NASCAR Sprint Cup Series - Phoenix 500
March 3, 2013, Phoenix International Raceway

Kevin Harvick and the No. 29 Jimmy John's team battled handling issues which resulted in a 13th-place finish at Phoenix International Raceway on Sunday afternoon. Harvick started the race from the seventh position and was a fixture in the top 10 for the majority of the scheduled 312-lap event while battling a loose-handling condition. The Gil Martin-led pit crew made several two and four-tire pit stops along with chassis adjustments to help alleviate the issue. During the late stages of the event, the Bakersfield, Calif., native informed the team that the Jimmy John's Chevrolet SS was as loose as it had been all day, as he began to slip back in the field. Harvick was scored in the 10th position for the green-white-checkered finish, but was shuffled backward, ultimately crossing the finish line 13th.

This was a tough one for the Jimmy John's team today. We had a great qualifying effort and had high hopes for this race after our win here last fall. With the changing track conditions, we just couldn't find the right setup to get the car handling like we needed and couldn't get to the front. We'll put this race behind us and move on to Vegas. - Kevin Harvick

Race Notes

• Started - 7th, Finished - 13th,  Laps led - 0, Points - 30th
• RCR drivers made a total of 105 Green-Flag Passes, with Harvick completing 22.
• All three RCR drivers placed in the top 10 for Quality Passes: Harvick was 3rd with 22.
• Collectively, RCR drivers posted 19 of the Fastest-Laps Run with Harvick leading the group with 12.
• Harvick was the only driver in the 43-car field to complete 100 percent of the Laps in the Top 15.