Kevin Harvick is no stranger to speaking his mind, and following the latest NASCAR Cup Series race at Talladega, he has set his sights on a shocking revelation involving Gene Haas and a key figure from Haas’ Formula 1 team.
The former NASCAR champion has accused an F1 insider of influencing a controversial move that turned into a disaster at the superspeedway, fueling frustration among fans and drivers alike.
The Talladega Controversy
Talladega Superspeedway has always been known for its chaotic, high-speed battles, but this time, Harvick claims there was more at play than just racing luck.
The Stewart-Haas Racing (SHR) veteran has suggested that a behind-the-scenes decision—one influenced by someone connected to Haas’ F1 operations—led to what he described as a “disgraceful” outcome for his team.
The controversy reportedly centers around a strategic call that backfired, putting SHR drivers at a disadvantage in the closing laps.
Harvick believes that an individual with ties to Haas’ F1 program played a role in pushing for an ill-advised tactic, ultimately costing the team a shot at victory.
Harvick’s Frustration Boils Over
Harvick, who has always been vocal about NASCAR’s evolution and SHR’s internal struggles, didn’t hold back in his criticism. “This wasn’t just bad luck—it was a bad decision from someone who doesn’t understand how superspeedway racing works,” he reportedly said. “We had the speed, we had the cars, but when you make the wrong call at the wrong time, you throw it all away.”
Though he didn’t name the individual outright, speculation points toward a key strategist with ties to Haas’ F1 team who may have influenced SHR’s game plan.
The move, whatever it was, ended up backfiring and left SHR drivers—including Harvick—struggling to stay in contention as the checkered flag approached.
F1 Influence in NASCAR: A Growing Concern?
This isn’t the first time Formula 1’s involvement in NASCAR has sparked debate. As Gene Haas balances his commitments between SHR and Haas F1 Team, some have questioned whether the cross-sport influence is helping or hurting his NASCAR operation.
The disciplines are vastly different, with superspeedway racing relying heavily on drafting, teamwork, and split-second decisions—factors that don’t always align with F1’s strategy-heavy approach.
Harvick’s comments suggest that outside influence may be steering SHR in the wrong direction, especially in races like Talladega where NASCAR-specific experience is crucial.
“You can’t run a NASCAR race like an F1 race,” Harvick emphasized. “You have to understand how the draft works, how the pack moves—otherwise, you end up making the wrong call and hurting your own team.”
What’s Next for SHR?
With Harvick set to retire at the end of the season, his willingness to call out these issues could be a last-ditch effort to push for change within SHR.
The team has struggled to keep up with powerhouse organizations like Hendrick Motorsports and Joe Gibbs Racing, and questionable strategic decisions aren’t helping their case.
Whether Gene Haas takes Harvick’s criticism seriously remains to be seen, but one thing is clear: SHR can’t afford to keep making costly mistakes if they want to remain competitive.
If outside influences are indeed playing a role in their struggles, it may be time for a major reassessment of how the team operates—before it’s too late.
