Richmond, VA – Kevin Harvick believes NASCAR is on the right path following a standout race at Richmond Raceway, highlighting the impact of a specific Goodyear tire combination and urging the sanctioning body to fundamentally re-evaluate its approach to the Next Gen car.
The veteran driver, who concluded his career piloting the Next Gen vehicle, expressed optimism after the race, arguing that the tires provided a much-needed traditional racing experience, a stark contrast to the car’s persistent issues on short tracks and road courses.
“It was just a traditional style looking NASCAR race, no matter what generation that you have,” Harvick stated during his Happy Hour podcast. “It’s the kind of race that you’re really are looking for.”
Despite significant investment in aerodynamic adjustments – including diffuser modifications – NASCAR has struggled to fully address the shortcomings of the Next Gen car. Harvick suggests that focusing on key areas beyond just tire compounds is crucial.
“They’ve spent millions of dollars aero-wise on this car,” Harvick explained. “Changing diffusers, this and that, and everything they have going on underneath the car…I think there are other things that can happen with the car that can move the needle.” He identified potential improvements in areas like weight distribution, aero elements, and sideforce as key areas needing attention.
The conversation echoes sentiments heard repeatedly over the past year, with Harvick emphasizing the need for a fresh perspective. “I think that, you know, they’ve spent millions of dollars aero-wise on this car,” Harvick reiterated. “Changing diffusers, this and that, and everything they have going on underneath the car.”
Harvick’s comments sparked debate within the NASCAR community, raising the question of whether a wider range of tire compounds – tailored to different track styles – could be a more immediate solution. “Maybe we need some more tire codes at these different styles of race tracks, like we used to have a number of different tires to tune it more towards each track.”
The Richmond race served as a clear demonstration of the car’s potential, leaving many to wonder: Is Kevin Harvick right? Will NASCAR ultimately need to explore alternative solutions, outside of simply refining the tire compounds, to deliver the exciting racing product fans desire?