On the first lap of the race at Pocono on Sunday, Kevin Harvick was involved in some light contact that sent him spinning.

“I was just up underneath somebody and I think the No. 78 [of Nemechek] just got in the back there and we all kind of got jammed up,” Harvick said. “I don’t know if it was anybody’s fault or not. But it worked out good. We were able to work on our car early and make it better and we just kept making it better all day.”

Such a happening could destroy the driver in the 13th spot in the points standings prior to the race, with just five races remaining until the Chase for the Sprint Cup is kicked off.

The No. 29 RCR team rebounded from the collision and Harvick traversed his way back into the Top-5 by the time the checkered flag was waved.

Harvick’s finish elevated himself two spots in the standings to 11th. Despite the importance of the points system Harvick claims that he does not keep up with that information, noting that strong performances will put him in the position he needs to be in come New Hampshire.

“I don’t really follow [the points] too closely just for the fact that you go out and race as hard as you can, and you want to try to win every week and if you can’t win, do the best you can,” Harvick said. “And wherever that puts us is what you do.”

Overcoming his misfortunes from the opening lap, Harvick was able to cross the finish line in the fourth position. An elated Harvick affirmed, “To come to Pocono and finish in the top five is a huge accomplishment for me.”

If he continues to operate the way he did on Sunday, making the Chase should not be a problem for the No. 29 team.