As the NASCAR Cup Series enters the Round of 12 at Kansas Motor Speedway, 2014 Cup Champion Kevin Harvick has issued a stark warning: the unpredictable Kansas winds could wreak havoc on race day, creating a major obstacle for drivers battling for playoff positions. Kansas, known as the only conventional track in this round with Talladega and the Roval to follow, is already a critical race, and the wind factor could make it even more challenging.
In his recent podcast, the former Stewart-Haas Racing (SHR) driver detailed how the constantly shifting wind direction at Kansas will be a significant challenge. Harvick explained how the unpredictable winds, which can change direction daily, could destabilize cars, leading to major handling issues and potential crashes.
“The wind does blow a lot there,” Harvick said. “Usually, it will blow the opposite direction from one day to the next, so that really screws it up.”
Wind’s Impact on Race Strategy and Car Handling
Harvick further elaborated that a tailwind down the back straightaway could tighten the cars heading into Turn 3, disrupting the flow through the corner and potentially setting drivers up for disaster at Turn 4. The exit of Turn 4 is especially problematic because the wall juts back towards the track, creating a tricky and often treacherous scenario.
“If that wind gets blowing down the back straightaway, it can kinda cause a little bit of a tailwind but also kinda keep the car tight going into Turn 3,” Harvick noted. “And at Kansas, when you get that flow of the corner off Turn 4, the wall kind of comes back straight down the straightaway, so it’s got kind of a funky exit where you’ll see a lot of guys hit the wall on the exit of Turn 4.”
Harvick’s Predictions for Playoff Elimination: Big Names in Danger
Alongside his weather warning, Harvick also shared his predictions on who might fail to advance from the Round of 12, naming some surprising candidates: Daniel Suárez, William Byron, Chase Briscoe, and Chase Elliott. Despite Byron and Elliott being among the top cars this season, Harvick pointed out their recent inconsistency as the primary reason they might struggle.
“For me, it’s the 99, the 24, the 14, and the 9,” Harvick stated. “They did good at Bristol, but you’re gonna have to make some noise and show that you’re a contender leading laps and running up front as you get closer to the Round of 8 and the Round of 4. They’ve run OK. They’ve been decent.”
Wind Could Make or Break Playoff Dreams
The Kansas wind could very well be a game-changer, particularly for drivers on the edge of playoff contention. The unpredictable conditions Harvick highlighted could lead to disastrous scenarios, such as mistimed entries into Turn 3 or scrapes with the wall at Turn 4, potentially derailing the championship hopes of some of NASCAR’s biggest names.
As the series heads into this crucial race, Harvick’s insights serve as a reminder that it’s not just the competition on track that drivers need to manage but also the uncontrollable elements that Kansas often throws into the mix. With the potential for chaos looming, all eyes will be on how drivers adapt and whether Harvick’s predictions will come to fruition.
