Controversy erupted at Texas Motor Speedway on Sunday as Kevin Harvick, a former NASCAR champion and current Fox analyst, drew sharp criticism for his response during a fiery incident involving Denny Hamlin. On Lap 75 of the 271-lap event, Hamlin’s #11 toyota/”>Toyota erupted in flames following an engine failure, forcing him out of the race and breaking his streak of 21 consecutive lead-lap finishes. While Hamlin exited his car safely and later visited the infield care center, viewers quickly turned their attention to the Fox broadcast—specifically, to the tone and approach taken by Kevin Harvick in the heat of the moment.
As flames billowed from beneath Hamlin’s car and thick smoke filled Turns 1 and 2, Harvick’s commentary was notably restrained.
Oh! Oh! And that is second caution of the day. This one for Denny Hamlin blowing up in flames,
Harvick remarked, pausing before adding,
Not the Texas barbecue the #11 team wanted to see.
Many felt the attempt at humor missed the severity of the situation. Clint Bowyer, Harvick’s booth partner, echoed the lack of urgency, simply stating, “He needs to stop,” before shifting the focus to reporter Jamie Little for an update.
Jamie Little relayed over the broadcast,
Yeah, he just came on the radio and said he lost power, and they told him to recycle the engine, and then just moments later, you saw the flames. And he just came on the radio and said, ‘Well, that was fun, fellas.’ So he is okay, as he climbs from the car right now.
Yet, even with confirmation of Hamlin’s safety, viewers expected more insight and context from Kevin Harvick, especially as the race’s narrative shifted dramatically.
The Fox booth’s lackluster response drew widespread ire on social platforms. One viewer commented,
Booth can’t call a cruise missile smashing into a 100 foot brick wall,
while another compared it unfavorably to Formula 1, stating,
The @F1 coverage makes @NASCARONFOX look soooo bad.
Anticipation for the Amazon Prime NASCAR broadcast ramped up, with fans venting their impatience:
this booth… my goodness can’t wait for prime to get here already.
Others highlighted the minimal reaction from Kevin Harvick and his colleagues, posting,
11 turns into a grenade and there’s crickets from the booth. 2 more races until Amazon Prime. Thank goodness.
Behind the scenes, key context went unaddressed on air, compounding frustration. Hamlin’s exit was not just dramatic, but significant—his first DNF of the season, ending a notable run of 21 consecutive lead-lap finishes. Earlier in the race, a miscommunication over the radio during a Lap 22 caution led Hamlin to stay out while most of the field pitted, a move that dropped him to 36th. By the time his engine failed, he had climbed back to 25th. Insights such as these were largely omitted, leaving viewers to fill in the gaps on social media and fan forums, and questioning why Kevin Harvick failed to capture the full magnitude of the moment.
Last season, many afforded Kevin Harvick some leeway as a rookie broadcaster. This year, however, expectations have shifted, making his muted response to a dramatic and pivotal incident harder to defend. Fans expect veteran insight and dynamic storytelling, particularly during incidents like Hamlin’s fire, where the stakes and emotions run high.
The broader implications from the Texas incident extend beyond Kevin Harvick’s reputation in the broadcast booth. With Denny Hamlin likely to lose his P3 position in the standings and widespread discussion about the importance of clear race communication, the event has reignited debate on the quality of NASCAR coverage. The upcoming transition to Amazon Prime’s coverage is now viewed by many as a fresh start, with hopes that a new team of commentators will blend rapid information with nuanced storytelling when high-stakes moments unfold.
What comes next may define not only Kevin Harvick’s trajectory as a broadcaster but also set the tone for how NASCAR audiences experience the sport. As fans continue to express their disappointment and cite specific shortcomings, the expectation for elevated, more engaged commentary will persist well into the remaining races of the season.
