Kevin Harvick

The NASCAR Cup Series has only had five drivers win at Kentucky Speedway.

Brad Keselowski, Martin Truex Jr. and Kyle Busch all have multiple victories at the venue, while Kurt Busch and Matt Kenseth have one win each. Keselowski is the only member of that quintet with more than one triumph in the 2020 season, while the other four have one victory between them from Truex.

With the way the season is going, we could see a first-time Cup Series winner at Kentucky, like points leader Kevin Harvick, Denny Hamlin or Joey Logano.

                    

NASCAR at Kentucky Information

Date: Sunday, July 12

Start Time: 2:30 p.m. ET

TV: FS1

Live Stream: FoxSports.com and Fox Sports app.

                    

Odds

Kevin Harvick +400 (bet $100 to win $400)

Kyle Busch +450

Martin Truex Jr. +600

Denny Hamlin +600

Chase Elliott +700

Brad Keselowski +900

Joey Logano +900

Odds via Caesars Palace.

               

Preview

Kyle Busch has appeared to be in a good position to win his first race of 2020 at other tracks, but Sunday may be his best opportunity yet.

The driver of the No. 18 car owns the most top-five finishes at Kentucky of any Cup Series competitor (seven) and has won a pair of races. Busch also landed the pole position from the random draw that determined the first 12 spots on the starting grid.

In the past five races, Busch has alternated top-10 marks with finishes toward the back of the field. He is coming off a sixth-placed finish at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. He should put himself in a position to at least win the first stage if he gets out in front at the green flag. Busch has led the most Cup Series laps at Kentucky with 621.

Holding to the lead could be difficult with Harvick starting directly behind the No. 18 car in third position.

Harvick has won two of the past three races and finished second in the other competition in that span. The driver of the No. 4 car is considered the favorite, even though he does not have a victory at Kentucky, since he has 13 top-10 finishes in 16 races this year.

Keselowski and Truex start sixth and ninth, respectively, and they could bank on their experience to surge forward early in the first stage.

Kenseth owns the deepest starting position of the past winners at Kentucky in 17th, and he may be considered a dark horse after he earned a season-best second-placed finish at the Brickyard last time out. The Chip Ganassi Racing driver needs a high finish to start working his way up the standings, which will come into focus more in the coming weeks as the playoffs draw closer.

Austin Dillon holds the 16th and final playoff spot. Erik Jones and Tyler Reddick are six and 16 points, respectively, behind him going into Kentucky.

Unless one of the fringe playoff contenders earns an automatic playoff spot through a victory, they need to record as many points as possible, which should lead to intriguing competitions away from the battle to come out on top.

                         

Follow Joe on Twitter, @JTansey90. Statistics obtained from Racing Reference.

Kevin Harvick rolled to victory in overtime in the Big Machine Hand Sanitizer 400 Powered by Big Machine Records at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.  

Harvick was sitting in first place at the restart ahead of Matt Kenseth. Rather than bridging the gap on the leader, Kenseth fell far behind the No. 4 car to eliminate any doubt about the result and confirm Harvick's repeat in Indianapolis.

Kevin Harvick's Brickyard 400 win is the third of his career!

Credit One Lap To Go Presented By @CreditOneBank. pic.twitter.com/1ImiTmzf3D

— NASCAR on NBC (@NASCARonNBC) July 6, 2020

Harvick's dominance wasn't limited to overtime. He led more laps (68) than any other driver and was regularly driving near the front of the pack.

            

Big Machine Hand Sanitizer 400 Powered by Big Machine Records Leaderboard

1. Kevin Harvick

2. Matt Kenseth

3. Aric Almirola

4. Brad Keselowski

5. Cole Custer

6. Kyle Busch

7. Michael McDowell

8. Tyler Reddick

9. Bubba Wallace

10. Joey Logano

             

Denny Hamlin looked set to cross an achievement off his career checklist. Prior to Sunday, he had won 41 NASCAR Cup Series races but never reached Victory Lane at the Brickyard.

He was running in first place late into the third stage before his right front tire blew, sending the No. 11 car hard into the wall.

.@DennyHamlin crashes from the lead at @IMS!

Watch the finish NOW on @NBC. #Brickyard400 #NBCRacingWeekend pic.twitter.com/82KcHBXwzn

— NASCAR on NBC (@NASCARonNBC) July 6, 2020

Of all the ways to lose a crown jewel race like the #Brickyard400 ... that had to be a helpless feeling for Hamlin. #NASCAR

— Nick DeGroot (@ndegroot89) July 6, 2020

Although Hamlin only led 19 of the 161 laps, he and his pit crew had run an excellent race to put him at the top of the field. A win was far from a guarantee, but the 39-year-old was in a great position to clinch that long-awaited Indianapolis victory.

More importantly, Hamlin lost out on a chance to widen his lead on Harvick in the points standings. Whereas he could've held a five-to-three advantage in wins, the two stars are now tied at four apiece.

There was a scary moment early in the race on pit road.

Indianapolis Motor Speedway has the narrowest pit road in NASCAR, so the slightest bit of contact can create a big chain reaction such as the pileup on Lap 16. Martin Truex Jr. took the brunt of the damage and was knocked out of the race.

It's a PILEUP on pit road at @IMS!

The #Brickyard400 is underway on @NBC: https://t.co/wKDI0aNMYn #NBCRacingWeekend pic.twitter.com/FrOHnH0Rkd

— NASCAR on NBC (@NASCARonNBC) July 5, 2020

During that wreck, a crew member of Ryan Blaney became briefly wedged between Blaney's No. 12 car and Brennan Poole's No. 15 car. Zach Price appeared to be in good spirits and gave a thumbs up before he was loaded into an ambulance.

Brave people that climb over the wall on pit road.

Happy to see the @Blaney pit crew member smiling with a thumbs up after a crash in the early goings of the #Brickyard400 on @NBC. pic.twitter.com/CCAak9kCCO

— NASCAR on NBC (@NASCARonNBC) July 5, 2020

Fox Sports' Bob Pockrass reported Price was taken to a local hospital to undergo further evaluation.

Erik Jones briefly had fans panicked on Lap 76, as well. He blew a tire, which sent him hard into the wall. The No. 20 car caught fire shortly after impact and as it rolled into the infield. Jones exited the vehicle under his own power and walked away from the crash.

Take another look at what happened to @Erik_Jones to bring out the caution.

📺: NBC | #Brickyard400 pic.twitter.com/WFA8cwonIK

— NASCAR (@NASCAR) July 5, 2020

Alex Bowman had an almost identical wreck in the third stage.

A hard hit into the SAFER Barrier for @AlexBowman88.

Less than 30 to go in the #Brickyard400 on @NBC. #NBCRacingWeekend pic.twitter.com/2ZvXjANuWe

— NASCAR on NBC (@NASCARonNBC) July 6, 2020

Jones and Bowman finished 33rd and 30th, respectively.

The NASCAR Cup Series heads to Kentucky Speedway for the Quaker State 400 next Sunday. 

Kurt Busch was the winner in Sparta, Kentucky, a year ago, while Truex might be looking to atone for his poor finish in Indianapolis. Truex won back-to-back races in 2017 and 2018.

It took a bit longer than expected due to a rain and lightning delay, but Denny Hamlin emerged victorious at the Pocono 350 on Sunday.   

Hamlin held off Kevin Harvick for the win, beating him by three seconds. Erik Jones, Chase Elliott and Aric Almirola rounded out the top five. 

Retweet to congratulate @dennyhamlin on his WIN! He ties @JeffGordonWeb as the all-time Pocono winner with six total.@CocaColaRacing | @JoeGibbsRacing pic.twitter.com/EhXiciO5mB

— FOX: NASCAR (@NASCARONFOX) June 29, 2020

The race came down to pit strategy with Hamlin and his team getting the better of Harvick in those decisions after waiting until Lap 120, which helped build up a nice lead. 

"Hoping for no caution. I knew we had the car, and I just kind of maintained my gap right there," he said of the strategy on the FS1 broadcast. "Didn't want to make any mistakes like I did at Bristol and gave that win away. I just tried to work through the traffic the best I could."

🖐+👆@dennyhamlin's dominance at @PoconoRaceway spans 14 years and there's no end in sight. pic.twitter.com/yvPoDHLpte

— NASCAR (@NASCAR) June 29, 2020

The money stop!

See if @dennyhamlin's strategy gets him the #Pocono350 win on FS1 and https://t.co/oWWAusOO8X! pic.twitter.com/9fwKrKF1Wa

— NASCAR (@NASCAR) June 29, 2020

Harvick, meanwhile, ended up getting caught in traffic after taking an earlier pit. He wasn't unhappy with his team's strategy, however, as he told Reid Spencer of NASCAR.com:

"[Hamlin] just did the opposite of what we did. We didn't want to get caught with a caution and then wound up losing a little bit too much time in lapped traffic with all the cars that hadn't pitted. He was out there running clean laps and waited till right to the very end [to pit] and wound up in front of us. I'm proud of everybody on our team. Yesterday, [strategy] won us the race, and today we finished second."

For Hamlin, it was his fourth win of the season, putting him one ahead off Harvick, who got the better of him Saturday at the Pocono Organic 325.

As for the rest of the race, Kurt Busch won the first stage, while Brad Keselowski took the second. There was also the normal array of dustups and wrecks.

"[Elliott] drove us right into the fence." Heavy damage for Michael McDowell. pic.twitter.com/um6ZuM9uRd

— FOX: NASCAR (@NASCARONFOX) June 28, 2020

Heavy damage for Christopher Bell at Pocono. pic.twitter.com/JpweLWLBfJ

— FOX: NASCAR (@NASCARONFOX) June 28, 2020

Kyle Busch is done for the day with 10 laps to go in Stage 2. pic.twitter.com/0Dskh0luX8

— FOX: NASCAR (@NASCARONFOX) June 28, 2020

Up next for the NASCAR Cup Series is the Big Machine Vodka 400 on Sunday at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

Kevin Harvick has finally broken through at Pocono Raceway.

The 19-year NASCAR veteran took the checkered flag at the Pocono Organics 325 on Saturday after starting ninth, notching his first victory at the track in 39 tries. He'd previously finished second on four occasions.

"We weren't where we needed to be to start the race," Harvick said. "... Came back and made some great strategy calls. ... That's great to finally check Pocono off the list."

Only Kentucky and The ROVAL are left on @KevinHarvick's checklist. pic.twitter.com/uCCA9jt8So

— FOX: NASCAR (@NASCARONFOX) June 27, 2020

The 44-year-old will have a chance to make it two wins at the track in two days with the Pocono 350 set for Sunday. Harvick will start the race in 20th position with NASCAR inverting the top 20 finishers for tomorrow's lineup. That means Ryan Preece will start on the pole in less than 24 hours.

Here's a look at the final standings for the Pocono Organics 325.

     

NASCAR Cup Series Pocono Organics 325 Results

1. Kevin Harvick

2. Denny Hamlin

3. Aric Almirola

4. Christopher Bell

5. Kyle Busch

6. Martin Truex Jr.

7. Clint Bowyer

8. Michael McDowell

9. Brad Keselowski

10. Chris Buescher

Notables: 21. Jimmie Johnson, 22. Bubba Wallace, 36. Joey Logano

     

Cup Series Standings

1. Kevin Harvick, 490 points

2. Joey Logano, 467 points

3. Ryan Blaney, 465 points

4. Chase Elliott, 458 points

5. Brad Keselowski, 441 points

     

Highlights

The final 12 laps came down to a two-man race between Harvick and Hamlin, but Harvick's car seemed to have a bit better handling in the final stretch than Hamlin's. Harvick was able to fend him off by taking advantage of the open road ahead of him and using the width of the track to stop Hamlin from getting a strong draft.

One of the early favorites for tomorrow? @dennyhamlin reflects on his runner-up finish today at @PoconoRaceway. pic.twitter.com/6O65Vgbnm8

— NASCAR (@NASCAR) June 27, 2020

Yet they were hardly the two drivers who seemed destined to pull off a victory in the early goings.

Joey Logano and Aric Almirola controlled the first two stages of the race.

Logano took Stage 1 with Almirola finishing second before the two swapped positions to finish Stage 2.

STAGE WINNER: @joeylogano's late pass of @Aric_Almirola helps him claim the opening stage of the #PoconoOrganics325. pic.twitter.com/LlLZZSwIqv

— NASCAR (@NASCAR) June 27, 2020

Things heat up during the final lap of Stage 2 at Pocono! @Aric_Almirola picks up the stage win. pic.twitter.com/BsEInwijZL

— FOX: NASCAR (@NASCARONFOX) June 27, 2020

Pole sitter Almirola would finish third after leading the most laps on the day. Despite Saturday doubling as his best finish at the raceway, there's still a ways to go for the 36-year-old.

"We opted to score a lot of points, and that probably hurt us on strategy a little bit," Almirola said post-race on the broadcast.

Logano, meanwhile, was forced to drop back with seven laps to go after taking damage to the front left side of his car, putting a disappointing end on an otherwise triumphant performance.

Damage to Logano's #PoconoDouble car with just 7 laps to go. pic.twitter.com/DuAlSvS8W3

— FOX: NASCAR (@NASCARONFOX) June 27, 2020

The final laps provided as much excitement at the front of the pack as the middle did with a battle over the 20th spot taking place as drivers looked to lock up the pole for Sunday's race.

Take a look at what happened between @Erik_Jones and @TylerReddick during the second stage. #PoconoOrganics325 pic.twitter.com/4B58LBf1Bt

— NASCAR (@NASCAR) June 27, 2020

That's going to cost @JimmieJohnson some time.

FOX | https://t.co/oWWAusOO8X pic.twitter.com/9frl7eFTvE

— NASCAR (@NASCAR) June 27, 2020

Joining Preece on the top line will be Austin Dillon. Kurt Busch, Ricky Stenhouse Jr. and Cole Custer will make up the third, fourth and fifth spots, respectively.

The NASCAR Cup Series' busy weekend at Pocono Raceway concludes Sunday with the Pocono 350. 

Sunday's competition is 25 miles and 10 laps longer than Saturday's Pocono Organics 325. 

When the race finishes, most of the drivers in the 40-man field will have run in 11 competitions since May 17.

Kyle Busch and his Joe Gibbs Racing teammates should be at the front of the field all weekend, even if they have to work from a deeper starting position Sunday. 

The top 20 on the starting grid will be inverted from Saturday's results, which means the winner will start 20th. 

             

Pocono 350 Information

Date: Sunday, June 28

Start Time: 4 p.m. ET

TV: FS1

Live Stream: FoxSports.com or Fox Sports app

Odds: Race odds can be found on Caesars Palace

            

Preview

The NASCAR drivers are used to racing at Pocono twice a year, but they have never done so in back-to-back days. 

Unlike the races in the same week at Darlington Raceway and Charlotte Motor Speedway in May, the pair of Pocono races were on the initial 2020 schedule. 

In previous years, the Pocono race weekends were split up in June and July, but NASCAR announced the new format last year. 

Busch has a Pocono victory in each of the last three seasons, while his teammates Denny Hamlin and Martin Truex Jr. have one win each since 2017.

Hamlin broke down the mentality teams should have if Saturday produces a disappointing finish, per Racer.com's Kelly Crandall.

"If it’s (Saturday) a bad day, you can essentially overhaul your car and put a new setup in and come up with new ideas, and you’ll be starting upfront. I think you can really bounce back. You could have flip-flop days between the two races," Hamlin said. 

In addition to having success at Pocono, Hamlin and Truex recently visited Victory Lane at Martinsville Speedway and Homestead-Miami Speedway, respectively.

They make up a group of eight racers locked into the playoff field by way of a victory. Busch has a good chance to add his name to that list this weekend based off his previous Pocono success.

The security of already being in the playoffs could allow Hamlin, Truex, Kevin Harvick and Talladega winner Ryan Blaney to drive with more risk toward the end of Sunday's race. 

Those drivers may be forced to take more risks since starting position matters at Pocono. Since 2014, 10 of the 12 winners began the race in the top 10.

The recent trend could also allow an unlikely racer to take first since the inverted starting lineup will be in place.

           

Follow Joe on Twitter, @JTansey90

Statistics obtained from NASCAR.com

NASCAR's second short-track event of the 2020 season could be one of the most grueling races the drivers face.

The competitors have three days rest between the Blue-Emu Maximum Pain Relief 500 at Martinsville Speedway Wednesday and Sunday's Folds of Honor QuikTrip 500 in the blistering heat at Atlanta Motor Speedway, which was won by Kevin Harvick.

Harvick is one of four racers with two wins, with Brad Keselowski, Joey Logano and Denny Hamlin the others. 

Each of those drivers will start in top 12 for Wednesday's race after the starting grid was chosen in a draw based off owner points. 

Ryan Blaney was awarded the pole and will start alongside Aric Almirola, while Logano and Clint Bowyer begin on Row 2.

                

NASCAR at Martinsville Information

Date: Wednesday, June 10

Start Time: 7 p.m. ET 

TV: FS1

Live Stream: Fox Sports app or FoxSports.com

       

Starting Lineup

Cup lineup for Wednesday night at Martinsville, 7pm ET on FS1. Based on weighted draw. Pits will be selected in order of Atlanta finish. #nascar ⁦@NASCARONFOX⁩ pic.twitter.com/uC8TbQth3f

— Bob Pockrass (@bobpockrass) June 8, 2020

         

Odds

Kyle Busch (+450; bet $100 to win $450)

Martin Truex Jr. (+550)

Brad Keselowski (+600)

Chase Elliott (+750)

Denny Hamlin (+900)

Joey Logano (+900)

Kevin Harvick (+1,000)

Odds via Vegas Insider

         

Preview

The 500-lap race at Martinsville will be a test of the physical condition the drivers are in. 

The combination of the heat and being inside the car for close to four hours at Atlanta had some effects on the competitors. 

Ricky Stenhouse Jr. revealed he burned 3,150 calories Sunday afternoon, while Bubba Wallace was visibly affected by the conditions once he got out of his car. 

Of course, these are well-trained athletes who will recover to the best of their abilities, but it will be interesting to see how two long races in four days affects the racers. 

Keselowski and Martin Truex Jr. won the 2019 races at Martinsville, and the former is the reigning champion of the spring event. 

The No. 2 car driver has five top-10 finishes and two victories since NASCAR returned to competition May 17. 

Truex captured the first two stages at Atlanta and has performed well of late, but he has not found Victory Lane yet this season. 

The Joe Gibbs Racing driver has a quintet of top-10 placings and led the most laps of any competitor without a win in 2020. 

However, repeating victories at Martinsville has proved tough, and Kyle Busch is the only competitor to win in back-to-back years at the track since 2013. 

Just like teammate Truex, Busch has been around the top spot in most races, but he hasn't been able to capture a victory. The driver of the No. 18 car has six top-five finishes, which ties him with Harvick for most this season. 

Jimmie Johnson has not placed as high as Truex, Busch and the other pre-race favorites, but he is familiar with Victory Lane at Martinsville. The seven-time Cup Series champion has nine wins at the Virginia venue and placed third in the season's first short-track race at Bristol.

Blaney, Logano, Hamlin and Chase Elliott all have to be considered as contenders given their recent performances. 

Of that quartet, Blaney carries the most favorable odds to win the race. If he gets out in front early from the pole position, the No. 12 car driver should be in contention for most of the competition.

                   

Follow Joe on Twitter, @JTansey90

Statistics obtained from NASCAR.com

Kevin Harvick won the Folds of Honor Quiktrip 500 at the Atlanta Motor Speedway on Sunday, taking control of the race down the stretch to claim his 51st career win.

RETWEET TO CONGRATULATE @KevinHarvick ON HIS ATLANTA WIN! pic.twitter.com/0yQRxGslxj

— FOX: NASCAR (@NASCARONFOX) June 7, 2020

He held off Kyle Busch, who finished second, and Martin Truex Jr., who finished third after winning the first two stages. Ryan Blaney and Denny Hamlin rounded out the top five.

According to ESPN's Ryan McGee, Harvick now ranks 12th all-time in Cup Series wins, just three behind 11th-placed Lee Petty.

After the win, Harvick paid tribute to the late Dale Earnhardt:

For Dale. pic.twitter.com/PZbzXvJSif

— NASCAR (@NASCAR) June 7, 2020

Harvick does a Polish victory lap with three fingers out of the window.
Harvick won his first-career race here at AMS, his third race filling-in for the deceased Earnhardt. No fans to see it, but a great tribute.

— 🔥Fireball Turnbull 🏁🎙️ (@DougTurnbull) June 7, 2020

Man. Chills watching Harvick flash the 3 during his victory lap following his 51st career win.
Just like he did following his very first career Cup win.

— Marty Smith (@MartySmithESPN) June 7, 2020

"First win came for me here in Atlanta, and this is just a race track I've taken a liking to," Harvick said after the race on the Fox broadcast. "You always come back and have those memories. And now you want to celebrate everything that Dale Earnhardt did for this sport. And to be able to come here and do that with wins and to go to Victory Lane is pretty special."

.@KevinHarvick talks with @JamieLittleTV after his Atlanta win. pic.twitter.com/5URvi4uHp2

— FOX: NASCAR (@NASCARONFOX) June 7, 2020

According to ESPN Stats & Info, Jimmie Johnson (five) and Kurt Busch (three) are the only active drivers with as many wins at Atlanta Motor Speedway as Harvick.

Before the race, NASCAR drivers released a video talking about the protests happening around the United States and the world regarding racial discrimination and police brutality against the black community.

We will listen and learn!#BlackLivesMattters pic.twitter.com/AYoYdY8IlX

— Bubba Wallace (@BubbaWallace) June 7, 2020

NASCAR President Steve Phelps also addressed the drivers:

NASCAR President Steve Phelps addressed today's competitors prior to today's race at @amsupdates. pic.twitter.com/7fZLUMkWxj

— NASCAR (@NASCAR) June 7, 2020

As Jeff Gluck of The Athletic tweeted, "For NASCAR, racing in the heart of the South, with all its history and stereotypes, that was an important moment."

Brad Keselowski is in an ideal position to become the first back-to-back winner of the 2020 NASCAR Cup Series season.

The driver of the No. 2 car is the defending champion of the Folds of Honor QuikTrip 500, and he has reached Victory Lane in two of the last three years at Atlanta Motor Speedway. 

Keselowski is also the only competitor to win multiple races since the NASCAR season resumed May 17. 

The top competition for the Team Penske driver should be points leader Kevin Harvick and Chase Elliott, who has had one of the best cars over the last five events.

            

NASCAR at Atlanta Information

Date: Sunday, June 7

Start Time: 3 p.m. ET

TV: Fox

Live Stream: FoxSports.com or Fox Sports app

       

Starting Lineup

Cup lineup for Sunday at Atlanta: #nascar ⁦@NASCARONFOX⁩ pic.twitter.com/qj82KEdbMk

— Bob Pockrass (@bobpockrass) June 4, 2020

       

Odds

Kevin Harvick (+500; bet $100 to win $500)

Chase Elliott (+600)

Kyle Busch (+600)

Brad Keselowski (+700)

Alex Bowman (+700)

Joey Logano (+800)

Martin Truex Jr. (+800)

Denny Hamlin (+1000)

Odds via Caesars Palace

           

Preview

Even though he is not the odds-on favorite, Keselowski has to be considered as the pick to win this event. 

The No. 2 car found Victory Lane at the Coca-Cola 600 and Supermarket Heroes 500, and it is placed in a favorable position on the starting grid.

Keselowski was drawn into the No. 6 starting position, while Elliott nabbed the pole in a draw that determined the first 12 positions off the top 12 teams in owner points. 

The same format was followed to fill out positions No. 13-24 and No. 25-36, while the final four spots on the starting grid went to non-chartered NASCAR teams. 

Elliott will not relinquish the top spot easily, as he has been near, or at, the lead for most of the last five races. 

Unfortunately, the final results have not reflected that, as the No. 9 car was involved in two late-race accidents and dropped down the field after a failed pit-stop decision during the Coca-Cola 600.

It would not come as a surprise to see Elliott and Keselowski batting for the lead for most of the race, with Harvick likely in the mix once he moves up from the No. 9 starting spot. 

Harvick has been the most consistent driver in the Cup Series with eight top 10 finishes and an 11th-place result from Bristol.

Harvick is one of five active drivers with wins at Atlanta in the last decade. Keselowski and Jimmie Johnson are the only ones with multiple victories. 

Johnson, who is retiring at the end of the season, is one of a few competitors with longer odds that could be worth a bet. 

The No. 48 car driver is coming off a third-place finish and has a trio top 12 placings in the last five events. 

Ryan Blaney should be considered as a sleeper to take the checkered flag. Before he wrecked and finished last at Bristol, he earned two consecutive third-place finishes and placed in the top five on 11 occasions in 2019.

If you are looking for a long shot, Austin Dillon is at +7500. The No. 3 car driver has improved his finish in each of the last three races and starts in the top half of the grid in 16th.

                 

Follow Joe on Twitter, @JTansey90

Statistics obtained from NASCAR.com

Kevin Harvick has been the most consistent driver through five races of the 2020 NASCAR season, and on Wednesday, he faces the toughest task yet to extend his lead in the points standings. 

The 44-year-old and the other racers face the grueling physical test of racing twice in four days at Darlington Raceway.

The driver of the No. 4 car has to fend off challenges from some teams that looked strong Sunday and find a way to reach first from the 20th starting position, which is not easy to do at the South Carolina circuit.

Wednesday's starting grid was inverted from the top-20 finishers from Sunday's race, so Ryan Preece, who ended up in 20th, sits on the pole. 

The second half of Wednesday's starting lineup was determined by finishing position, which means William Byron and Jimmie Johnson will begin the race in 34th and 37th, respectively. 

                   

Toyota 500 Information

Date: Wednesday, May 20

Start Time: 6 p.m. ET 

TV: FS1

Live Stream: FoxSports.com or Fox Sports app

        

Starting Lineup

Starting lineup for Wednesday. Based on Sunday finish. Top-20 inverted. #nascar ⁦@NASCARONFOX⁩ pic.twitter.com/rK4ffSek7W

— Bob Pockrass (@bobpockrass) May 18, 2020

        

Odds

Kyle Busch (+500; bet $100 to win $500) 

Kevin Harvick (+500)

Martin Truex Jr. (+600) 

Denny Hamlin (+700)

Alex Bowman (+800)

Chase Elliott (+800)

Brad Keselowski (+1,000)

Odds obtained from Caesars Sportsbook.

                

Preview

Harvick will return to Darlington with the car he won Sunday's race in.

The Stewart-Haas Racing driver did not suffer much damage to his vehicle because he was out in front for 159 of the 293 laps.

Harvick's crew chief Rodney Childers confirmed the decision to NBC Sports' Dustin Long.

"Bringing the same car back," Childers said. "Not even taking springs and shocks off the car. Just taking it like we ended but will fix a few things."

Harvick's toughest competition Sunday came from the four Hendrick Motorsports cars. 

Johnson was in line to capture the first stage before an accident took him out of the race, Byron took the Stage 1 victory before suffering damage, Bowman ended up second overall, and Chase Elliott finished fourth.

Elliott and Bowman have the best chances to win from that quartet since they start within the top 20.

Only two drivers who started from positions No. 30-40 Sunday finished in the top 20, and it could be tougher for Byron and Johnson to achieve that with 64 fewer laps in Wednesday's 500-kilometer race. 

Given the shorter race length and complexities of passing at Darlington, more pit strategies could be utilized to move up the grid. 

Kyle Busch may join Byron and Johnson as drivers who try a different pit sequence to reach the front. 

Busch entered Darlington with a pair of top-five and top-10 finishes, but a start from the back of the field and a few other issues kept him from extending that streak. 

At the front of the field, Brad Keselowski may be in the best position to control Wednesday night's race. 

The No. 2 car led 80 laps—the second-highest total behind Harvick—but dropped back to 13th after struggling in the final stage.

If Keselowski's team makes the proper adjustments, he could surge forward from eighth and set the pace.

His Team Penske teammate, Joey Logano, could have an extended spell up top as well, as he begins the race in third. 

Logano is the only driver with two wins this season, and he could benefit from running in the front alongside teammates Keselowski and Ryan Blaney, who starts fifth. 

Rookies Tyler Reddick (+6,000) and John Hunter Nemechek (+20,000) could be the best long-shot bets for Wednesday after they both finished in the top 10.

Reddick was a consistent fixture in the top 10 Sunday, and Nemechek used a late push to end up in ninth.

                              

Follow Joe on Twitter, @JTansey90

Statistics obtained from NASCAR.com

NASCAR is back. And Kevin Harvick welcomed its return with a win at The Real Heroes 400 at Darlington Raceway on Sunday. 

Not only was it a special day for NASCAR fans, having racing back on their televisions, but it was also a milestone for Harvick, who became just the 14th driver in NASCAR history to win 50 races. 

That's 5️⃣0️⃣ for @KevinHarvick!

Retweet to congratulate the driver of the No. 4 on his 50th NASCAR Cup Series victory! pic.twitter.com/CPWKDRs022

— NASCAR (@NASCAR) May 17, 2020

Kevin Harvick becomes the 14th driver to win 50 Cup Series races and the 3rd active driver, joining Jimmie Johnson and Kyle Busch.

Harvick, 44, is the 2nd-oldest driver at the time of his 50th Cup Series victory and the only driver to record a Top 10 in all 5 Cup races this year pic.twitter.com/3P2K8UMh8k

— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) May 17, 2020

"It's a pretty big honor to win 50 races in this deal," Harvick said after his victory. 

"I'm speechless."- @KevinHarvick talks with @ReganSmith and honors #TheRealHeroes after his Darlington win. pic.twitter.com/0fJcjsv2d2

— FOX: NASCAR (@NASCARONFOX) May 17, 2020

Harvick added that winning without any fans in attendance was a much different experience than his past 49 wins.

"Man, I'm excited," he said. "It is weird, just because there's nobody [in the stands]."

Remember how exciting it was when Rusty Wallace earned his 50th win.

What an accomplishment for Kevin Harvick. He may surpass 60 when it’s all said and done. #NASCAR

— Jeff Kerr (@JeffKerrCBS) May 17, 2020

It was a dominant win for Harvick, who led for 123 laps, more than any other driver. Alex Bowman finished in second place, Kurt Busch took home third, and Chase Elliott and Denny Hamlin rounded out the top five. William Byron won the first stage, while Brad Keselowski took the second.

While Harvick celebrated Sunday, others lamented. The race was not without its crashes, as Ricky Stenhouse Jr. and Jimmie Johnson saw their afternoons end early in disappointing fashion.

Well, that was not ideal. @StenhouseJr crashes early in #TheRealHeroes 400. pic.twitter.com/sjJfazAZEU

— NASCAR (@NASCAR) May 17, 2020

Heartbreak for @JimmieJohnson!

The 4️⃣8️⃣ crashes while leading in #TheRealHeroes 400! pic.twitter.com/VCskH5nOlg

— NASCAR (@NASCAR) May 17, 2020

Take another look at what happened to @JimmieJohnson in the closing laps of Stage 1 at @TooToughToTame. pic.twitter.com/rInpuJ35v8

— NASCAR (@NASCAR) May 17, 2020

It was particularly deflating for Johnson, who was leading at the time.

"What I would do to get that corner back to do it over again."- Jimmie Johnson after his Darlington crash pic.twitter.com/S0TaXYdcXd

— FOX: NASCAR (@NASCARONFOX) May 17, 2020

😑 pic.twitter.com/hoRsa28SZj

— Jimmie Johnson (@JimmieJohnson) May 17, 2020

Byron also had some tough luck after his strong early start to the race.

Trouble for William Byron! Caution is out. pic.twitter.com/XDVCPejOen

— FOX: NASCAR (@NASCARONFOX) May 17, 2020

Overall, NASCAR will view Sunday's unprecedented event as a success. It was undoubtedly strange seeing a race take place without fans in attendance and crew members wearing masks, but after having eight previous events postponed because of the COVID-19 pandemic, those were necessary precautions and didn't hinder the race in the slightest. 

Racing fans better buckle up, because the action will be coming to their living rooms again soon, with the Darlington Cup Series taking place Wednesday, May 20, the Coca-Cola 600 Sunday, May 24 and the Charlotte Cup Series Wednesday, May 27. 

That's four races in 11 days, for those keeping track at home. After a long hiatus, the next week-and-a-half will be full of Cup Series action.