Last week when the checkered flag flew at Talladega it looked as if Kevin Harvick was just inches away from winning a race in his final season. However, a couple of hours after the race following the conclusion of post-race inspections Harvick’s car was disqualified for window bolts not being secure. Let’s take a deeper look into everything that happened involving this unexpected story.
On the last lap of this year’s race at Talladega, Kevin Harvick and Ryan Blaney were side by side coming to the checkered in a photo finish. Harvick was going for a win in his final season, he has been winless in 2023 leading up to this point. Blaney was going for a win to punch his ticket into the next round of the playoffs. This led to a chaotic and close finish between the two drivers with Blaney coming out on top.
Following Sunday’s finish, Harvick number 4 Mustang had been DQ’d for loose window bolts on the car. Kevin Harvick’s penalty resulted in him being scored 38th (last) as well as losing all stage points he earned during the race.
Harvick was asked about the situation the following week in Charlotte. This is what he had to say.
Previous NASCAR Cup Championship crew chiefs Todd Gordon and Steve Letarte break down the aerodynamics and the possible advantages loose bolts could have at Talladega.
Harvick has not been the only driver to be DQ’d following a race in recent memory. Jimmie Johnson was also disqualified in his final season following his second-place finish in the 2020 Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte. If Johnson had received the points taken from him in this race he would have made the 2020 playoffs.
A more memorable one was Denny Hamlin and Kyle Busch being disqualified for tape being under the front fascia of the car at Pocono in 2022. Denny Hamlin scored the winner and Kyle Busch scored in 2nd place prior to the penalty. The 2 being DQ’d allowed Elliott to get the win.
After taking a deeper look into Kevin Harvick’s penalty, what do you think? Should Harvick be penalized for something like window bolts? Let us know your thoughts.
