NASCAR investigating car fires
NASCAR is investigating a spate of car fires that left one championship contender fuming after his Ford erupted into an inferno during the opening playoff race.
Kevin Harvick lashed out at NASCAR and the new Next Gen car after his inexplicably caught fire at Darlington Raceway. The Next Gen debuted this season and is a spec vehicle with single-source parts that is intended to both level the playing field and cut costs.
The Next Gen has achieved some of its goals but has also raised safety concerns unrelated to the fires involving the force of impact drivers are taking in crashes. Kurt Busch has been out with a concussion since late July.
Now comes a fire issue that can’t be ignored any longer after Harvick’s car burned Sunday night on national television. Although the Chevrolet of Alex Bowman caught fire at Darlington in May, the fire issues have predominantly plagued Fords. Chris Buescher and Joey Logano both had car fires at the Indianapolis road course, and Chase Briscoe’s car caught on fire at Richmond.
The fire dropped Harvick, winner of two races this season, to last in the 16-driver playoff field headed into Sunday’s race at Kansas Speedway. Four drivers will be eliminated from contention after next week’s race at Bristol Motor Speedway.
NASCAR, which already has been looking into the rigidness of the Next Gen based on driver feedback, has acknowledged “it’s unacceptable for the cars to catch on fire” and senior vice president of competition Scott Miller said series officials are investigating.
In the meantime, NASCAR ordered teams to replace a part of the polymer panel used in the passenger side door area with stainless steel.
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