Kevin Harvick and Ryan Blaney had a photo finish to end Sunday’s YellaWood 500 at Talladega Superspeedway. But Harvick’s day did not end with a second-place finish, and that’s because of a violation.
Harvick crossed the finish line just 0.012 seconds behind Blaney in one of the closest races of the season.
PHOTO FINISH at @Talladega!
Ryan @Blaney beats Kevin Harvick by 0.012 seconds. #NASCARPlayoffs pic.twitter.com/4UAx7T8NAK
— NASCAR on NBC (@NASCARonNBC) October 1, 2023
However, Harvick’s No. 4 Ford for Stewart-Haas Racing was disqualified for violating windshield and overall assembled vehicle rules under Sections 14.5.6.2.F and 14.1.E and P.
NEWS: Kevin Harvick's No. 4 has been disqualified for violating windshield and overall assembled vehicle rules. Per NASCAR, the windshield fasteners must be secured through the entirety of the event.
— Kelly Crandall (@KellyCrandall) October 1, 2023
Harvick’s car was deemed to have had unsecured windshield fasteners during the race. His Ford was the lone vehicle flagged for any infractions during the post-race inspection.
The disqualification dropped Harvick to a last-place finish in his final Talladega race. The 47-year-old veteran is expected to retire at season’s end.
All other finishers were moved up one spot, with William Byron’s No. 24 Chevrolet for Hendrick Motorsports getting the bump up to second place.
Harvick previously won a Cup Series race at Talladega in 2010. Harvick has 60 wins in his Cup Series career.
