Kevin Harvick: 'The performance we had [Sunday] speaks for itself.' Credit: Autostock

Last Lap: Harvick lets actions speak for him

BRISTOL, Tenn. -- The Food City 500 was a proclamation to the NASCAR universe. Loud. Clear. Obvious. Resounding. And no one had to say a word.

Kevin Harvick is back.

"You don't have to say a whole lot," Harvick said, leaned back easily in a studio chair high above Bristol Motor Speedway, his back to the racetrack he'd just conquered.

"The performance we had [Sunday] speaks for itself."

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True. Words are unnecessary. And considering the controversy surrounding the No. 29 bunch in recent weeks, since crew chief Todd Berrier was suspended for installing an illegal fuel cell for qualifying at Las Vegas, Harvick's victory is made even more impressive.

And that doesn't even take into account the fact that they started in the rear of the field after changing the power steering pump Sunday morning.

What's left to say? Worst to first says it all.

And it doesn't surprise me. I've said for several weeks now that the GM Goodwrench team is the only one in Nextel Cup currently capable of spoiling the Roush/Hendrick parade.

But what about the myriad dynamics involved in getting Harvick back to Victory Lane for the first time in 55 stars? What about Greg Biffle's decision to stay out on old tires? (If Atlanta was the worst day of his life, I wonder where Bristol ranks?)

And the accidents? What about the 14-car pileup that took out contenders Jamie McMurray and Mark Martin? Or Rusty Wallace's tire issues? Wallace had the best car, after all. Tony Stewart said it. Elliott Sadler said it.

"Probably the most disappointing part of the day was the No. 2 car," Stewart said. "He probably was the class of the field all day, in all reality."

So wait, does Kevin Harvick's first victory in 55 races prove that he's back, or did he benefit too much from all the wrecks?

This isn't even close. It'd be one thing if he fell into this victory, if he'd been running mid-pack all season and benefited from pit strategy and competitor misfortune. But that's not what happened.

Kevin Harvick Credit: Autostock

He was stout. Wallace's Dodge and Biffle's Ford were the only cars truly capable of running with Harvick. Wallace led 157 laps before tire trouble rendered him two laps down and out of contention. Once Wallace dropped from the lead lap, it was left to Harvick and Biffle to decide it.

Biffle, the leader with 89 laps to go, was the proverbial sitting duck when the caution flew for Mike Wallace's crash. He pits, they stay out. He stays, they all pit.

He stayed out. Harvick took advantage, then radioed Biffle to let him know he was a sitting duck.

"It's hard to be in that spot, when you're winning the race and, usually, everybody does the opposite of what you do," Harvick said. "I knew when he stayed on the racetrack that he wasn't going to be one of the cars that we had to worry about."

Game over.

"The last thing [Berrier] told me before I left, he said: 'Now look, the only thing we need to do is win the race, and that's all that needs to be said.' So, that's what we did."

lowes48man: Time will certainly answer this question. But in my opinion, 2004 was an off year for the 29 team (and RCR in general). I expect great things from them this year.

He has the talent, resources, and experience to make a strong push for the Chase, and Bristol was an excellent example. He started at the back and patiently made his way to the front. If he can maintain that formula through the summer, you can expect to see him in that Chase this fall.

Regarding the multitude of wrecks, well that's just Bristol. Kyle Petty avoided the wrecks to post a well-deserved top-10 finish, which some people would consider a fluke. But Harvick has a number of Bristol Busch wins under his belt and is usually a top-10 threat each race. His victory was certainly no fluke.

Kyle Petty Credit: Autostock

Gene Hackman is on the money, here, especially the point about Petty. That pretty much says it all. And believe it or not, 2004 was an off year for RCR.

Yes, Harvick was still in contention for the Chase at Richmond. But the truth is his equipment was less than stellar, and for RCR that is unacceptable. So during the offseason the No. 29 team built a brand new fleet of racecars -- not just one or two, either. ALL OF THEM.

And there is still work to be done, according to Burton. He says his cars are still lacking a bit.

biffleboy: Kevin's victory don't mean squat in the big scheme of things. It means he had a great race on Sunday, which applies to every other driver that wins a race. I'm sure it gave him some confidence, but that's about all it did. Well, and moved him up in the points. And I'm with gogregbiffle on this one -- lets talk about something poignant. These simpleton topics are BORING.

Now I could be wrong, but isn't improving one's points position at the very foundation of the "big scheme of things?" Whatever. As for the topic being boring, others agreed, and some even offered alternatives:

Rusty89: Here's my thoughts on Harvick. I don't care! How about a Last Lap question worth answering? Here is a few to consider. Why did NASCAR penalize Truex & Sauter, but not Hmiel for rough driving? Should Johnson have been penalized for rough driving on Sunday? Yes, because I had Busch in my pool.

Here's a better one. Is it going to be fair when NASCAR penalizes Hmiel for giving DJ the finger? You know Hmiel will get a $10,000 fine at least.

From a drama standpoint, Rusty Staub's topics are viable. But, man, asking those types of questions results in nothing more than, to be tidy, a substantial urination bout.

The answers are derived from one's respective allegiances and not from a true analytical standpoint. That said, here's what I think:

1. I have no idea.

Jeff Burton (31) and Kyle Busch crash Credit: Autostock

2. I agree Johnson was responsible for that accident. Burton and Busch both said so, too, but both chalked it up to impatience rather than purposeful intention. No penalty necessary. That said, it's not every day you see Burton that mad.

3. Yes. Hmiel's single-digit salute deserves a fine, but only because it was shown on the television broadcast. Such gestures are shared on the racetrack on every lap.

829fan: Sunday's win was definitely good for morale for Kevin and the #29 team. But Kevin always was and still is a talented driver. I think the win is more of a reflection on the entire RCR organization.

In the old days, a talented driver could overcome a car that is not set up quite right. That does not seem to be the case nowadays with all of the technology that is used to put a car on the track.

I'm not saying the drivers have nothing to do with the success of a team, but the car's setup seems to have more importance than in previous years. Also in terms of RCR, look at how the other two teams are doing:

Dave Blaney had a real good run going until he got caught up in a wreck. And Jeff Burton has been doing good each week as well. Overall, it seems the entire RCR organization is much improved over last year.

Last week on NASCAR Nation, I commented that the No. 29 team is fortunate that two of the four races during Berrier's suspension are short track races, because in short track racing the driver's ability plays a more significant role in the overall outcome than it does on speedways, where aerodynamics play such a huge role in performance.

Not that anybody with a learner's permit could go out and win at Texas. That's not what I'm saying. One still has to be able to wheel it on speedways, but traffic negotiation is a bigger issue on short tracks.

And track position, of course, is crucial, and more so at Bristol and Martinsville than anywhere else. Ask Wallace. Or Biffle.

tadbit30: If I were Todd Berrier, I'd be nervous. He sits out a couple races and Kevin wins? If he wins again with him sitting, and not after he comes back, will RCR place the blame?

Nope. Quite the contrary, Tad Geschickter. Just ask Harvick:

"I wish [Berrier] could have been here because he's the main reason this stuff happens, and the main reason the No. 29 goes around in circles," Harvick said.

Just because Berrier wasn't on the pit box Sunday doesn't mean he didn't have anything to do with that victory.

Dale Earnhardt Jr. Credit: Autostock

FBGRacing: If I have to hear "Dale Junior, you'd best open that door for me." many more times, I'm going to go nuts.

Best response of the week. I nearly choked up a lung on a Corn Chex wafer.

2muchrpm8: Where did he go? Is Jr. back? I think they all have their share of bad luck, problems internally, and team changes. I'm sick of hearing Carl Edwards name and Roush and Hendricks are the star teams, its getting to the point that it sickens me to listen to all the comments made during the race (SHUT UP!) and let us enjoy the race! Is Tony Back? Is rusty back? Is Matt back? Is Ryan back? Shut up already!

Whoa. Looks like 2muchrpm had too much coffee. Oh, and most newer television remote controls, say, all of them since the mid-80s, have a mute button.

sk8: Kevin is back. He has proven he's a great driver not only for Cup, but for Busch. I think he's gotten ahold of his temper, and because he is now a car and truck owner, he realizes the value of keeping the car intact. Richard Childress is a great mentor and I think Kevin is on his way to a championship-maybe not this year or next, but he will have one.

I like this answer very much, Tony Hawk. How true is that, that when you're the one paying the bills you're far more cognizant of the value. Harvick's success as an owner is one of the most impressive aspects of the 2005 season.

arkmokid: kevin harvick is just like about 15 to 20 other teams out there every weekend. they have the equipment and funds to win. any team that's mechanically capable of winning can win at tracks like bristol and Martinsville. the aero of the cars don't come into effect as much as longer tracks. so buckle up, kevin and 15 or so other teams will be back in victory lane thru out the season. :)

I'll take the "under" on that bet, Noah. There's no way 15 different teams will win in 2005. No way.

driver17_pa: Harvick is back, however he did benefit from a bonehead move by the 16 team not taking tires -- and I even am a huge fan of the 16 but that was not the smartest move. But the entire RCR group is vastly improved from their lackluster showing in '04.

Ricky Hendrick Credit: Autostock

Harvick has been consistent all year, but unlike last year where he was consistent, this year he is consistently finishing in the top 10 and top 5 where last year the GM boys were finishing in the 10 to 15 position consistently. I think this year Harvick will close the deal on what he could not do last year and that is make the Chase.

I still am not convinced that anyone outside of Hendrick or Roush has figured out the new aero package on the 1.5 to 2 mile tracks and that will make it very difficult for Harvick or anyone from RCR to contend for the title.

Yep. It's still the Roush/Hendrick show, but Harvick is back, and a force to be reckoned with.

Before I go, I want to say Happy Birthday to my buddy Ricky Hendrick. He would have turned 25 on Saturday.

We miss you terribly, bro.

The opinions listed here are solely those of the writer.