NASCAR Nationwide Series at Atlanta Motor Speedway results: Kevin Harvick cruises to win

Leaving no doubt who had the best car, Kevin Harvick stormed to a dominant Nationwide Series victory Saturday at Atlanta Motor Speedway.

Harvick never relinquished the lead after passing pole-sitter Chase Elliott on Lap 37 -- the only lead of the night -- and was out front for the final 159 circuits. It was Harvick’s third series victory of the year and 43rd overall.

“This thing was bad fast from the drop of the green flag,” Harvick said in Victory Lane. “It’s just one of those race tracks where I like the challenge of everything you get to do here.”

Joey Logano finished a distant second, with Kyla Larson in third and Kyle Busch fourth. Asked if he had a chance to catch and pass Harvick, Logano was blunt with his assessment.

“He was better everywhere,” Logano said.

A teammate of Harvick’s, Elliott looked like he was going to make it a 1-2 result for JR Motorsports. But Elliott slid through his stall on the last pit stops of the night and fell to fifth.

“I made a mistake, absolutely unacceptable and you can’t do that,” Elliott said. “That’s disappointing. I’m frustrated with myself because my guys deserved to finish second tonight and I didn’t get the job done for them.”

Because of Harvick’s blistering pace only nine drivers finished on the lead lap. Regan Smith, Brian Scott, David Ragan, Ty Dillon and Elliott Sadler completed the top 10 finishers.

Elliott continues to lead the standings over Smith, also driving for JRM. With 10 races remaining Elliott holds a 13-point advantage. The 18-year-old is attempting to become the first rookie to win the Nationwide championship.