Kevin Harvick entered the Xfinity 500 at Martinsville on Sunday in great shape. His 42-point safety net above the cut line seemed sufficient to join the Championship 4 at Phoenix with ease.
But Harvick's shaky performance through the first two stages of the race ruined what had been a dominant season and kept him from contending for the Cup Series title. The elimination was a stunner considering how well he had performed in 2020.
Harvick struggled in Stage 1 before encountering disaster in Stage 2 in the form of a flat tire that put him two laps back of the field.
He battled back but could not finish the job, falling short with a desperate last-ditch move before the finish line.
One last effort ... and then heartbreak for @KevinHarvick.
— NASCAR (@NASCAR) November 1, 2020
He will miss the #Championship4 in 2020. pic.twitter.com/taDnZfdgeb
Needed one point.@KevinHarvick couldn't get there to advance! #Xfinity500 pic.twitter.com/t0YoXHypyR
— Xfinity Racing (@XfinityRacing) November 1, 2020
MORE: Chase Elliott feuds with Joey Logano
Below is a live breakdown of whether Harvick is in or out that will be updated through the conclusion of the Xfinity 500:
Will Kevin Harvick be eliminated at Martinsville?
Yes, Harvick was eliminated from Cup Series contention, finishing outside the top four.
How many wins does Kevin Harvick have this season?
Harvick won nine races in 2020, the most by any driver in the Cup Series, and accumulated 20 top-five finishes.