Harvick wins at Richmond; rookies show promise

Kevin Harvick broke a 30-race winless streak in the Nationwide Series
on Friday night at Richmond. Credit: Todd Warshaw/Getty Images

For the second straight week Kevin Harvick was the class of the field, leading the most laps in Nationwide Series competition. Fortunately for the new dad, Harvick’s day at Richmond International Raceway ended in victory lane Friday, snapping a 30-race winless streak. But Harvick’s domination wasn’t the big story of the night.

Championship leader Elliott Sadler found himself one lap down after an accident on Lap 187, but was able to earn the lucky dog on the following caution, finishing the race in 12th. Sadler now leads the points by just one marker over defending series champion Ricky Stenhouse Jr.

Contender Sam Hornish Jr.’s night ended early following a multi-car wreck that brought out the fourth caution on Lap 157, forcing the race under a red flag to aid the cleanup process. Hornish was unable to return to the track and ended a 12-race streak of finishing in the top 10. Although Hornish isn’t completely out of contention for the title, his 50-point deficit will be hard to make up with only eight races left.

Points leader Elliott Sadler hits the wall.
Credit: Jerry Markland/Getty Images for NASCAR

Rookies Johanna Long, Travis Pastrana, Ryan Blaney and Darrell Wallace Jr. were the real stars of the night.

Earning her highest starting position of eighth, Long spent time within the top 5 before a blown tire ended her night early. The former Snowball Derby winner showed she’s got the potential to contend if given the chance with a top-tier team.

Extreme sport veteran Travis Pastrana moved from the No. 99 into the No. 60 Roush-Fenway Ford for Friday night’s race. Starting from the fifth spot, Pastrana was strong in the first half of the race but fell outside of the top 15 as the night progressed. Pastrana’s future is unknown at this point, but he’s aggressively seeking out options for 2013.

Making only his third career Nationwide Series start, Darrell Wallace Jr. made progress through the field, battling Cup Series drivers and Nationwide veterans alike. By the time Lap 234 rolled around, Wallace Jr. had moved into the fifth position, proving that he’s got a bright future ahead. Wallace ended the night in the 10th position just behind Penske Racing’s Ryan Blaney.

The Nationwide Series heads to Chicagoland Speedway next weekend.

Final results:

1. Harvick
2. Stenhouse Jr.
3. Kurt Busch
4. Hamlin
5. Annett
6. Austin Dillon
7. Ty Dillon
8. Nemechek
9. Blaney
10. Wallace Jr.
11. Buescher
12. Sadler
13. Allgaier
14. Whitt
15. Bliss
16. Truex
17. Pastrana
18. Darnell
19. Malsam
20. Sweet
21. Mike Wallace
22. Richardson Jr.
23. Bowles
24. Clements
25. Harraka
26. McClure
27. Stacey
28. Scott
29. Patrick
30. Hornish Jr.
31. Hill
32. Johanna Long
33. Lepage
34. White
35. Berryhill
36. Riggs
37. Koch
38. Carl Long
39. Carter
40. Wise
41. Yeley
42. Miller
43. Green