Kevin Harvick declares “NASCAR has gone soft”

Former Cup Series champion Kevin Harvick slammed NASCAR for becoming soft over removal of gun shooting in Texas' Victory Lane.

Kevin Harvick declares “NASCAR has gone soft”

Kevin Harvick (Via @KevinHarvick/X)

NASCAR veteran Kevin Harvick had many great runs at the Texas Motor Speedway during the peak of his career. The 49-year-old won three races in the Lone Star State and never held back on his celebrations in Victory Lane. Harvick had worn the iconic hat and shot the gun in Texas thrice. However, the former Cup Series champion has hit out at NASCAR for ending a historic tradition at the track.

The Texas Motor Speedway is one of the most iconic tracks on the NASCAR calendar. Over the years, it was a tradition for the race winner to shoot a gun in Victory Lane. However, the sport has now stopped this ritual. Kevin Harvick expressed his annoyance over the entire ordeal.

The 49-year-old claimed that NASCAR had gone soft in recent years, with the way it ended the gun shooting in Texas. Kevin Harvick was adamant that tradition must be brought back to TMS in the future. In recent years, NASCAR has cracked down on any exposure to guns or rifles. In 2019, the sport had declared that teams could no longer have sponsorships that promoted modern rifles.

We don’t shoot guns anymore. We got a little soft, as we went through the years, so we quit shooting the guns. Not sure why. We need to get back to shooting the guns. Shoot the guns in Victory Lane. We’re NASCAR, we shouldn’t be soft.

Kevin Harvick told Fox.

The gun tradition in Texas was certainly a moment enjoyed by fans and drivers alike. However, it is unlikely that NASCAR would consider bringing it back at least this weekend. If more people express their desire to see its return, the sport might be forced to discuss on its potential return in the near future.

Kevin Harvick named in Texas Motorsports Hall of Fame

Harvick is one of the best drivers in NASCAR’s recent history. The 49-year-old acclaimed success across the sport’s calendar with notable victories in Texas. It is thus no surprise that during the sport’s weekend at TMS, Kevin Harvick was honored with an induction into the Texas Motorsports Hall of Fame.

Kevin Harvick
Kevin Harvick (Via @SPEEDSPORT/X)

The 49-year-old not only won three Cup Series wins on the track, but also bagged five Xfinity victories and a Truck Series triumph as well. Kevin Harvick was overwhelmed to receive such an honor. He recalled his incredible run at the track over the years. He thanked the authorities for supporting him throughout his career.

Anytime that you can go to a racetrack and be a part of being honored for something that you did there to be successful is always a lot of fun, and this race track has just been high on the success list for me personally. Above and beyond all that, the Smith family and the whole SMI (Speedway Motorsports Incorporated) group and everything that they’ve done for racing and in my career.

Kevin Harvick said, as quoted by Athlon Sports.

Kevin Harvick has some fond memories at the Texas Motor Speedway. His record is now set in stone following his induction to the prestigious Hall of Fame of Texas. As such, when it comes to traditions at TMS, the 49-year-old is certainly the right guy to speak to. Unfortunately, at a time of political correctness, it is highly unlikely that NASCAR would bring back an activity that indirectly promoted guns, no matter how unintentional it might’ve been.

Related: Chase Elliott confesses NASCAR fans won’t stop complaining about cars “even if there is a fix-all”