Nascar – Harvick hits Montoya on the post at Richmond

It was an outing that restarted everything. When Brian Vickers hits the wall at turn 3 during the 396th of the 406 laps of the Toyota Owners 400 of Richmond, the race management had no choice but to wave the yellow flag, which caused the 11th neutralization of the event. All the drivers then take the opportunity to enter the pits. Juan-Pablo Montoya (Earnhardt Ganassi Racing), then leader, thought he had his first victory on an oval when he entered the pit lane, having won twice since his debut in 2 but only on road circuits. But his stop went less well than that of his opponents, and he had to be content with a fourth place finish.

Discreet since the start of the season, Kevin Harvick has only led three laps in Virginia. But he did it at the best time. By just ahead, 0?343, Clint Bowyer, second, the Richard Childress Racing driver scored his first victory of the season, the 20th of his career.

As for the “tenors”, the race was complicated. Reigning champion Brad Keselowski finished 33rd several laps behind, hit during a pileup which also impacted Kyles, and the leader of the Drivers classification, Jimmie Johnson. But despite his worries, the Hendrick Motorsport driver and five-time champion of the discipline increases his lead at the top of the championship and is now 43 points ahead of his runner-up, Carl Edwards.