Kevin Harvick made a little NASCAR history Saturday.
Harvick won the VFW 200 truck series race and in the process became the first driver to win in all three of NASCAR’s national series (Sprint Cup, Nationwide and truck) at Michigan International Speedway in Brooklyn.
“This has always been a fun racetrack for us, but honestly, as a program, we’ve had some struggles here over the years,” Harvick said.
Red Horse Racing teammates Timothy Peters (second) and Miguel Paludo (third) finished behind Harvick.
AMBROSE WINS
Circuit Gilles Villeneuve owed Marcos Ambrose a victory and finally paid up.
The Australian had led more laps than any other driver in the first four editions of Montreal’s NASCAR Nationwide event and he finally cashed in, taking the lead on a restart with nine laps to go and holding off crowd favorite Alex Tagliani to take the checkered flag in the NAPA Auto Parts 200.
Ambrose had started at the back because he missed the pre-race drivers meeting for the NASCAR Nationwide event. Then he survived a collision with 1997 Formula One champion Jacques Villeneuve halfway through the race that knocked him back to 28th place.
“I kept my head down, stayed calm, ticked off some good laps and made some aggressive passes,” Ambrose said. “It’s been a great day. I feel like I passed 400 cars out there. I finally got to the front when it counted. I’ve come close here. I’ve led more laps than anyone, but today I was able to close the deal.”
Tagliani crossed 1.112 seconds back and Michael McDowell was third. Danica Patrick finished 24th in her first NASCAR road race.
NASCAR announced after the race that the right rear spring on Ambrose’s car would be examined Tuesday. A spokesman didn’t say what officials were looking for but said the victory would not be taken away regardless of what is found.
Ambrose, Carl Edwards, and Trevor Bayne made it to the race about 25 minutes before the start from the Sprint Cup event in Michigan. They arrived on Edward’s jet, helicoptered to the track and took a boat along the Olympic rowing basin beside the track to the garages.
“It’s been an incredible day and I have to thank Carl for letting me piggyback on his plans,” Ambrose said.
ELSEWHERE
Del Worsham raced to the No. 1 qualifying position in Top Fuel at the Lucas Oil NHRA Nationals in Brainerd, Minn., powering his dragster for a 3.808-second run at 322.04 mph. Matt Hagan (Funny Car), Jason Line (Pro Stock) and Eddie Krawiec (Pro Stock Motorcycle) also topped their categories. … Alex Gurney and Jon Fogarty co-drove to their second Grand-Am Rolex Series win of the season at the Montreal 200.
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