Newman Runs Seventh for Kevin Harvick Inc in Nationwide Series

CONCORD, N.C. — Ryan Newman returned to the wheel of the No. 33 Kevin Harvick Inc. (KHI) Hungry-Man Chevrolet for 200 laps of action under the lights at Lowe’s (N.C.) Motor Speedway on Friday night. Starting the Dollar General 300 from the 15th position, Newman ran most of the night solidly in the top 15 before crossing the finish line in the seventh position. The finish marked Newman’s third top-10 finish in four NASCAR Nationwide Series starts this season for KHI.

“I have to thank these guys for giving me the opportunity to drive this car,” said Newman following the race. “We struggled a little in practice, but the guys made adjustments and gave me a good car for the race. This is one of my favorite tracks and it was a lot of fun.”

Starting the race from the 15th spot, Newman began making his way to the front, taking over the 10th position on lap 21. Fighting a tight-handling car, Newman was scored in the 11th position when the team made the call on lap 57 for the first scheduled stop of the evening. Pitting under green-flag conditions, Newman took on four fresh tires with an air-pressure adjustment and fuel. Returning to the track, Newman was in the 23rd position, one lap down to the leaders. Several laps later the caution flag waved, allowing Newman to receive the wave around to put the No. 33 Hungry-Man Chevrolet back on the lead lap.

The race restarted on lap 67 with Newman in the 23rd position. Two laps later, with Newman running 18th, the caution was again waved for a multi-car accident in turn two. Taking action to avoid the wreck, Newman quickly moved down to the apron of the track. Following the incident, the team brought Newman down pit road to check the valances and fenders, but after inspection of the car determined there was no damage. The race again restarted on lap 77 with Newman in the 15th spot

With a mission to get to the front and knowing rain was in the area, Newman was able to move back into the top 10 on lap 81. Still fighting a tight-handling car, Newman again made a scheduled green-flag pit stop on lap 135. Entering pit road from the third position, Newman took on four fresh tires, fuel and adjustments to help with the car’s handling. Once the green-flag stops cycled through the field, Newman was scored in the 10th position on lap 145.

Continuing his move to the front, Newman was able to move into the top five on lap 153 and take over the third spot on lap 158. With several late-race cautions, the team decided not to pit for fuel or fresh tires throughout the remainder of the race. Newman was able to get as high as second on lap 180 behind eventual race winner Kyle Busch. Slipping several positions late in the race, Newman was able to take the checkered flag from the seventh position to earn his third top-10 finish for KHI this season in four Nationwide Series starts.

Kyle Busch won the Dollar General 300 followed by Mike Bliss, Dave Blaney, Brian Vickers and Carl Edwards.