Kevin Harvick holds his with son, Keelan, as they greet fans during driver introductions before the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series auto race in Homestead, Fla., Sunday, Nov. 17, 2013. (AP Photo/J Pat Carter) (The Associated Press)
HOMESTEAD, Fla. – Kevin Harvick refused to give up this season, his last with Richard Childress Racing.
His final race was no different as he battled an ill-handling race car at Homestead-Miami Speedway.
Harvick pulled out a 10th-place finish Sunday to salvage his final run in the No. 29 Chevrolet. He entered the finale in mathematical contention to win the Sprint Cup title, but needed a failure from Jimmie Johnson to have a realistic shot.
Instead, Johnson finished ninth to wrap up his sixth championship.
Harvick wound up third in the final standings, 34 points behind Johnson. Matt Kenseth was the runner-up.
Harvick is moving to Stewart-Haas Racing next year after 14 seasons with RCR.
Receive your weekly recap of all the happenings around the world of sports.