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FORT WORTH, TEXAS – MAY 02: Retired NASCAR Cup Series driver, Kevin Harvick, and 2025 inductee to the Texas Motorsports Hall Of Fame speaks to the media during the Hall of Fame Luncheon at Texas Motor Speedway on May 02, 2025 in Fort Worth, Texas. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images)
In the wake of a dramatic Richmond race, Kevin Harvick criticized NASCAR’s handling of its Next-Gen car and tire packages, sparking fresh debate across the sport.
The retired Cup Series champion, now a FOX Sports analyst, argued that issues such as weight, aerodynamics, and side force continue to affect competition, but he said the tire situation is the most urgent.
For Harvick, the performance of the tires at Richmond proved they are one of the biggest keys to creating exciting racing. Richard Petty disagreed, warning that excessive changes to tire strategy could “kill the race.”
With two of NASCAR’s most recognizable voices offering contrasting opinions, the debate around the Next-Gen car’s future has intensified.
Harvick Pushes NASCAR to Rethink Tire Strategy After Richmond
Harvick didn’t hold back when discussing the factors that shaped the Richmond event.
“I think it’s weight, I think it’s aero, I think it’s side force, I think it’s power, I think that the tires can still be better,” He added: “I hope that we don’t wait. And being involved in this, I know how hard NASCAR has worked on it to try to move the needle, but you have to think differently. Because the tire moved the needle this weekend.”
Harvick said NASCAR should consider bringing back multiple tire codes, a practice used in the past, to help teams fine-tune their setups for specific tracks. With more options, crews could better match tires to track surfaces and conditions, potentially improving both strategy and entertainment value.
He pointed to Richmond as proof that the right tire construction directly influenced the racing product, saying the event became more compelling because of tire fall-off and strategy.
Richard Petty Pushes Back on Kevin Harvick’s NASCAR Tire Critique
Harvick’s comments highlight one of the key debates surrounding the Next-Gen car: balancing car design with tire performance. Since its rollout, the Next-Gen model has been praised for leveling the playing field, but teams continue to face challenges with weight distribution, aerodynamics, and durability. Tire degradation and fall-off remain central as teams seek competitive advantages.
NASCAR legend Richard Petty offered a different perspective. Petty cautioned that inconsistent tire compounds could hurt the sport. He explained further, emphasizing that tire strategy should not overshadow on-track competition.
“When they threw the green flag, everybody said, ‘OK, what are we going to do on tires?’ Not, ‘What are we going to do racing each other?’ … The big deal is when they run a race, I like to see the cars that are the fastest, up front, racing. Not because of strategy, but because the driver and the car got to go race each other and not wait on how you make a pit stop or when everything falls.”
“From a spectator standpoint, you’re sitting in the grandstand and no way you can follow all that stuff,” Petty added.
Petty argued that Goodyear should prioritize consistent tires throughout the season rather than creating excessive variation. He also noted that drivers and teams may influence tire decisions in ways that don’t always enhance the fan experience.
This contrast between Harvick and Petty underscores the challenge of finding the right balance. Too much tire fall-off can frustrate drivers, while too little may produce less exciting, single-file racing, leaving fans unable to follow the action on track.
Harvick-Petty Debate Highlights NASCAR’s Next-Gen Tire Challenges
NASCAR faces critical choices in how to refine the Next-Gen platform. Harvick’s comments have pushed the discussion toward reintroducing multiple tire codes, a move that would alter strategies and potentially add more drama to races.
Goodyear and NASCAR will evaluate tire performance during testing and in future events. Even small adjustments in aerodynamics or tire composition could have a significant impact on how the Next-Gen car performs in 2026 and beyond.
Whether NASCAR reconsiders its tire policy or stays with its current approach will be a defining storyline in the sport’s Next-Gen era.
Dogli Wilberforce Dogli Wilberforce is a sports writer covering football, basketball, MMA, and other trending sports stories for outlets including Total Apex Sports, and Last Word on Sports. He has built a reputation for delivering timely, engaging coverage that blends sharp analysis with accessible storytelling. Wilberforce has covered everything from major football transfers to fight-night drama, bringing readers the insight and context behind the headlines. More about Dogli Wilberforce
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