Harvick wins Budweiser Shootout in last-lap thriller

Harvick wins Budweiser Shootout in last-lap thriller

Daytona Beach, FL (Sports Network) - Kevin Harvick squeezed between Jimmie Johnson and Denny Hamlin and then drove past Jamie McMurray on the final lap in a green-white-checkered finish to win Saturday night's Budweiser Shootout at Daytona International Speedway.

Harvick, who has not won a Sprint Cup Series points-paying race since the 2007 Daytona 500, pulled ahead of McMurray just before an accident involving Johnson, Hamlin and Casey Mears occurred, ending the pre-season, non-points event under caution.

"First thing I want to do is thank all the fans," Harvick said. "Man, if you don't enjoy that (one). That was some wild racing. It was wild as heck."

Harvick led only the final lap after falling out of lead draft during the early stages of the race.

McMurray held on for a second-place finish.

"When Kevin got the run on my outside, I moved up and I thought I was far enough up where he couldn't fit between me and the wall," McMurray said. "I was trying to make my car as wide as possible."

Tony Stewart, in his debut as driver and co-owner of the No.14 Chevrolet, finished an impressive third. Jeff Gordon and AJ Allmendinger rounded out the top-five.

Johnson, the three-time defending series champion, came in 14th.

"There was a lot that we learned tonight," Johnson said. "It was nice to be back in the cars. During intermission, we were able to try some stuff. I think all the teams that were in this race certainly benefited from that."

This year's Budweiser Shootout, which featured seven teams from each of the four auto manufacturers and an increased distance of 75 laps, saw a record number of lead changes (23), leaders (14) and cautions (eight).

Despite crashing his car during Friday's final practice, Paul Menard was able to keep his top starting position after his team made repairs. Menard, who selected the pole in a random draw, led the field to green. He led the first two laps before he got shuffled out of draft.

Hamlin took the top spot on the third lap, but NASCAR's fan favorite, Dale Earnhardt, Jr., powered ahead to the crowds' delight on the following lap.

A multi-car pileup on the final turn of the fourth lap brought out the first caution of the night, as David Ragan got loose and was bumped from behind by Robby Gordon. Ragan spun and slapped the wall, taking Joey Logano, Scott Speed and Gordon with him.

When the race resumed on the ninth lap, Earnhardt, Jr. remained out in front, but Elliott Sadler grabbed the lead for two laps. Stewart pulled ahead of Sadler and took the lead for the first time on Lap 12.

While Carl Edwards grabbed the lead from Stewart on Lap 16, Earnhardt, Jr. had fallen back into the mid-pack. Stewart also fell back deep in the pack to 17th by Lap 20.

David Reutimann and David Stremme made contact and spun onto the infield grass to bring out the second caution on Lap 22. The caution period remained until 25 laps were completed, ending the first segment of the Budweiser Shootout.

Edwards remained the leader just before the 10-minute intermission, at which teams were allow to change tires, add fuel and make normal chassis adjustments.

Kasey Kahne grabbed the lead, while Edwards was shuffled back in the field just after the race resumed for the final 50 laps.

Gordon started last in the field but moved up to the front by Lap 30, only to hold the top spot for two laps. Gordon was hung out to dry when McMurray took command for the first time.

As Gordon attempted to work his way back, he tapped Greg Biffle from behind. Biffle spun and triggered a five-car wreck on Lap 32. Jeff Burton, Allmendinger, Mears and Johnson were also involved in the incident.

The caution set up a round of pit stops, with Hamlin winning the battle off of pit road. Hamlin led the field for the restart on Lap 36.

Kyle Busch and Earnhardt, Jr. pulled ahead Hamlin for the first and second positions just before Reed Sorenson blew an engine in his No.43 Dodge on Lap 37.

Gordon pushed Earnhardt, Jr. into the lead on the restart on Lap 40.

Roush Fenway Racing teammates Matt Kenseth and Edwards ganged up on Earnhardt, Jr. on Lap 50, as they took the top spot away from him, but Junior was quickly back in the lead with help from Busch and Stewart.

On Lap 55, Stremme got into the back of Sadler, turning the No.19 Dodge driver around. The fifth caution set up the last round of stops, with Edwards the quickest out of pit road, as he advanced eight positions to reclaim the lead.

Edwards wouldn't hold the top spot for long, as Busch quickly moved ahead of him to take the lead just after the restart on Lap 59.

Johnson grabbed the lead for the first time on Lap 62 when he darted past Busch and Gordon while the two were battling for the top spot.

On Lap 64, Menard got loose and was tapped from behind by Bobby Labonte. Menard then slid down the track and slammed into Earnhardt, Jr., taking the defending race winner out of the event. Biffle was also involved in the incident.

"I was real loose getting into (turn) one, and Kyle and me were drafting on the inside, and he gave me a real good run back into the lead, and I just lost the right-rear, and got up in a mix a little bit, and got shuffle through the middle on the back," Earnhardt, Jr. said. "I was trying to regroup there and figure out what to do. I knew there was going to be a wreck, and I didn't think I was going to get through the pack before it started happening, and I didn't."

Earnhardt, Jr., who led a race-high 23 laps, finished 18th.

Brian Vickers grabbed the top spot just before the caution came, but Vickers opted to pit during yellow, allowing McMurray to take the lead.

With two laps remaining, Stremme and Biffle made contact, with Biffle spinning in front of Stremme's machine. The caution set up the overtime finish.

Qualifying for the 51st running of the Daytona 500 pole is scheduled for Sunday at 1 p.m. (et).