(Chris Graythen/Getty Images)
Kevin Harvick (No. 4 Stewart-Haas Racing Ford) beat Alex Bowman (No. 88 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet) to win NASCAR’s first race back at Darlington Raceway on Sunday. The race came after a ten-week forced layoff due to the coronavirus. Kurt Busch (No. 1 Chip Ganassi Racing Chevrolet) finished third. The race was conducted without spectators in attendance and with strict social distancing protocols in place. “I just want to thank everybody from NASCAR and all the teams for letting us do what we do,” Harvick said. “I didn’t think it was going to be that different, then we won and it’s dead silent out here. We miss the fans.” Harvick led 159 of the 293 laps and took his final lead following a caution on Lap 254. He and Bowman battled side-by-side on the restart before Harvick pulled away over the final 30 laps. The win was Harvick's second at Darlington and his first of the 2020 season. Harvick became the 14th driver to earn 50 career Cup Series victories, tying Hall of Famers Ned Jarrett and Junior Johnson on the all-time list. Harvick is the only drive to finish in the top 10 in each of the Cup Series’ five races this season. Next up for the NASCAR Cup Series is Wednesday night’s Toyota 500 (300k) at Darlington (7:30 p.m. ET on FS1, MRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio). Thanks to USA Today and NASCAR Media.