Kevin Harvick Wins NASCAR All-Star Challenge

It was Harvick's first NASCAR NEXTEL All-Star Challenge victory.

Photo: lowesmotorspeedway.com

CONCORD, N.C. - Kevin Harvick captured one of the biggest wins of his career on Saturday night with a thrilling victory in the NASCAR NEXTEL All-Star Challenge.

The win allowed Harvick to bank $1 million for his efforts as he held off a late charge from last year's winner Jimmie Johnson.

It was Harvick's first NASCAR NEXTEL All-Star Challenge victory.

The top-five was rounded out by Mark Martin, Jeff Burton and Tony Stewart.

Winner Kevin Harvick:

"We were good all night. We brought back a different body this year. This All-Star is a lot of fun. You know, DeLana [my wife] told me before the race that I was going to win."

Second Place - Jimmie Johnson:

"We got close to that first place in the last few laps. Our cars were about equal. Threw a lot at him, but just came up a little short. I'm a little disappointed on how we got started. We started off a little slow. I got really tight on that first run. Looking to the 600 next week, I'm ready to come back and get started."

Third Place - Mark Martin

"Started in the back and came up a little short after working our way to the front and getting some track position. This format is not my style. I'm not much of a short-distance racer. I'm more of a long-distance racer. The three cars there at the end were about equal. My specialty is a little more than 20 laps. There are a lot of good cars to contend with for the 600 next week."

NASCAR NEXTEL All-Star Challenge Results

FIN ST CAR DRIVER MAKE SPONSOR PTS/BNS LAPS STATUS

1. 4 29 Kevin Harvick Chevrolet Pennzoil Platinum / Shell PE 80 Running

2. 2 48 Jimmie Johnson Chevrolet Lowe's / Power of Pride PE 80 Running

3. 18 01 Mark Martin Chevrolet U.S. Army PE 80 Running

4. 5 31 Jeff Burton Chevrolet AT&T PE 80 Running

5. 17 20 Tony Stewart Chevrolet The Home Depot PE 80 Running

6. 20 70 Johnny Sauter Chevrolet Yellow Trans. / Haas Automation PE 80 Running

7. 1 17 Matt Kenseth Ford DEWALT PE 80 Running

8. 8 12 Ryan Newman Dodge ALLTEL PE 80 Running

9. 10 8 Dale Earnhardt Jr. Chevrolet Budweiser PE 80 Running

10. 19 1 Martin Truex Jr. Chevrolet Bass Pro Shops / Tracker PE 80 Running

11. 7 24 Jeff Gordon Chevrolet DuPont Performance Alliance PE 80 Running

12. 13 44 Dale Jarrett Toyota UPS PE 80 Running

13. 14 83 Brian Vickers Toyota Red Bull PE 80 Running

14. 11 9 Kasey Kahne Dodge Dodge Dealers / UAW PE 80 Running

15. 12 16 Greg Biffle Ford Ameriquest PE 80 Running

16. 21 78 Kenny Wallace Chevrolet Furniture Row Racing PE 80 Running

17. 9 11 Denny Hamlin Chevrolet FedEx Freight PE 63 Out of Race

18. 16 25 Casey Mears Chevrolet National Guard / GMAC PE 63 Out of Race

19. 3 2 Kurt Busch Dodge Miller Lite World Beer Cup PE 62 Out of Race

20. 6 5 Kyle Busch Chevrolet Kellogg's / CARQUEST PE 62 Out of Race

21. 15 43 Bobby Labonte Dodge Cheerios / Betty Crocker PE 41 Out of Race

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