. (EDT).