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Mark Martin Defends Clean Racing Amid Kevin Harvick’s Controversial Call at COTA

Carl Harrison by Carl Harrison
March 4, 2025
in Motorsports
Reading Time: 3 mins read
0
Mark Martin Sounds Off on NASCAR’s Evolution: “There Is No Simple Solution”

ATLANTA - MARCH 05: Mark Martin, driver of the #5 Hendrickcars.com/GoDaddy.com Chevrolet, gets out of his car after qualifying for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Kobalt Tools 500 at Atlanta Motor Speedway on March 5, 2010 in Hampton, Georgia. (Photo by Geoff Burke/Getty Images for NASCAR)

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NASCAR fans were treated to a heart-stopping spectacle at the Circuit of The Americas (COTA) in Austin, Texas, as a nail-biting showdown ensued, making for an unforgettable day in the world of motor racing. The 2.40-mile track, freshly revamped, came alive once again, offering up a road course racing masterclass, the likes of which have been absent from recent NASCAR events.

As the final laps approached, the air was thick with tension. Kyle Busch, notorious for his aggressive driving style, was in the lead, battling to break a 59-race winless streak. Hot on his tail was the relentless Christopher Bell, while Tyler Reddick and William Byron were not far behind, raising the stakes in this intense four-way fight for victory.

Each turn was a potential game-changer, every braking zone a high-stakes gamble. As the pressure mounted, Bell resisted the temptation to use his bumper to gain an edge. His decision to compete cleanly against Busch was met with disappointment by Kevin Harvick in the FOX booth. However, not all shared Harvick’s sentiment, preferring a clean race.

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While the COTA faceoff unfolded, Harvick, from the commentary booth, vocally urged Bell to move Busch aside and overtake him. Harvick’s call to action against Busch was a clear endorsement of the ‘bump and run’ tactic synonymous with NASCAR. However, both Busch and Bell chose to play out an exemplary display of clean racing. This was especially notable considering their previous encounter at the same track last year, still fresh in the minds of many.

Following the race, the NASCAR community was abuzz. Fans echoed the sentiments of NASCAR legend Mark Martin who tweeted, “Great racing all day.” One fan’s response to Martin summed up the overall reaction, “Nothing about the racing today felt artificial, gimmicky, or like manufactured excitement and drama. Just three/four guys racing their hearts out in the final laps going for the win.”

However, the dialogue didn’t stop there. Another fan expressed discomfort at Harvick’s continuous urging for Bell to hit Busch. In response, Martin shut down Harvick’s call to action, stating, “We need to see that clean determination one in a while instead of doing it the easy way.” This sentiment was a clear endorsement of racing integrity over forced passes, a stark contrast to Harvick’s endorsement of ‘bump and run.’

This isn’t just about the recent COTA race, but also about the larger question of how many races have been decided by the ‘bump and run’ tactic or a dubious move to secure a win. While such tactics do add drama, they raise questions about the spirit of the sport. Even Harvick himself seemed to have a change of heart during an exclusive interview with Bell.

A year ago at COTA, Bell had a run-in with Busch that resulted in Busch’s car spinning out. Despite this, Bell had to settle for second place. The incident left Busch promising payback. Given this backdrop, when Bell had the chance to bump Busch during the recent race, he chose not to, learning from past mistakes.

Bell’s decision to race cleanly against Busch was commended in post-race interviews, despite Harvick’s inability to understand why Bell didn’t capitalize on his opportunities. Bell explained that he felt stronger than Busch, but as the race went on, his ability to pass waned, necessitating a more strategic approach.

The thrilling showdown at COTA showcased some of the best road course racing action fans have seen in a long time. Despite the tough loss for Busch and his team, they left Austin with many positives and a renewed determination to come back stronger for the upcoming Phoenix race.

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