Kevin Harvick Wins at Darlington, NASCAR's 1st Race in Return from COVID-19

NASCAR is back. And Kevin Harvick welcomed its return with a win at The Real Heroes 400 at Darlington Raceway on Sunday. 

Not only was it a special day for NASCAR fans, having racing back on their televisions, but it was also a milestone for Harvick, who became just the 14th driver in NASCAR history to win 50 races. 

"It's a pretty big honor to win 50 races in this deal," Harvick said after his victory. 

Harvick added that winning without any fans in attendance was a much different experience than his past 49 wins.

"Man, I'm excited," he said. "It is weird, just because there's nobody [in the stands]."

It was a dominant win for Harvick, who led for 123 laps, more than any other driver. Alex Bowman finished in second place, Kurt Busch took home third, and Chase Elliott and Denny Hamlin rounded out the top five. William Byron won the first stage, while Brad Keselowski took the second.

While Harvick celebrated Sunday, others lamented. The race was not without its crashes, as Ricky Stenhouse Jr. and Jimmie Johnson saw their afternoons end early in disappointing fashion.

It was particularly deflating for Johnson, who was leading at the time.

Byron also had some tough luck after his strong early start to the race.

Overall, NASCAR will view Sunday's unprecedented event as a success. It was undoubtedly strange seeing a race take place without fans in attendance and crew members wearing masks, but after having eight previous events postponed because of the COVID-19 pandemic, those were necessary precautions and didn't hinder the race in the slightest. 

Racing fans better buckle up, because the action will be coming to their living rooms again soon, with the Darlington Cup Series taking place Wednesday, May 20, the Coca-Cola 600 Sunday, May 24 and the Charlotte Cup Series Wednesday, May 27. 

That's four races in 11 days, for those keeping track at home. After a long hiatus, the next week-and-a-half will be full of Cup Series action.