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Kevin Harvick reacts to Toyota coming to play at Gateway, missed Bubba Wallace opportunity

Brian Jones Profile Picby: Brian Jones21 hours agobrianjones_93
Bubba Wallace (35)
Joe Puetz-Imagn Images

Kevin Harvick liked what he saw from the Toyota cars and Bubba Wallace at the NASCAR Cup Series Playoff race at Gateway on Sunday. On Kevin Harvick’s Happy Hour, Harvick shared his thoughts on the Toyota cars and Wallace at the second playoff race of the year.

“All four Joe Gibbs cars were in the top 10,” Kevin Harvick said. “Bubba Wallace had a chance to win the race. If he doesn’t miss that shift, he had control of the race. I don’t know what happened to the shifter or why it got hung up or whatever the scenario is there.

“I think when you look at the 23 car (Wallace), really fast, Tyler Reddick ran in the top 10, John Hunter Nemechek was in the top 10. I’m just telling you the Toyotas came to play. Typically, in the past, we’ve seen the Penske cars, the ones that step up going to the playoffs. The JGR, or the Toyotas, were already in a position to be fast, but they seem to be the ones that have stepped up to the plate once the playoffs have started.”

Toyota has won 200 NASCAR races

The Toyota drivers who finished in the top 10 at Gateway were Denny Hamlin (first), Chase Briscoe (second), Nemechek (sixth), Christopher Bell (seventh), Wallace (eighth) and Ty Gibbs (10th). Hamlin, Briscoe, Bell and Gibbs drive for JGR, Wallace drives for 23XI Racing (which is co-owned by Hamlin) and Nemechek drives for Legacy Motor Club.

Hamlin’s win on Sunday was big for Toyota, as it was the 200th victory for the manufacturer. After the Gateway race, Joe Gibbs Racing founder Joe Gibbs talked about his team earning the win.

“Really, for the last two weeks, been proud of our team. I was proud of all of our cars today,” Gibbs said. “They were fast, up front. That says a lot for everybody back home that does all that work. Tomorrow we’ll hang a banner, thank all of them. It’s just become a real tradition for us. Just really appreciate it.”

Of the Toyota drivers who finished in the top 10 at Gateway, four are currently competing in the playoffs. Hamlin and Briscoe clinched a spot in the second round. Wallace is in fourth place in the playoff standings and Bell is in eighth place.