Kevin Harvick recently discussed Kyle Larson’s penalty for vehicle interference at Watkins Glen during his show, “Kevin Harvick’s Happy Hour.” His co-host, Kaitlyn Vincie, noted that Larson’s teammate, William Byron, is currently 25 points above the playoff cut line, while Larson was penalized during the race.
Harvick explained that he had been watching Larson closely throughout the day as the driver struggled with his car. The situation escalated when Larson crossed the line by encroaching into Erik Jones’ pit box. He detailed how NASCAR uses a diagonal orange line as a reference point for penalties, indicating where cars should remain in relation to pit boxes. In this case, Larson moved too far right into the No. 43 car’s pit area.
Harvick pointed out that Larson believed he was being careful but ended up too deep in the pit box. The rules are designed to protect pit crew members, who need space to work safely, and this standard has been in place for several years. Harvick noted that penalties like this are relatively straightforward for NASCAR to call, especially when the guidelines are clear.
Additionally, Harvick mentioned that teams can contest penalties if they feel the decision was incorrect. He reminisced about past practices among drivers, recalling how they might react if another team intruded on their pit space. Harvick shared that drivers would sometimes send video evidence to NASCAR if they believed their pit stop was impeded, and in the heat of the moment, they might brush against rival pit crew members to assert their space.
He reflected on the change in NASCAR’s approach to pit road safety, emphasizing that the organization has implemented strict rules to prevent accidents and injuries. While Larson faced a tough lesson at Watkins Glen, Harvick emphasized the importance of these regulations in safeguarding crew members and ensuring fair competition.