(Jerry Markland/NASCAR photo)
The result was Harvick’s 23rd runner-up finish since his championship season in 2014, and the Bakersfield, California native was not shy in discussing his pit crew’s troubles after the event.
“It’s just the same old thing, ya know?” Harvick quipped. “You get into position where you have dominant cars and the guys in the shop and the guys in the garage are doing a great job … and again, the guys on pit road are doing a terrible job. When you continually get into position to win races and they continue to step on their toes and don’t make it happen – you’re just not going to win races like that.”
“I’m really proud of the car we brought tonight and the performance on the racetrack, but there only so many excuses for pit road issues. He (Truex) had a good car … but we had control of the race and were absolutely pile-driving them all night. We just gave it away. It’s that simple.”
Michigan winner Kyle Larson led 45 laps late in the going and appeared to be a threat for his second-straight series win, ultimately completing the podium in third ahead of Denny Hamlin and Joey Logano.
Matt Kenseth, Kasey Kahne and Ryan Newman came home in sixth through eighth, respectively. Keselowski was ninth after leading 47 laps early on, with Chase Elliott rounding out the top 10.
Defending Southern 500 champion Carl Edwards was never a factor and finished 19th.
Of note, two-time Southern 500 winner Jimmie Johnson crashed out at lap 214, while Tony Stewart was involved in a mid-race incident with Brian Scott before losing the motor in his car with 50 to go and finishing 35th.
The NASCAR Sprint Cup Series returns to action on Sept. 10 at Richmond International Raceway, the final race before the Chase playoffs begin.
