Kevin Harvick Insights: Persistent challenges surrounding the Next Gen car have persistently troubled NASCAR for the past couple of seasons. However, the governing body is actively engaged in addressing these issues. Yet, according to retired Cup Series driver Kevin Harvick, significant problems require reevaluation and a return to the drawing board. Notably, one such issue revolves around the short-track package.
In a recent conversation with Dale Earnhardt Jr. on his podcast, the 2014 Cup Series champion shared insights, mentioning, Theyre gonna take a big swing at it. I think theyre going to take a big swing at it at the Phoenix test and really try to wrangle the short track system back into where it needs to be, the short track package.
Discussing the tire test at Martinsville and its substantial impact, Harvick pointed out, I think that the tire is definitely involved in a lot of it. But I dont think it, I think a lot of times what has happened is we go softer on the tire and the tire goes faster and lasts longer. So then it confuses everybody.
Okay, we made the tire softer. We put more heat in the tire and but the tire went further, and the tire went faster, lasted longer, and fell off less. So I think you know, I think everybody is wanting to go back to the drawing board and take a bigger I think they want to take bigger swings at it and I think they need to take bigger swings at it.
Delving deeper into the conversation, Harvick expressed concerns regarding the power within the racecar. He acknowledged the complexity behind merely asking for increased horsepower, understanding the broader strategy to attract more manufacturers and individuals.
But if that race car would blow the back tires off of it and you had to think about putting that throttle down. It would change the way that you race and it would change the way that the tires were. It would just change so much because when we went to this new style car.
Harvick recounted an incident at Charlotte, revealing a testing bottleneck where they had liberty to explore. They collaborated with Doug Yates and implemented an intake spacer larger than the usual 550 horsepower, boosting it to 750 horsepower.
This tweak notably elevated the car’s speed, leaving everyone perplexed. The modified spacer facilitated better maneuverability on the track, ultimately enhancing the cars performance.
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Our Reader’s Queries
Is Kevin Harvick good?
The 29 car has a rich history in NASCAR, with notable wins including the 2001 Atlanta race, the Daytona 500, two Coke 600 victories, and the first Brickyard 400. Of the 40 total wins for the 29 car, Kevin Harvick has claimed an impressive 23. However, Harvick’s most successful stint was with the 4 car, where he secured an impressive 37 wins, including a career-high of 9 in 2020.
What happened to Harvick?
Stewart-Haas Racing’s Ford, driven by Harvick, was found to have violated NASCAR’s rulebook regarding the windshield and overall vehicle assembly. The fasteners on the windshield were not properly secured, resulting in Harvick being disqualified and placed last in the 38-car field.
What are some fun facts about Kevin Harvick?
In high school, he took up wrestling during the winter months and even won a section title in his weight class as a senior. As a driver, he quickly made a name for himself with his aggressive and hard-nosed style, earning the nicknames “Bakersfield Burner” and “Happy.” He was recognized for his talent early on, being named NASCAR Busch Series Rookie of the Year in 2001.
Is Harvick retiring?
This weekend marks the end of an era as Kevin Harvick, a prominent figure in the NASCAR Cup Series, will retire from full-time racing at Phoenix Raceway. His departure will undoubtedly leave a void in the racing world, as he has been a force to be reckoned with throughout his career. However, Harvick’s legacy will live on, and his contributions to the sport will not be forgotten. As we bid farewell to this racing legend, we wish him all the best in his future endeavors.