Following Kentucky, Stewart-Haas Racing’s Kevin Harvick has a firm grasp on the NASCAR Cup Series driver standings lead, up 88 points on second place Brad Keselowski. Now the California native looks to Texas Motor Speedway this weekend to not only get his fifth win of the season but make it two in a row in the Lone Star state; as he won from the pole in last season’s Playoff race.
Only three NASCAR Cup Series drivers have posted consecutive wins at Texas Motor Speedway – Jimmie Johnson (2014 Playoff race and 2015 sweep), Carl Edwards (2008 sweep) and Denny Hamlin (2010 sweep). This weekend Harvick has the opportunity to become the fourth. In 34 series starts (series-most) at Texas he has posted two poles, three wins, 11 top fives and 22 top 10s (tied with Jimmie Johnson for series-most). Despite all the success, Harvick will have his work cut for him on Sunday, as all three of his previous victories have come in the Playoff races at Texas (2017, 2018, 2019). He finished eighth in the March Texas race last season.
Harvick’s consistent success is what has set him apart from the competition this season. In 17 starts this year, he has collected four wins (a winning percentage of 23.5%), 10 top fives (series-most) and 14 top 10s (series-most).
This weekend’s race will also mark Kevin Harvick’s 700th career start in the NASCAR Cup Series. He is also closing in on a career laps led milestone (14,685) as well; he needs just 315 more laps led to eclipse 15,000 laps led in the NASCAR Cup Series.
