Kevin Harvick captured the NASCAR Sprint Cup yesterday by winning the season-ending Ford EcoBoost 400 at Homestead-Miami Speedway. ESPN.com's John Oreovicz writes, "After 10 months of speculation, analysis and criticism, the revised, elimination-style Chase for the Sprint Cup format actually produced the thrilling, winner-takes-all-finale that NASCAR hoped for" (ESPN.com, 11/16). USA TODAY's Nate Ryan writes it was a "validating night" for NASCAR Chair & CEO Brian France, "whose gamble to overhaul his sport's championship philosophy ... worked – at least in its first year" (USA TODAY, 11/17).
Charlotte Observer, A1 above the fold, “Hard-Charging Harvick Wins Chase” … Miami Herald, center A1, “Twice A Winner” … Bakersfield Californian (Harvick's hometown paper), A1, “Champ!”
Mobil 1, which sponsors both Harvick's ride and NASCAR as a whole, runs a full-page ad in USA Today congratulating the driver: "The Last 1 Standing." FedEx runs a full-page ad in USA Today congratulating Chase finalist Denny Hamlin: "Thank You, Denny, From All 300,000 Members Of Your Crew" (THE DAILY).
