Kevin Harvick criticizes NASCAR for low-powered cars

Kevin Harvick has criticized NASCAR for lowering engine power in its cars since 2015. He believes this reduction has hurt the sport and called for more horsepower. Harvick shared his thoughts on his podcast after witnessing wide-open qualifying in Las Vegas, where cars ran at high speeds without much power. Many drivers, including Harvick, share concerns about the current limitations. NASCAR officials, however, are hesitant to increase horsepower due to cost. John Probst, the Chief Racing Development Officer, mentioned that adding power could lead to higher expenses without guaranteed improvements. He noted that while some drivers support more power, others believe it could spread cars out more during races. Harvick argues that the current situation is unacceptable. He used an analogy about uncomfortable shoes to express frustration with sticking to the same unworkable rules. He believes NASCAR has spent a lot on aerodynamics, yet cars still lack the necessary power. Other drivers, including Joey Logano, have echoed these sentiments. Logano stated that more power could enhance racing by increasing tire wear and making tracks more competitive. It remains unclear if NASCAR will consider testing higher horsepower to assess the impact on racing quality.