The modified aero package triggered a storm of reactions among drivers after its debut at the Phoenix race. But now another old topic is nodding its head around the corner. Racers are clamoring for an increase in horsepower, their demands picking up momentum with each day. Recently, Kevin Harvick joined the group of protesters.

NASCAR used to harbor 1000 horsepower last in the mid-2010s. That number has been dialed down progressively with time. Presently, the maximum horsepower that a race car can use is a meager 670 hp, lower than the average sports car available in an automobile showroom. Harvick was recently vocal about his opinion regarding this situation.

Kevin Harvick calls out NASCAR for low hp and fans have his back

The horsepower debate has strung up a number of high-profile drivers in the past couple of days. While Dale Earnhardt Jr is not sure how big of a difference added horsepower would make, Denny Hamlin gave a financially manageable goal, capping his demand to 750 hp. Kyle Larson went all out and called for higher horsepower packages no less than 1000 hp.

Now, retired racer Kevin Harvick has joined the chat. He is succinct regarding his take on the topic, taking his demand over the 1000-hp cap. “I still think, it’s gotta have more than a 1000 hp. For the life of me, I cannot understand why we wanna keep spending millions and millions of dollars on CFD and wind tunnels and changing parts and changing pieces. The engine cost hasn’t changed since we changed the engine rules. I don’t understand why we just don’t want’em to blow the back tires off the car.”

Harvick explained his stance by observing what Alex Bowman’s car did in Phoenix. “I watched the foot cam in the 48 car this weekend,” he said. “And it’s ‘brake, come right off the brak’. So for me it needs to be ‘brake, oh my god I’m fearing for my life…I need to slow this thing down way more than what I think I need to…now it’s just brake, right off the brake, and then they go touch the throttle, ‘boom!’ And they just push the throttle all the way down.”

Responding to Harvick’s take, fans lashed out at NASCAR with some strong cuss words. “You almost should be able to go down the front straight without spinning the f**king tires at a short track. NASCAR is a bunch of p***ies for making these cars too damn weak”. Another fan said: “Denny, Larson, and Harvick have all come out and said it this week. NASCAR is running out of excuses not to try it.”

[Happy Hour] Kevin Harvick’s comments on increasing HP
byu/_AmericanPoutine inNASCAR

Some fans deemed the situation to be hopeless. “Weve seen the talk ..were open to the idea” – doesnt change anything : probably Nascar”. Another person commented: “Unfortunately the viewership ticking upward is going to be all the suits see and give a shit about though”.

However, NASCAR officials are grappling with several problems here.

NASCAR executive shed light on the reality

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Certainly, veteran drivers like Denny Hamlin and Kevin Harvick are dedicated to racing. Hamlin’s demand involves the point that increased horsepower would highlight the racers’ talents. But on the ground level, there are several issues at play. Jumping back to 900-1000 hp would mean changing the entire set-up of cars. Further, NASCAR executive Steve O’Donnell pointed out the car manufacturer dilemma.

“You have to factor in what are the costs involved as well, right? It’s not as simple as just upping the horsepower. You better be ready for all your OEs to be onboard. It better make sense for any potential new OEM and technology. It’s not just a short-term answer.”

The demand for more horsepower will probably not die down soon. Let us see if the upper echelons of NASCAR go out of their way to accommodate the racer’s needs.

Read More: Daniel Suarez’s Team Believes Horsepower Is Not the Answer to NASCAR’s Problem at Short Tracks