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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Kevin Harvick wins at Charlotte

Driver secures spot in third round of Chase

Kevin Harvick raises the trophy after winning the Bank of America 500 auto race. (Associated Press)
Jenna Fryer Associated Press

CONCORD, N.C. – Kevin Harvick moved into the third round of NASCAR’s championship race with a victory Saturday night at Charlotte Motor Speedway, where tempers flared after the race and two drivers had to be restrained from fighting Brad Keselowski.

Harvick had to win a two-lap sprint to the finish to grab his third victory of the season, but attention turned quickly to two near-brawls in the garage involving Keselowski. Denny Hamlin was held back by his own crew from going after Keselowski, who appeared to try to wreck Hamlin after the race.

Then Matt Kenseth appeared to jump on Keselowski from behind between two haulers and multiple team members had to pull back Kenseth. Kenseth and Keselowski made contact racing for the lead on a late restart, and Kenseth was livid that Keselowski hit his car after the race.

“There’s no excuse for that. He’s a champion and he’s supposed to know better than that,” Kenseth said.

Keselowski cooled off in his Team Penske hauler before addressing the events. He said Kenseth “swung at my car” during the final caution to cause damage that ruined his race. He also said Hamlin “stopped in front of me and tried to pick a fight.”

“I figured if we’re going to play car wars under yellow and after the race, I’ll join, too,” Keselowski said. “Those guys can dish it out, but they can’t take it. I gave it back to them and now they want to fight.”

It capped a terrible night for three of NASCAR’s biggest stars: Keselowski, six-time and defending champion Jimmie Johnson and Dale Earnhardt Jr. all go into next Sunday’s elimination race at Talladega needing a victory.

Keselowski finished 16th, Johnson was 17th and Earnhardt was 20th – last in the 12-driver Chase field. Earnhardt broke his shifter early in the race and it put him in a deep hole he couldn’t climb from.

The four drivers now in danger of being eliminated next week are Kenseth, Keselowski, Johnson and Earnhardt.