Austin Theriault: “People have been doing this for years!!”
Kevin Harvick dominated at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. In fact, it’s back-to-back domination for the Stewart-Haas Racing camp.
However, one of the major talking points after Las Vegas has been the rear window of Kevin Harvick’s car. The rear window/roof would droop down at high speeds such as the end of the long straight-away’s.
Did they do it on purpose? No idea. Is it a rule violation? Maybe. Is it a grey area? Certainly, if that was the intention.
The goal of that drooping window on Kevin Harvick’s car could vary widely from an aerodynamic standpoint. If it was actually intended, it was engineering genius. But, only the people with the wind tunnel data could inform any of us on what that actually did. Until we hear from the team, people will speculate.
It could simply be an accident. Or it could be a broken part on the #4 window.
Click here to view the initial report and the images to go with it.
So, what’s being said from the NASCAR community on this topic? First, you’ll read the discussion during the race, followed by the post-race discussion points.
During the race
Alan Gustafson: “You see the right rear of that 4 car’s glass? It looks all bowed down.”
Chase Elliott: “Yeah, the right side of the glass, yep kinda between the orange jack screw and the black lining is bowed over.”
Alan Gustafson: “Yep, right by the ‘K’ in Harvick. When he’s up to speed I think that thing pushed down about — I don’t know, 2 inches or 3 inches.”
UPDATE: Kevin Harvick has been penalized after Las Vegas win
After the race
Chase Elliott: “Sure. We discussed it. Was that why he won the event, no it wasn’t. @KevinHarvick @RodneyChilders4. I’ve been on the other end of the stick.”
Dale Jr: “That’s common. I mean, I spent the last 5 years of my career, telling my crew chief anything I saw on the car that I thought might help that car around me. Drivers are always looking.”
Dale Jr: “You can’t make accusations. Possible a brace failed. Picks [pictures] from ATL race looked fine. Car passed tech before and after the race. Final word will be what if anything comes from NASCAR after the cars trip to R&D center this week. Either way, it’s visually amazing.”
Austin Theriault: “People have been doing this for years!!”
Ricky Craven: “Cracks me up! the more things change… the more they stay the same. When you’re getting your ass whooped on the race track, you become preoccupied with everything & anything you see from the winner… Advantage Winner..”
At slow speeds, the roof and window would snap back into shape. As Harvick went to victory lane and then to NASCAR’s new OSS inspection, it would appear normal.
The car passed both pre-race and post-race inspection. However, the winning car is soon to arrive at the NASCAR R&D Center in Charlotte, NC. We’ll find out on Wednesday if the car is still declared legal.
Kevin Harvick led 214 laps on Sunday, sweeping all 3 stages at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. It’s the 2nd win in a row after taking the checkered at Atlanta Motor Speedway two weeks ago.
This weekend, NASCAR heads to ISM Raceway. In Phoenix, Harvick has 8 wins and an average finish of 9th in his 30 races at the Arizona track. In the last 9 starts at the speedway, Harvick has went to victory lane, five times.
More
Update: #4 crew chief Rodney Childers discusses the rear window at LVMS
Related: Kevin Harvick’s rear window at Las Vegas Motor Speedway
Related: Las Vegas Motor Speedway results – MENCS
Related: Kevin Harvick on victory burnouts, pre-race tech and penalties
Related: Stewart-Haas Racing crew chief changes his view of NASCAR’s OSS inspection; In favor
Related: Check out NASCAR’s new inspection station (Video)
Links
Kevin Harvick | Atlanta | LVMS | NASCAR | Shane Walters
