DARLINGTON, S.C. — Another race, another win for Kevin Harvick. Again at Darlington Raceway, and this time to open the playoffs and his march toward the NASCAR championship.
Only difference? Harvick didn’t dominate the Southern 500 in his series-best eighth victory of the season. The regular-season champion and top seed in the playoffs inherited the lead Sunday night when Martin Truex Jr. and Chase Elliott bumped, then brushed the wall as they raced for the victory.
Elliott dropped off the pace, and Harvick passed him for second. Truex — who led a race-high 196 laps — had to pit for repairs on his damaged car, and Harvick was suddenly out front.