Kevin Harvick, one of NASCAR’s most celebrated drivers, took a firm stance this weekend by criticizing NASCAR’s decision to end a longstanding Texas Motor Speedway tradition, where winners once fired ceremonial guns in Victory Lane. Amid celebrations of his own induction into the Texas Motorsports Hall of Fame, Harvick, 49, openly challenged NASCAR’s recent actions, saying the sport had gotten “soft” by abandoning the iconic post-race ritual. His remarks come as NASCAR enforces more restrictions on gun-related activities and sponsorships at its events, sparking debate among fans and the broader racing community.
The tradition at Texas Motor Speedway has long been a vivid part of its identity. Drivers who conquered the track would don the famous cowboy hat and fire replica six-shooters, a spectacle that captured the spirit of Lone Star racing for both competitors and fans. Kevin Harvick knows the ritual well—after winning three races at Texas, he celebrated each with the hat and guns, creating memorable moments for the sport and its followers.
Yet, changes in NASCAR policy have curtailed any exposure to guns or rifles at events, including a 2019 move banning sponsorships promoting modern firearms. The shift signals NASCAR’s response to changing social attitudes, but for Harvick, the decision crosses a line, erasing tradition in favor of what he calls excessive caution. In a pointed statement, Kevin Harvick voiced his displeasure:
We don’t shoot guns anymore. We got a little soft, as we went through the years, so we quit shooting the guns. Not sure why. We need to get back to shooting the guns. Shoot the guns in Victory Lane. We’re NASCAR, we shouldn’t be soft.
The reactions to NASCAR’s policy shift are deeply mixed. For many supporters of the sport and Texas culture, the gun ceremony symbolized achievement and local heritage rather than controversy. Harvick’s words echo the sentiment of longtime fans who grew to love these traditions alongside their favorite drivers. Still, for now, the gun ritual remains absent from Victory Lane, with little expectation for its return at upcoming races. Only a significant outcry or shift in public opinion seems likely to spark serious reconsideration by NASCAR’s leaders.
Kevin Harvick’s voice carries weight within the NASCAR world, boosted further by his recent Hall of Fame induction at Texas Motor Speedway. With a storied record—three Cup Series wins, five Xfinity victories, and a Truck Series triumph at the Texas track—Harvick’s connection to the venue runs deep. During his Hall of Fame ceremony, he reflected fondly on his experiences and the support he received from Speedway Motorsports Incorporated, saying,
Anytime that you can go to a racetrack and be a part of being honored for something that you did there to be successful is always a lot of fun, and this race track has just been high on the success list for me personally. Above and beyond all that, the Smith family and the whole SMI group and everything that they’ve done for racing and in my career.
This mix of nostalgia and frustration from Kevin Harvick highlights the emotional undercurrents running through NASCAR as it faces evolving social expectations. As a veteran with his achievements now immortalized in the Texas Motorsports Hall of Fame, Harvick is seen by many as a legitimate steward of racing tradition, making his criticism especially resonant. While he enjoys his well-earned honors, Harvick’s call to revive the gun tradition reflects a broader tension between preserving the sport’s distinctive character and adapting to contemporary standards.
The wider significance of this debate stretches beyond one racetrack in Texas. NASCAR’s decisions about traditions like the Victory Lane gun ceremony speak to how the sport responds to shifting cultural currents, pressures, and public sentiment. As Kevin Harvick’s outspoken comments gain attention, NASCAR leaders must weigh the value of their unique heritage against the demands for change, knowing that whatever they decide, the conversation is far from over. For now, as the spotlight shines on Kevin Harvick and his passionate remarks, both the racing world and its fans await to see whether traditions lost might ever return, or if a new era for NASCAR has firmly arrived.
