Kevin Harvick held off Denny Hamlin by less than one car-length to win the Consumers Energy 400 at Michigan International Speedway on Sunday. The Bakersfield, CA native, who led a race-high 90 laps, becomes the first driver to win back-to-back races on back-to-back days since Richard Petty in 1971. "The Closer" now leads all drivers with six wins on the season. With 55 career victories, he ties Rusty Wallace for 10th on NASCAR's all-time wins list.
Martin Truex Jr finished third, followed by Kyle Busch and Joey Logano. Aric Almirola, Matt DiBenedetto, Austin Dillon, Chase Elliott, and Kurt Busch rounded out the top 10. Seven-time champion Jimmie Johnson finished 11th in his final start at Michigan. Penske Racing teammates Ryan Blaney and Brad Keselowski crashed into each other while running first and second on lap 96. Both drivers were the only ones to not finish the race.
Clint Bowyer led the first 43 laps in dominating fashion to win Stage One. However, the 2018 Michigan winner made a green-flag pit stop on lap 103 to tend to a tire going flat. Bowyer recovered to finish 14th. Harvick captured the Stage Two win.
Four races remain until the Cup Series Playoffs begin. Charlotte, NC native William Byron continues to cling to the 16th and final spot by 26 points over Erik Jones and Jimmie Johnson.
NASCAR's next stop on the schedule is Daytona International Speedway, the World Center of Racing. For the first time ever, the Cup Series drivers will attempt to conquer a unique track layout, which combines the infield road course with the high-banked oval turns. The course has 14 turns and is 3.6 miles long. The Go Bowling 325 starts next Sunday at 3 p.m. on NBC.