Kevin Harvick critical of Bristol track prep and underglow lights

Kevin Harvick on the NASCAR underglow light: “I wish mine had fallen off.”

For the first time, the NASCAR All-Star Race was run at Bristol Motor Speedway.

They brought all the bells and whistles out for the special event. A new choose cone, underglow lights and a new number placement.

Fans came into the race with high expectations. $1,000,000 was on the line, at a short track. Action was almost a guarantee. But, that didn’t happen.

That could be placed right in the hands of the track promoters. Or the aero dependent cars that are on their way out following the 2021 season.

Kevin Harvick put on new tires just ahead of the 15 lap shootout to the finish. He was on the charge but he came up short, finishing 3rd.

Kevin Harvick on track prep

“We could definitely prepare the race track better. Heck, we didn’t even clean the outside lane one time,” Harvick said after his run at Bristol Motor Speedway.

“You’re dependent on the guys taking care of the race track. We went to Charlotte, the PJ1 didn’t seem like what it had been the last couple years.”

“Last week, we showed up at the race track and the PJ1 was put on the race track without anybody knowing.”

“When we started at Kentucky, the track prep wasn’t very good for the Xfinity cars with dust flying everywhere. The track was definitely not ready to race last week at Kentucky.”

“The top was nasty dirty tonight. Really, no chance to ever even run up there. If you drove up there it was going to take you two or three laps to get cleaned back up.”

“I think a lot of people had the expectations that the bump and run was going to come into play. But, when the bottom has that much grip, then it becomes an aero game.”

“You have to be concerned with it going to Texas because it hasn’t been the same as what it was last year.”

Charlotte Motor Speedway, Kentucky Speedway, Bristol Motor Speedway and Texas Motor Speedway are all SMI properties.

NASCAR All-Star Race at Bristol Motor Speedway - Underglow lights
BRISTOL, TENNESSEE – JULY 15: Ryan Blaney, driver of the #12 BodyArmor Ford,, Joey Logano, driver of the #22 Shell Pennzoil Ford, Clint Bowyer, driver of the #14 Rush Truck Centers/Mobil 1 Ford, Kyle Busch, driver of the #18 M&M’s Toyota, and William Byron, driver of the #24 Axalta Chevrolet, race during the NASCAR Cup Series All-Star Race at Bristol Motor Speedway on July 15, 2020 in Bristol, Tennessee. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images)

Harvick on underglow lights

The other big change for the NASCAR All-Star Race was the use of underglow lights. They lit up under the rear of the car only, instead of going under the entire car.

All 16 cars that transferred into the All-Star race based on wins featured the light while cars that came in through the Open or Fan Vote did not feature the light.

The 16 lights were color coordinated based on manufacture make. Blue lights for Ford drivers, Gold for Chevrolet drivers and Red for Toyota drivers.

The general consensus from the fans leading into the race was that the lights would suck. After the race, it was that the lights really sucked.

“I wish mine would have fallen off,” Harvick stated of the underglow lights.

“The only person I talked to that thought that underglow light was good was 8 year old. Hopefully, the kids liked it. I’m way out of that age group for the underglow light.”

Harvick later added, “Tonight, I think Chase Elliott winning, makes it a better race. Just because he’s the most popular guy here. It’s good for all of us, when Chase wins.”

Links

Kevin Harvick | Bristol Motor Speedway | NASCAR

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