“You Are Going To Be Punished”: Kevin Harvick Blasts NASCAR for Threatening Kyle Larson’s Dreams

Is NASCAR unfairly strict with its long-established racers? In a move that has already sparked plenty of debate within the NASCAR world, NASCAR’s recent rule change, dubbed the “Larson Rule”, is causing major waves. For Kyle Larson, and potentially many others, it seems like the message is clear: If you miss a race, you will be punished. The rule, which now stipulates that drivers who miss a race will forfeit all current and future playoff points, has drawn a sharp reaction from veteran Kevin Harvick.

While exceptions will be made in cases of medical reasons, the birth of a child, or family emergencies, this new policy appears to directly target a major event: ‘The Double’.

Kevin Harvick on how the new rule change is self-inflicted

The catalyst for the rule change was Larson’s decision to miss the Charlotte race last season while attempting the Indy 500 to do ‘The Double’. This racing feat involves completing the Indy 500 and Coca-Cola 600 on the same day. However, bad weather forced Larson to choose between staying in Indianapolis for the delayed race or flying back to Charlotte. Larson stayed back, however, the race in Charlotte was also shortened due to rain and Larson made it there but no lap was run after his arrival. Despite being given a waiver in 2024, now in 2025, Larson has no opportunity to miss the race as he has a lot to lose.

They made it clear that if Larson, or any driver, decides to miss a race again, they would lose playoff eligibility — a rule that could very well come back to haunt the talented driver who is beloved by fans for his versatility and success in multiple racing disciplines. Kevin Harvick summed up the sentiments of the rule on the Happy Hour Podcast. “Hey Kyle Larson, don’t miss my race anymore. If you miss my race, now you are going to be punished.”

He added, “I don’t like rules to just have rules. I think NASCAR has to protect its turf. ” The veteran driver shows both sides of the coin as he understands the need for NASCAR to have their premier drivers at every race. However, he also feels that the penalty is quite self-inflicted even without the rule in place. He went on to talk about how it hindered Larson’s title bid last season.

“It still was a detriment to him all the way to the end. It penalized him himself, he didn’t win the regular season championship, it penalized Larson all the way through without having a rule.” The Hendrick Motorsports star would have been gutted to miss out on the regular season championship as he was well and beyond the most impressive driver. He won 6 races, but that one missed race burned a hole in his regular season title chances as Tyler Reddick took home the award.

“I love the double,” Harvick said, referring to the concept of drivers competing in multiple series. “I love what they did last year with Larson… We got a ton of exposure for the racing world.” The Larson Rule now stands as a clear deterrent for drivers who want to broaden their horizons and take part in other major racing events. Drivers now find themselves in a position where they are forced to choose between the NASCAR playoffs and competing in prestigious events that showcase their talent on a global stage.

In the wake of the rule change, it’s clear that NASCAR will need to walk a fine line between enforcing fairness and maintaining the excitement that drivers like Larson bring to the table. Whether or not the “Larson Rule” will be revisited or amended remains to be seen. But for now, Harvick’s perspective is shared by many who fear that NASCAR is making a costly mistake by attempting to control how its stars engage with the racing world at large.

Harvick frustrated with NASCAR’s unfair treatment of veterans

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NASCAR’s new Open Exemption Provisional (OEP) has become a hot topic ahead of the Daytona 500, allowing non-NASCAR drivers, especially from other top racing series, to secure a guaranteed spot in the Cup Series race. Trackhouse Racing quickly utilized this provision, earning a spot for four-time Indy 500 winner Helio Castroneves, who will make his NASCAR debut at the prestigious event. While the inclusion of a veteran open-wheel driver is a big deal, the OEP has drawn criticism, particularly for its vague eligibility criteria.

Kevin Harvick voiced his frustration on the Happy Hour podcast, “So what I’m taking in is that retired world-class NASCAR champions are not world-class. So not eligible for provisional?”. Harvick’s comments have brought the confusion and perceived inequity in the rule to light. “I love the intent, and I love the fact that it’s going to attract people from other forms of racing, but I don’t like the fact that it left us on our own,” he explained.

He emphasized that allowing former stars like Tony Stewart or Dale Earnhardt Jr. to make a one-off return would not only boost fan engagement but also respect NASCAR’s history. With the current setup, Harvick fears the OEP unfairly favors outsiders over established NASCAR legends. “Does it just become a popularity contest, and what again is the popularity are basing it off?” Hendrick Motorsports vice president Jeff Gordon asked on SiriusXM NASCAR Radio.

As the season progresses, only time will tell if NASCAR’s tough stance will be the right call — or whether it will only fuel more frustration from drivers and fans alike.