Harvick prevails in Michigan’s first of doubleheader

BROOKLYN, Mich. — Kevin Harvick drove to victory Saturday in the first of two NASCAR Cup Series races in two days at Michigan International Speedway, winning all three stages.

Harvick, with his fifth victory of the year, denied runner-up Brad Keselowski’s bid to become the first Michigan native to win a Cup race at MIS.

Martin Truex Jr., Ryan Blaney and Kurt Busch finished third through fifth, in that order, on a race that was slowed by numerous caution flags near the end.

Richmond-area native Denny Hamlin was sixth, followed by Chase Elliott and Joey Logano. Bubba Wallace placed ninth.

Before the race, NASCAR docked Ryan Newman and Chris Buescher 20 points each and confiscated their spoilers.

NASCAR said the two violated a rule stating that except as specified, spoilers must be used exactly as supplied from the manufacturer. Each car also was sent to the rear for the start of the race, which was going on at press time. Newman and Buescher are both without a victory this year, and both were outside the top 20 in points even before these penalties.

Other penalties include a loss of 20 owner points and a $25,000 fine. Jimmie Johnson and Joey Gase also started at the back, because of inspection failures.

Starting this weekend, NASCAR has incorporated the “choose rule” into the restart procedure. Fans will see it again today.