Photo: Wiley-X
Wiley X-sponsored racer Kevin Harvick was a heavy favorite going into the Good Sam 500 Sprint Cup Series race at Phoenix International Raceway, and for good reason. Harvick has now won eight times at this one-mile desert track and five times in his past six starts since joining Stewart-Haas Racing.
This one, however, had to be the most rewarding — and was certainly the most exciting for NASCAR fans in the stands and watching on television around the world. After a late caution flag on lap 305, there was a restart on Lap 312 (the scheduled final lap of the race). This effectively turned the race into a final, one-extra-lap "overtime" for all the marbles, with fellow Wiley X-sponsored driver and perennial fan favorite Carl Edwards hot on Harvick's bumper.
Harvick knew it was going to take everything he and his car had to give to hold off the hard-charging Edwards and maintain his record of dominance at Phoenix. Edwards made the move both drivers were expecting and everybody held their collective breath as both drivers got into each other's doors during the final half-lap. They were practically still rubbing as they crossed the stripe, so close together a winner couldn't be determined with the naked eye. The photo finish showed that Harvick beat Edwards to the checkered flag by .010 of a second (roughly four inches), making it the closest finish in track history.
"As racing enthusiasts, this was thrilling for us to watch," said Wiley X Co-Owner Myles Freeman, Jr. "We couldn't be more proud of Kevin and Carl and how hard they each fought to win for their fans. They are both great competitors and excellent representatives for our brand. We can't wait to see what excitement lies ahead as the rest of the NASCAR season unfolds," added Freeman.
Although it's early in the Sprint Cup Championship Series season, Wiley X is very pleased with how its drivers have performed so far. Harvick left Phoenix tied for the series lead with Kyle Busch, with Harvick holding the tiebreaker on the strength of his first victory of the season. Edwards is currently fifth in the standings and Joey Logano, also sponsored by Wiley X, is close behind him in seventh.
Top NASCAR drivers depend on the clear vision and advanced protection Wiley X sunglasses provide, whether they're competing on the track or enjoying everyday life. Every adult Wiley X sunglass meets ANSI Z87.1 High Velocity and High Mass Impact Safety Standards for OSHA-rated vision protection. Several models also meet U.S. military MIL-PRF-32432 (GL) standards for ballistic eye protection, a key reason why the company is a long-time provider of vision protection gear to the U.S. military, law enforcement and other tactical users.
To follow the excitement and racing action of Wiley X sponsored drivers during the 2016 race to the championship — or learn more about Wiley X's complete line of advanced eyewear products providing wearers with Absolute Premium Protection — visit www.wileyx.com. Or contact Wiley X at 7800 Patterson Pass Road, Livermore, CA 94550 • Telephone: (800) 776-7842.
