JR Motorsports Race Report
Saturday, April 16, 2016
Race 7 of 33: Fitzgerald Glider Kits 300 at Bristol Motor Speedway
Track Specs: 0.533-mile oval / 200 laps (Main)
Weather: Sunny; 72 degrees
Race Winner: Erik Jones
Harvick’s finish: 8th
Kevin Harvick, driver of the No. 88 Hunt Brothers Pizza Chevrolet, captured his second top-10 effort of the 2016 season by finishing eighth in Saturday’s Fitzgerald Glider Kits 300 at Bristol Motor Speedway.
The Hunt Brothers Pizza Chevrolet qualified 12th on Saturday morning, placing the team in the second heat race. After starting from the sixth position in the heat, Harvick gained one position and finished fifth. By finishing fifth, that placed Harvick in the 10th starting spot for the Main race.
When an early caution came out on lap 38, Harvick radioed in and reported that his Hunt Brothers Pizza Chevrolet was too tight. The team came to pit road for four tires, fuel and a wedge adjustment to help free up the car. On lap 69, the California native was running in the eighth position and quiet on the radio.
Harvick was running in the ninth position when the second caution flag waved on lap 125. The driver reported that his No. 88 Hunt Brothers Pizza Chevrolet was still on the tight side and the backend was starting to hop. The team opted to come to pit road for four tires, fuel and an adjustment.
Restarting in the seventh spot, Harvick maintained his position and was quiet on the radio. When the final caution flag waved with 13 laps to go, Harvick radioed in and reported that the left rear tire was smoking. The team received confirmation from the spotter that his tire looked good from up top and they elected to stay out and maintain track position.
After a late race pass by Ty Dillion, Harvick brought the No. 88 Hunt Brothers Pizza Chevrolet home in the eighth position.
Erik Jones claimed the victory and was followed to the checkered flag by Kyle Busch, Kyle Larson, Austin Dillon, and fifth-place Justin Allgaier.
Dave Elenz, crew chief No. 88 Hunt Brothers Pizza Chevrolet team
“We didn’t get the outcome that we wanted today in our Hunt Brothers Pizza Chevrolet. The car was fast, but we got behind a slow car leaving pit road and that set us back a little. Unfortunately, it took us the remainder of the race to bounce back. It wasn’t a great day with track position overall, but everyone continued to do a great job.”