JR Motorsports Race Report
Saturday, March 19, 2016
Race 5 of 33: TreatMyClot.com 300 at Auto Club Speedway
Track Specs: 2-mile D-shaped oval/ 150 laps
Weather: Sunny; 75 degrees
Race Winner: Austin Dillon
Harvick’s finish: 6th
Kevin Harvick and the No. 88 Armour Nalley Chili team overcame handling issues throughout the TreatMyClot.com 300 to bring home a sixth-place finish at Auto Club Speedway.
Starting the 150-lap race in 17th, Harvick quickly came on the radio, while running 12th, to report that his Chevrolet was loose. When an early caution waved, the No. 88 Chevy came to pit road for fuel only and a track bar adjustment. When the team came to pit road one lap later for four sticker tires, they were involved in a pit road incident that caused minor damage to the right side.
On lap 28, Harvick reported that his Chevrolet was ill handling on exit and under caution came to pit road for four tires, fuel and an additional track bar adjustment. Running 13th on lap 45, the Bakersfield, Calif. native radioed that his car was tight. Two laps later, Harvick came to pit road for four tires, fuel and an adjustment.
After pitting on lap 72 for an additional track bar adjustment, Harvick radioed to the team that his No. 88 Armour Nalley Chili Chevrolet was the best that it had been all day. The driver was quiet on the radio during the next green flag run, but reported on lap 117 that the team was on the other side of the problem and reported loose conditions.
Running in the seventh position on lap 137, Harvick came over the radio and reported that his Chevrolet was a little loose. With a last lap pass, the No. 88 Armour Nalley Chili would advance one position to finish the 300-mile race in the sixth position.
Austin Dillon claimed the victory and was followed to the checkered flag by Kyle Busch, Darrell Wallace Jr., Daniel Suarez, and fifth-place Elliott Sadler.
Dave Elenz, crew chief No. 88 Armour Nalley Chili Chevrolet team
“This wasn’t the day that we wanted for our No. 88 Armour Nalley Chili Chevrolet. We battled loose and tight conditions throughout the race. The incident on pit road caused some right side damage, which didn’t help our day. When we got the car to where it was handling better for Kevin (Harvick), it was too late in the race. With two weeks off, we will go back to the shop and get ready for Texas.”