Harvick’s Star Shone the Brightest

The 2007 Nextel All-Star Challenge is all over and Kevin Harvick recorded his first win at the prestigious event. After 80 laps around the Lowe’s Motor Speedway on the 19th of this month, the Number 29 Chevrolet Pennzoil Platinum driven by Harvick bested former champions like Jeff Gordon, Mark Martin, and Dale Earnhardt Jr.

Winning the race gave Harvick $1 million. His composure played a major role in winning the race after he fended off defending champion Jimmie Johnson on the latter stages of the race.

The race featuring perennial NBA All-Star player Michael Jordan as the grand marshal was fought to the end by Johnson and Harvick. After winning the race, Harvick is absolutely thrilled. “To win the All-Star race is just a lot of fun,” Harvick said. “Jimmy and I raced hard all night and I actually learned something for turn three tonight from him. Everything worked really well tonight and it's pretty awesome to win this event.”

Meanwhile, two-time Nextel All-Star Challenge winner Jimmie Johnson is visibly disappointed by his second place finish. “We got close to that first place in the last few laps,” he said. “Our cars were about equal. Threw a lot at him, but just came up a little short. I'm a little disappointed on how we got started. We started off a little slow. I got really tight on that first run.” Although he may have lost the chance to win back-to-back All-Star wins, Johnson is already concentrating on the next race. “Looking to the 600 next week, I'm ready to come back and get started,” he added.

The third driver to cross the finish line was Mark Martin on his Chevrolet Impala. After the race, he talked about his performance at the race: “Started in the back and came up a little short after working our way to the front and getting some track position. This format is not my style. I'm not much of a short-distance racer. I'm more of a long-distance racer. The three cars there at the end were about equal. My specialty is a little more than 20 laps. There are a lot of good cars to contend with for the 600 next week.”

The dominance of Chevrolet cars in this year’s Nextel Cup Series continues in the All-Star. The top six spots after the race were taken by Chevrolet cars and eight out of the top ten are Chevrolets. Harvick, Johnson, and Martin all drove Chevrolet Impalas. Aside from them other Chevrolet drivers who made it to the top ten are Jeff Burton who finished fourth, Tony Stewart finished at fifth, Johnny Sauter finished sixth, Dale Earnhardt Jr. at ninth, and Martin Truex Jr. who finished tenth. At this rate, not even a brake component from Active Brakes Direct can stop the Chevrolet in the Nextel Cup.

Anthony Fontanelle is a 35-year-old automotive buff who grew up in the Windy City. He does freelance work for an automotive magazine when he is not busy customizing cars in his shop.