After the recent Charlotte Roval race clinched the last berths for the NASCAR Round of 8, Kevin Harvick on playoff underperformance has become a focal point, especially as the former champion openly criticized William Byron and Chase Briscoe for their disappointing showings. The pointed remarks from Harvick come as the playoff field narrows, with prominent names like Joey Logano moving forward, but questions now swirling over the consistency of Byron and Briscoe as the competition intensifies.
Harvick’s Critical Take on Byron and Briscoe’s Recent Form
With the drama unfolding at Charlotte’s Roval, several teams made strategic moves aimed at benefiting teammates instead of solely chasing victories, impacting the outcome for various playoff hopefuls. Denny Hamlin’s bold overtake on Ross Chastain notably helped Joey Logano secure a critical spot in the next round. Yet, despite surviving the cut, William Byron and Chase Briscoe now find themselves at the center of scrutiny, as Kevin Harvick scrutinizes their performances during the Round of 12.
Harvick, reflecting on Byron’s campaign with the #24 crew, was direct in his evaluation of their efforts in recent races, especially their struggles at World Wide Technology Raceway in Illinois. Noting a stark contrast from earlier in the season, Harvick commented on how Byron’s recent results compare negatively, and pointed out that the #9 team driven by Chase Elliott displayed more competitive pace than the #24 car in recent outings.
“I think the 24 [William Byron] definitely underperformed, I think that, you know, their speed has been off. We went to St. Louis, and like, oh, well, you know. Maybe they found something. But now it’s kind of flip-flopped. Now the 9 seems to be the one that has more speed than the 24.”
—Kevin Harvick, Happy Hour podcast
Examining Byron’s Struggles and Briscoe’s Disappointing Pace
Harvick’s criticism did not end with Byron, as he questioned whether the #24 squad can rebound at the forthcoming Vegas event, citing their lackluster performance in Kansas as a significant concern. He expressed uncertainty about Byron’s ability to regain competitive speed, referencing past weekends where their form was particularly troubling. Harvick also highlighted that Chase Briscoe, despite expectations, fell short. According to Harvick, Briscoe’s recent pace was even more disappointing than anticipated, amplifying concerns about his prospects as the playoffs progress.
“I mean, they [William Byron] might show up at Vegas, they might not. I don’t know. Because they were awful, they were awful at Kansas. So, I think Byron, I think that [Chase] Briscoe was probably a little more, a little more off than what I thought they were going to be.”
—Kevin Harvick, Happy Hour podcast
Recalling the Kansas Race: A Missed Opportunity
Throughout the 2025 season, William Byron and Co. had been a force to be reckoned with, but the playoffs have exposed vulnerabilities. When Kansas rolled around, Byron’s inability to fight at the front became apparent. Though he managed to start 11th and complete the race in 9th, his performance was far from his regular season strengths. Harvick identified Kansas as a pivotal “big flop” for the #24 team, warning that such results are unsustainable for any driver aspiring to clinch the championship.
“They had the big miss at Kansas. They ground one out and were able to put themselves in a decent position to get a decent finish, but they had no speed at Kansas. It was a big flop at Kansas.”
—Kevin Harvick, Happy Hour podcast
As the Round of 8 looms, the challenge for Byron is to rediscover the consistent pace that made him a front runner earlier in the year. Despite current setbacks, he remains among the top four contenders, but Harvick’s analysis suggests that complacency will prove costly if the trend continues. For Chase Briscoe, sitting seventh out of the eight remaining drivers, the imperative is clear: he must deliver vastly improved results if he hopes to advance to the Championship 4. Given the intense nature of this playoff stretch and the stakes involved, every mistake and missed opportunity will likely determine the fates of these drivers as they chase NASCAR’s biggest prize.
The comments from Kevin Harvick on playoff underperformance underline the tension and uncertainty gripping drivers and teams alike as the postseason narrows. While strong regular season showings built momentum for both Byron and Briscoe, their struggles in recent rounds, at tracks like Kansas, St. Louis, and Illinois, have cast a shadow over their championship aspirations. The coming races in Vegas and beyond will prove decisive, not only for their playoff fates but for their reputations among fans and competitors, setting the stage for a dramatic conclusion to the NASCAR season.
