Kevin Harvick was so close to getting a victory in his final Cup Series season. So close, yet so far, as it later turned out that his runner-up finish was not to be.
Harvick was the first car across the line behind race winner Ryan Blaney on Sunday afternoon in the YellaWood 500 at Talladega.
NEWS: Kevin Harvick's No. 4 has been disqualified for violating windshield and overall assembled vehicle rules. Per NASCAR, the windshield fasteners must be secured through the entirety of the event.
— Kelly Crandall (@KellyCrandall) October 1, 2023
However, following post-race inspection, his No. 4 Ford Mustang was found to be in violation of Sections 14.5.6.2.F and 14.1.E and P of the NASCAR rule book, which states that "windshield fasteners must remain secure for the entire Event," with the latter section pertaining to "Overall Assembled Vehicle Rules."
The disqualification moved Harvick from second place to a 38th-place finish, and just adds to the rough final season for Harvick.
Harvick's crew chief, Rodney Childers, denied on social media that there was any intentional cheating social media, but his post was later removed.
"There have been times I've got caught doing something I shouldn't have...." Childers said. "got DQ'd for the car buffering in the draft all day and some windshield bolts vibrating out. My guys had silicon on the threads and gobbed on the tip. Still came out. Not sure what else we could do."
Whether unintentional or not, the No. 4 car violated the rule book. The team will have to move on, and for Harvick, it's definitely one of those 'could have been" days at Talladega.
With only five races left in his Cup career, there isn't much more time left for the 60-time winner and 2014 series champion to add another victory to his career.
