Kevin Harvick earned another $1 million payday Saturday night, winning the Nextel All-Star Challenge in Concord, N.C., after Matt Kenseth got caught speeding and brothers Kurt and Kyle Busch took each other out of contention with a wreck.
That made Jimmie Johnson, a two-time All-Star race winner, the last driver with whom Harvick had to contend.
But Johnson barely mounted a challenge, staying in line behind Harvick until the final lap at Lowe’s Motor Speedway. Johnson made one attempt at a pass, but Harvick blocked it, then drove off to his second win of the season.
Harvick’s other victory also was a jackpot – he earned $1.5 million for winning the season-opening Daytona 500.
“To win a Daytona 500 and the All-Star race, that’s pretty cool,” Harvick said. “I know I am not the biggest fan of the All-Star race, but I guess I have a million reasons to be now.”
Harvick, who was second to Johnson last season, scored his first All-Star victory in seven tries and gave car owner Richard Childress his first win in the non-points event since Dale Earnhardt in 1993.
“Always, this has been one of my favorite races,” Childress said. “It brings back Saturday night racing like it used to be.”
Mark Martin finished third and was followed in order by Jeff Burton, Tony Stewart, Johnny Sauter and Kenseth. Ryan Newman, Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Martin Truex Jr. rounded out the top 10.
Kenseth had the field covered, leading 37 laps and winning the first and third segments. But he was flagged for speeding off pit road as he tried to beat Jeff Gordon out after the last stop.
“I got so busy with those other cars, I looked down and I was 200 (RPM) over,” Kenseth said.
Cross off Hendrick Motorsports from the list of teams interested in signing Dale Earnhardt Jr.
Although he has spoken to Earnhardt, car owner Rick Hendrick said “there’s no room at the inn” for NASCAR’s most popular driver.
“We’re good friends and I’ve talked to him, because I really want him to make the best decision and do the best thing for himself,” Hendrick said. “But right now, I’m full.”
Hendrick fields Cup cars for four-time series champion Gordon, defending Nextel Cup champion Johnson, Kyle Busch and Casey Mears.
All are under contract through at least 2008.
Nextel Cup/glance
What you might have missed: The All-Star race is usually good for some drama, and it came 18 laps from the finish when brothers Kurt and Kyle Busch wrecked each other. Kyle Busch, who led 23 laps over the first three segments, was trying to pass his older brother on the outside when Kurt Busch’s car drifted and the two made contact. “I was waiting for the day when we got together, and we did, and we were racing for a million bucks,” Kurt Busch said. “That was a bummer, to have my little brother pull that move on me.”
Back on track: Next Sunday, Coca-Cola 600, Lowe’s Motor Speedway, Fox, 3 p.m. MDT
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