NASCAR star Kevin Harvick has unleashed a fiery critique of the sport’s current horsepower limitation, triggering heated debate within the racing community. Harvick, known for his outspokenness, has voiced his frustration regarding the 670-horsepower cap, arguing that it has stripped racing of its excitement and reduced the role of driver skill in the outcome of races.
The debate was reignited after the recent race at Las Vegas Motor Speedway where Harvick and other drivers expressed discontent over qualifying speeds that left little room for strategic driving. Chase Elliott, whose family has a long history in engine building, agreed with Harvick, arguing that a horsepower increase would necessitate more off-throttle time, thus making racing more competitive.
A cornerstone of Harvick’s argument is the lack of challenge on a mile-and-a-half tracks, which he believes exemplifies NASCAR’s broader issues with its engine setup. “It’s absolutely ridiculous that we went to an unrestricted mile-and-a-half and they qualified wide open. What in the world do we need to do to get more horsepower? This screams horsepower to me,” Harvick vented on his Happy Hour podcast.
He harks back to the NASCAR golden era of the 1990s and early 2000s, when engines regularly produced over 800 horsepower, resulting in thrilling high-speed challenges on tracks like Atlanta and Charlotte. Harvick, a veteran of this era, reminisces on the adrenaline-filled days when drivers had to manage tire wear while navigating high-speed corners.
Harvick’s call for a horsepower boost has received backing from prominent drivers like Joey Logano and Kyle Larson, who believe that increased horsepower would lead to enhanced tire wear and more overtaking opportunities. However, NASCAR officials remain hesitant, citing concerns about costs and potential impacts on competition.
NASCAR’s history is filled with instances of conflict between safety and speed. The 1970s saw the introduction of restrictor plates to address safety concerns arising from high speeds at tracks like Daytona. This marked the beginning of a trend toward limiting horsepower, a move that many argue has dampened the thrill of the sport.
The effect of these horsepower reductions has grown more evident in recent years. In 2014, engines produced around 900 horsepower, but by 2015 this was cut to 750 horsepower, and then further reduced to 550 in 2019. These changes, while intended to foster closer competition and safer racing, have often resulted in less exciting races.
A shift in driver strategies and race dynamics is another fallout of these engine regulations. With less power at their disposal, many teams have prioritized setups that maximize downforce instead of raw speed, fundamentally altering racing strategies. Kyle Larson observes that with less power, there is less room for error, leading to more uniform racing experiences rather than showcasing individual driver skills.
Despite the pushback from NASCAR citing rising costs and manufacturer difficulties, advocates for increased horsepower remain steadfast. They argue that restoring the horsepower would rekindle the excitement and unpredictability that once defined NASCAR, while keeping the sport relevant in a rapidly evolving automotive landscape. However, given NASCAR’s history of ignoring issues surrounding the Next Gen car, it remains to be seen whether any significant changes to the engines will be made.
In the words of a frustrated Kevin Harvick, it’s high time to “Fix the Damn Problem”. Whether NASCAR heeds this call or continues to resist these demands is a matter to watch closely. The future of the sport could very well hang in the balance.