Kevin Harvick has never been one to hold back, and as NASCAR rolls out its controversial Open Exemption Provisional (OEP) for 2025, the 2014 Cup Series champion is making it clear—he doesn’t like what he sees.
The new rule, which grants elite drivers from other motorsports series a free pass into select NASCAR Cup events without the pressure of qualifying, is designed to attract big-name talent from outside stock car racing. And while Harvick respects the intent, he believes the execution is deeply flawed—especially because it excludes past NASCAR champions.
Harvick Calls Out NASCAR: “Why Leave Out Our Own?”
Trackhouse Racing has already taken advantage of the rule, with four-time Indy 500 champion set to become the first driver to use the OEP for the 2025 Daytona 500. But while NASCAR is rolling out the red carpet for crossover stars, former Cup champions who paved the way for the sport are being ignored.
“That’s the thing I don’t like about this rule, I think it caught a lot of people off guard. I love the intent and I love the fact that it’s going to attract people from other forms of racing,” Harvick said.
But then he added a gut-punch of a reality check:
“I didn’t like the fact that it left out our own. We’ve gone back and we’ve figured all these things out with all the guys that kind of had a bad taste in their mouth with how they’ve been treated the last couple of years.”
For Harvick, the issue isn’t bringing in outside talent—it’s NASCAR seemingly snubbing its own history. While international superstars are given a golden ticket to NASCAR’s biggest races, veteran Cup champions who have dedicated their careers to the sport are left out of the equation.
This raises a major question: Shouldn’t the legends of NASCAR have the same right to compete in these marquee events as drivers from other series?
The Clash: NASCAR’s Next Big Mistake?
Harvick didn’t just stop at the OEP rule—he also took aim at NASCAR’s rumored plans to move The Clash to an international venue.
For him, the idea of sacrificing classic short tracks like Bowman Gray Stadium for the sake of global expansion is a slap in the face to NASCAR’s grassroots fans.
“I think you’ll offend our grassroots fans of places like Bowman Gray that you could affect your own house here in our country instead of trying to make [it] global. Let’s fix the structure of our system that we have here from the grassroots up, and you could use our biggest stars to do it,” Harvick warned.
His message is clear: Before NASCAR focuses on flashy international races, it should take care of its own backyard.
Is NASCAR’s Direction Hurting Its Core Fans?
Harvick’s stance echoes the concerns of many within the NASCAR community. While growing the sport globally is an exciting prospect, ignoring grassroots racing and NASCAR’s veteran champions could alienate the very fanbase that made the sport what it is today.
And while moving exhibition races overseas is a far better option than shifting points-paying races, it still raises concerns about whether NASCAR is prioritizing spectacle over substance.
With legends like Harvick speaking out, NASCAR now faces a critical question: Is it pushing too hard for outside appeal while neglecting its own legacy?
The Verdict: NASCAR Needs to Find Balance
Harvick isn’t against change—he’s against change that comes at the expense of the sport’s foundation. NASCAR needs to ask itself: Is bringing in outside stars worth sidelining its own champions? Is global expansion worth alienating the grassroots base that made stock car racing a phenomenon?
As the 2025 season looms, NASCAR has some serious decisions to make. Will it listen to veterans like Harvick, or will it double down on its controversial new direction?
One thing’s for sure: The battle for NASCAR’s identity is just getting started.
