NASCAR Veteran Kevin Harvick Drops the Hammer on NASCAR All-Star Race With Blunt Verdict

Kevin Harvick isn’t holding again his ideas on NASCAR’s All-Star Race. The previous Cup Collection champion thinks it’s time for a serious change because the occasion returns to North Wilkesboro Speedway this 12 months.

Kevin Harvick, the 2014 Cup Collection champion and two-time All-Star Race winner, has delivered a frank evaluation calling for an entire rethinking of the midseason showcase occasion. Regardless of years of tweaking guidelines, altering venues, and including particular options, the race simply isn’t producing the thrill it as soon as did.

When the All-Star Race began again in 1985 (then known as “The Winston”), it was a giant take care of a $200,000 prize. That prize ultimately grew to $1 million, however based on Harvick, the occasion has misplaced its particular really feel alongside the best way. It’s moved from Charlotte to Bristol, then to Texas, and now to North Wilkesboro with out discovering its groove.

Kevin Harvick Advocates for Main Change

“I say we nix the All-Star Race,” Harvick stated on his “Comfortable Hour” podcast. “I simply suppose, with all the hassle and issues that go into it, we will’t discover a format that everyone likes. I believe we should always honor our guys. I believe we have now to determine the way to make the Conflict be the Conflict and the All-Star Race and make all of it work collectively.”

“I believe that North Wilkesboro deserves to be a factors race,” he added. “I believe it might be a incredible factors occasion, 400 laps, all of the vehicles on the racetrack, full weekend. I don’t suppose North Wilkesboro ought to go wherever, however I simply suppose the All-Star Race has run its course, personally.”

Harvick isn’t suggesting abandoning North Wilkesboro Speedway – fairly the other. He thinks the historic observe deserves a full-fledged factors race that counts towards the championship. His imaginative and prescient? Flip the weekend right into a racing competition with possibly even Cup, Xfinity, and Truck Collection races all on the identical venue.

NASCAR has tried to spice issues up over time with gimmicks like placing neon lights underneath vehicles and transferring numbers round on the autos. However Harvick factors out they haven’t raised the prize cash in over 20 years, whereas making solely surface-level modifications.

His feedback have gotten individuals speaking within the NASCAR world. Many followers and insiders agree that the All-Star Race doesn’t really feel as particular anymore, particularly with different big-money occasions now on the schedule.

As NASCAR seems to be forward, Harvick’s straight speak presents meals for thought: typically, it’s higher to let go of unsustainable traditions and create one thing new that followers will love.