HAMPTON, Ga. – After another dominant performance on one of his favorite tracks, Kevin Harvick enjoys the past and looks to the future.
He was not entirely focused on what he could do behind the wheel.
Harvick won Sunday’s victory over Kyle Busch and Martin Truex Jr. in the NASCAR Cup race at the Atlanta Motor Speedway, leading the last 55 rounds of the day that began with a series that recognized social unrest in the country.
Before taking the green flag, 40 cars stopped in front of the towering and empty tower in the front to listen to a message from NASCAR president Steve Phelps and observe 30 seconds of silence after George Floyd’s death while in police custody.
Harvick also joined with other drivers in making videos that promised to push for much needed changes in a cracked country.
“Something must change. When you see what’s happening in Minneapolis, it’s just embarrassing for everyone, “he said.” It’s really unbelievable to sit and watch these things happen. Very confusing. It makes you confused and angry. Now we know what we need to do and where to start. “
Harvick won for the second time since NASCAR returned from the closure caused by the coronavirus pandemic, adding to his emotional victory at Darlington in the first race back.
Harvick came to the day after leading 1,138 rounds in the Atlanta trioval 1.54 miles, far more than any other driver in the 40-car field.
This one is more the same. Harvick was in front for 151 rounds – more than twice more than anyone else – and claimed his third victory in Atlanta, where he got his first Cup win in 2001 and another two years ago.
“For me, this place is quite special,” said Harvick, who defeated Busch for more than 3 1/2 seconds, with Truex almost 5 seconds behind. “This brings back lots of memories.”
Kevin HarvickGetty Images
In the reverse victory round, Harvick held three fingers outside his car, a tribute to the late Dale Earnhardt. Harvick was the driver who replaced Earnhardt after the seven-time champion was killed in an accident at Daytona in 2001.
Three weeks later, Harvick took the checkered flag in Atlanta.
“To celebrate the life of Dale Earnhardt and everything he intends for our sport, it is clearly very special to me,” Harvick said.
He now has 51 wins – breaking ties with Ned Jarrett and Junior Johnson for 12th place on the career roster.
“You just shook your head and said, ‘My God, I can’t believe this is happening,'” said Harvick. “It’s very crazy when you think about it. I am very fortunate to drive a car to make a living. “
The seven-time champion Jimmie Johnson Cup, in what might be his last appearance in Atlanta, was given the honor of giving the “start your engine” command to fellow racers. Speedway also changed its name to the stands to honor Johnson, who retired as a full-time competitor at the end of the year.
Five-time winner on a 1.54-mile trioval, Johnson has a strong achievement in Atlanta. But his seventh appearance extends without a win that spans more than three years.
NASCAR returned to Atlanta for the race which was originally scheduled for March 15. This was the first race to be postponed because US sports were largely closed to dealing with a pandemic that has now claimed more than 110,000 American lives.
This time, it was the place where NASCAR entered the debate about the injustices experienced by African-Americans – a striking move for sports that once embraced Confederate symbols and are still struggling to overcome their perception of being a conservative bastion provided largely for white people .
Bubba Wallace, the only African-American in the Cup series, wore a black T-shirt with the words “I Cannot Breathe” and “Black Lives Matter” while standing on the pit road before the race.
Bubba WallaceGetty Images
Wallace finished 21st and looked unconscious after getting out of his car on a sweltering day when temperatures rose to the mid-1980s. He said he was fine and did part of a television interview, but then was unable to speak.
Wallace was taken by ambulance to the field care center, where he sat when he was carried in on a stretcher. He was treated and released a few moments later, although no additional details were given about what caused the problem.
Maybe because it’s hot.
Maybe it’s just emotions being the most vocal sound of the sport since Floyd died while in Minneapolis police custody.
Phelps spoke to the driver through their radio device before they took the green flag.
“Our country is in pain and people are angry, demanding to be heard,” Phelps said. “The black community and all people of color have suffered in our country, and it has taken too long for us to hear their demands for change. Our sport must be better. Our country must do better. “
All 40 crew members stand on the wall in front of their pit boxes. One of the Wallace crew members picked up a T-shirt, which the driver removed before getting into his car.
Floyd’s death has sparked massive protests in 50 states and around the world demanding an end to the brutality of law enforcement against people of color.
Harvick said he was ready to join this struggle.
“There are things we can do to try to help our community, help the conversation,” he said. “We need to change.”
