NASCAR: Winners And Losers From Phoenix

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Nov 13, 2016; Avondale, AZ, USA; Sprint Cup Series driver Kevin Harvick (4) leads driver Matt Kenseth (20) during the Can-Am 500 at Phoenix International Raceway. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports /

Loser: Performing In The Clutch

Kevin Harvick has been impressive in the Chase and impressive at Phoenix over the last few seasons. He entered the day basically needing a win to advance to the Championship 4.

Early on in the race, it was obvious that this wasn’t the same Harvick we had seen at Phoenix in year’s past. He almost immediately began to fall through the field and at one point, he was all the way back in 19th-place.

Towards the end of the race he worked his way back up into the conversation and had a chance at making some noise on the final few restarts but just never could get it done. He went on to finish 4th and suffered from his first elimination under the new Chase format.

Harvick had made it to Homestead each of the past two seasons and his performances at Phoenix had gotten the job done. He had finished first and second in both Phoenix Chase races and had led at least 140 laps in each, but he failed to get out front at all on Sunday.

It’s not all bad for Harvick as he’s still likely considered the best Chase driver under the current format, but it was rough watching him struggle early on at a track that he had dominated so many times in the past few seasons.

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