The 2017 Winston Cup Series: Kevin Harvick is back!

Kevin Harvick celebrates after winning the AAA Texas 500.

     Kevin Harvick turned heads with a victory at Texas Sunday afternoon. 'Happy Harvick' passed Martin Truex Jr. for the lead in the final stages of the AAA Texas 500, for his second win of 2017. It's well deserved for the driver 3rd in classic points, and who in real life, just locked himself in to the "Championship 4" at Homestead. Not only that, but Harvick put Ford in victory lane, in a season dominated by Toyota, especially at the 1.5 mile tracks. He finished ahead of three Toyotas, those of Truex Jr., Denny Hamlin, and Matt Kenseth. Texas is Harvick's first win since he smoked the field at Sonoma, also run in his Mobil 1 sponsored Ford. He's driven so much better than a one-win season this year, and finally has that 2nd victory.

     With two races to go in the 2017 Cup season, Truex Jr. has all but locked-up his first classic points title. Truex finished 2nd at Texas, while Kyle Busch finished 18th. With the classic system I've used, the maximum points a driver can get in one race is 45. With that, Truex Jr. just needs a solid run at Phoenix to capture that championship. This just goes to show that the 78 has been THAT good.

Matt Kenseth in his familiar #17 Dewalt Ford from the 2000's

     The big news this week is Matt Kenseth's decision to step away from NASCAR in 2018. While Kenseth won't call it "retirement," he won't be back in a familiar full-time ride next season. Even though Kenseth could extend his career like the Labonte brothers, and other veterans who took up part-time rides, he'll certainly be past his prime.
     Kenseth was my favorite driver growing up. I remember his series-leading five wins in 2002, and his 2003 championship, the last before the switch to the "Chase" era. He was the last driver to officially win a title on full-season consistency, and should be proud of it. It's going to be a real turning point to see both Kenseth AND Dale Earnhardt Jr. walk away from the sport at the same time. They were two staple 'young guns' of the early 2000's. This will likely leave only five full-time drivers from the Winston Cup era: Harvick, Jimmie Johnson, Ryan Newman, Kurt Busch, and Jamie McMurray.
     This made Harvick's win at Texas even more significant. Harvick, now 41, is reaching the later stages of his career. He put a stamp on Texas, proving the older guys can still get it done.

Kevin Harvick takes the lead from Martin Truex Jr. in the closing laps at Texas. Harvick led only 38 laps on the day, Truex led 107.

     Next week, the Cup drivers head to Phoenix, as the sun begins to set on the 2017 season. This is Harvick's best track, with a record eight wins out in the desert... Other drivers to watch here include Jimmy Johnson, and Joey Logano who won the November race at Phoenix last year. Let's see if Truex Jr. can lock up that classic title...