Talladega, AL, United States (AHN) – Two Richard Childress Racing Chevrolets were out front under the white flag when the caution flew, but it took NASCAR several minutes later to decide the winner via timing and video tapes.

Clint Bowyer did celebratory burnouts and he and Kevin Harvick shook hands while still in their cars and even before the victor had been determined.

Finally, after several views had been looked at, Bowyer was determined the winner of Sunday’s NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Amp Engery Juice 500 race at Talladega Superspeedway while Harvick was awarded runner-up, just ahead of Juan Montoya.

“It was just an unbelieveable day,” said Bowyer. “Kevin coming on the outside and Juan pushing me. I’m just so happy to everybody. It feels awesome.”

While Bowyer became the first two-time winner of The Chase this season — winning at New Hampshire also — Harvick drew within 34 points of points leader Jimmie Johnson, who finished eighth and one spot behind Denny Hamlin.

“I didn’t know when the caution came out, but I thought I had beaten him to the line,” said Harvick. “It was just going to be a drag race to the win. We did what we needed to do. We kept it 1 and 2 and in house.”

Harvick scored his second top-2 finish in as many races this seasons at Talladega, while Bowyer, who was penalized 150 points after failing inspection in the first race of The Chase, was left wondering “what if?’

David Reutimann, who pushed Harvick all day, finished fourth and Joey Logano closed out the top-five finishers.

Eight of the 12 Chasers appeared to finish in the top-20 on the day, while Kyle and Kurt Busch, Tony Stewart and Jeff Burton struggled.

“I like it now that the championship is going to be decided at three tracks where the drivers have some control,” said Hamlin, who rallied from a lap down. “We’d like to been up there a little bit further, but we’re going to be OK.”

View full post on All Stories