Harvick Wins Kroger 250

Kevin Harvick recently declared Martinsville Speedway his “hometown” track. Monday afternoon he won one for the hometown folks.

Harvick took the lead from Kyle Busch on lap 242 and then held off teammate Ron Hornaday for his fourth career NASCAR Camping World Truck Series victory.

Harvick is originally from Bakersfield, CA, but now lives in North Carolina, about 35 miles from the historic Virginia track. Many of his employees are also from close proximity to the track.

“There are a lot of fans that come to our shop, a lot of people from the community that work at our shop from around this area,” said Harvick, a regular on the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series. “We have some people that work for us from Martinsville and to come here and win … this is our home track. We’re 35 minutes from here and it’s fun when you can have all of your family and friends come here and watch.”

Harvick finished .609 seconds ahead of Hornaday, followed by Mike Skinner, Johnny Benson and pole-sitter Rick Crawford. Harvick and Hornaday drove Chevrolets, Skinner and Benson Toyotas and Crawford a Ford.

Not only are Harvick and Hornaday teammates, Harvick owns the team, meaning Hornaday was chasing his boss at the end.

 “I knew the boss wasn’t going to do nothing to mix up things on the (last) restart,” said Hornaday. “But one more lap and I might have had to move him (out of the way) for the win.”

The win was Harvick’s first victory at Martinsville Speedway and his fourth top-10 finish in 14 races on the half-mile track. It was his first victory and second top-10 finish in 2009.

NASCAR Sprint Cup and Camping World Truck Series action returns to Martinsville Speedway October 23-25 with the Tums Fast Relief 500/Kroger 200 weekend. Tickets for both events are on sale and may be purchased by calling 1.800.RACE.TIX or visiting martinsvillespeedway.com.