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FIRST CUP SERIES VICTORY Jeff Gordon was Harvick’s main opponent to beat in the 2001 Cracker Barrel Old Country Store 500 at Atlanta Motor Speedway. Gordon had won the previous week in Las Vegas and was fast again during qualifying in Atlanta. This was just Harvick’s third career Cup Series start, and the then three-time Cup Series champion Gordon and his car were again performing at championship level. Harvick started strong and, in fact, ran ahead of Gordon from the third lap on. With five laps to go, the rookie driver was running third, with Gordon lurking in fifth. That’s when Harvick decided to make his move, passing two cars to take the lead. Gordon had to scramble to stay close, moving up to second with three laps remaining. On the last lap, Gordon tried to catch him on the straightaway, but Harvick was just far enough ahead, winning by .006 seconds, the second-closest NASCAR finish ever.

Kevin Harvick secured his first Cup Series win in dramatic fashion.

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