Kevin Harvick has reacted to the shocking pace car crash at the NASCAR Cup Series championship race at Phoenix Raceway. The incident, taking place just before Stage 2, saw the pace car crash into sand barrels at the pit road entrance, resulting in a red flag as the track crew cleaned up.
Harvick did not hold back during his "Happy Hour" podcast, admitting his astonishment over what he described as an "epic failure." With over two decades of racing experience, Harvick's insights carry substantial weight.
"I've seen the pace car catch on fire, I've seen F1 pace cars spin out in the rain, but never just spin out on a 75-degree day in Phoenix turning onto pit road," he said. "That was an epic failure. There's no way to hide it."
Phoenix Raceway, known for its mile-long oval with a unique dogleg, served as the stage for the 2024 NASCAR Cup Series Championship. This prestigious race, which decides the ultimate champion, brought together top contenders Joey Logano, Ryan Blaney, William Byron, and Tyler Reddick. The pace car incident added an unexpected twist to an already interesting event.
As both a veteran driver and FOX Sports commentator, Harvick has become known for his analysis. His expertise provides fans with a behind-the-scenes look at the complexities of racing, and his criticisms are rarely ignored.
Amidst the pace car confusion, Joey Logano seized the championship, securing his third NASCAR Cup title. Leading 107 of the 312 laps, Logano's epic performance was inspiring, albeit followed by controversy.
NASCAR playoff debate rekindled
Logano's season, marked by an average finish of 17.1, stands as the lowest for a championship winner, starting debates about the playoff system's structure. Critics argue the format disproportionately rewards certain drivers, prompting discussions on its fairness. Logano, however, defended the current structure, highlighting its competitive balance.
"Outside of what was brought up to me in the media center and a couple times today during media stuff, I haven't heard much of it. The part I don't understand, and I said it the other day, we've been doing this for 11 years. And everyone thought it was awesome and now we don't. What happened?" he asked.
Introduced in 2004, NASCAR's playoff system has undergone multiple changes to enhance drama and competition. Despite criticisms, Logano remains unfazed.
"Nothing changed. I don't get it because as a race fan, if I take myself out of the car or I'll just watch the Xfinity and the Truck stuff. The same format. I think it's awesome.
"I love it. The regular season guys, do those guys get an advantage? Absolutely, it's a pretty big one too. Does that mean that you can just go in cruise control throughout the playoffs? No, obviously. Can you go in cruise control in any other sport through the playoffs? No, you won't make it to the end.
"Why do we need to change that? It makes no sense to me when I hear all of this.
"But whatever, I got the trophy, and I don't really care," he ended.
:quality(85):upscale()/2024/04/24/878/n/3019466/36c5693c662965c5d1ce91.72473705_.jpg)
English (US) ·