Harvick dominates Stages 1, 2 at Dover to earn playoff points

Kevin Harvick kept on going in Stage 2 much like he did in Stage 1, leading all but 13 laps in the 120-lap stage. Harvick and Clint Bowyer led a Stewart-Haas Racing brigade that took four of the top-six spots in the stage. Playoff drivers occupied nine of the top 10 spots in the stage to earn valuable stage points.

Chase Elliott had an uncontrolled tire penalty during pit stops under the caution following Stage 1 and rebounded to earn two stage points. Ryan Blaney, Kyle Larson and Alex Bowman were the playoff drivers that did not earn stage points in Stage 2. Both Bowman and Larson finished the stage one lap down following another caution free stage.

Joe Gibbs Racing’s Denny Hamlin — eliminated from the playoffs in the Round of 16 — was the lone non-playoff driver to score stage points.

STAGE 2 RESULTS

STAGE 1 RECAP

Kevin Harvick picked up where he left off in the spring race at Dover International Speedway as he led 98 of the 120 laps in Stage 1 to score his 13th stage win of the 2018 season and his first of the playoffs. Playoff drivers comprised the entire top 10 in the opening stage that was caution free with just Kyle Larson and Alex Bowman as the playoff drivers outside the top 10 in the stage.

In a surprise turn before the green flag, 11-time Dover winner Jimmie Johnson came down pit road and eventually headed to the garage during the pace laps. NBCSN reported it was a lower ball joint failure on the No. 48 Chevrolet that saw him join the race 10 laps down.

STAGE 1 RESULTS