After the conclusion of the Daytona 500, former Cup Series champion Kevin Harvick expressed his appreciation for NASCAR’s consistent decision-making during the event. On the latest episode of his podcast, Kevin Harvick’s Happy Hour, he commended NASCAR for its approach to cautions throughout the weekend, particularly during the crucial closing laps of the race held on February 19, 2023.
Harvick highlighted the organization’s commitment to not throwing cautions unless cars were heavily impacted. He stated, “I do want to give a shout out to NASCAR. They were consistent in how they called all the races this weekend by not throwing the caution if the car wasn’t heavily impacted and giving those cars a chance to get going.”
The significance of NASCAR’s consistency became evident during the final lap of the Daytona 500, when a multi-car crash occurred behind the leaders. Despite the chaos, NASCAR chose to keep the race under green, a decision that sparked discussions among teams and fans alike. Harvick emphasized that the commitment to consistency outweighed the specifics of any individual call.
“There was constant uncertainty,” Harvick reflected. “At one point I thought Hocevar was going to win the race. Then they wiped out, and I’m like, ‘Oh, the caution is surely going to come out.’ Then I thought Stenhouse is going to win because the caution is coming out and he’s leading. Then I realized the caution is not coming out.”
In a stunning finish, Tyler Reddick surged ahead to claim victory, underscoring the effectiveness of NASCAR’s decision to allow the race to continue. Harvick praised officials not only for their handling of the race but also for pre-race decisions that included moving the start time up to avoid weather delays. “Great week, great finishes,” Harvick noted. “Our Daytona 500 started on time and ended on time. NASCAR made some great decisions with the weather.”
For Harvick, the key takeaway from the weekend was clarity in the rules. In a sport often fraught with contentious interpretations, he believes that both fans and teams benefited from knowing what to expect. He stated, “Consistency is what kept controversy from overshadowing the competition in Florida.”
As the NASCAR series moves to Atlanta, Harvick’s hope is that the organization maintains this level of consistency. The positive feedback from such a pivotal race could signal a shift in how NASCAR is perceived, especially in the context of superspeedway events that have historically drawn mixed reactions.
