DARLINGTON, S.C. The win by Kevin Harvick in NASCAR's return to racing over the weekend was a bit predictable considering the enormous task teams are facing in a flurry of rescheduled events.
Harvick, a former series champion and former winner at Darlington Raceway, was also the points leader through the first four events.
He will try for the sweep when NASCAR returns to Darlington for its first Cup race on a Wednesday since 1984, when Richard Petty scored his 200th and final victory.
This anticipated midweek race is just 300 miles 100 fewer than Sunday's return race, and the same distance as next week's junior series Xfinity Series race at Charlotte but still will start a test of stamina.
The Cup Series will race for a third time in a week this Sunday in the Coca-Cola 600, the longest race on the schedule.