NASCAR revolutionized their racing in 2022 when they carried out a bold move by launching next-gen cars. While some seem to perceive all this as a measure to upgrade, others are struggling because of this initiative. Even the likes of Jimmie Johnson fall into the second category of drivers. This, however, has surprised the NASCAR world, as there have been very few drivers in recent times as consistent as the 7X Cup Series winner.

After Dale Earnhardt Jr, Kevin Harvick, who had a season or two of experience with these cars, decided to open up about the challenges faced by drivers donning this engine. Let’s get on to it without further delay.

Driving these cars is nothing short of craziness, yet fun

Harvick opened up on ‘NASCAR on FOX’ regarding the difficulty of driving a next-gen car. He came out in support of Jimmie Johnson but also stated that it’s not possible to keep up with what’s happening around you unless someone is driving the car themselves.

Harvick said, “I think you mentioned the old car. And everything that you could do in the old car, it was like clockwork, man. Once you had it, you had it. You knew what you’re looking for, you knew the feel which you were looking for. This car, you chase the feel. I mean, as you saw this weekend, you’re constantly on edge and it’s not always fun to drive because of how hard it is to drive… It’s not the same feel, it’s not the same stuff. You can’t just; every week is a new week with the evolution of the car. And the changing of the rules and the changing of the tires.”

Kevin Harvick stressed that knowing how the car works is crucial, especially during tough races like last weekend’s. To drive well and make the right moves, a driver needs to really understand their car. He also said that the way drivers used to talk about what they needed in a car doesn’t match with the next-gen specs.

“That’s why, when you go back to Jimmie Johnson scenario, he’s just not in tune with what’s happening to keep up with the craziness of how hard this car is to drive,” he added.

The Next-Gen debut era

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Last weekend saw a total of 16 cautions and left-right spins throughout the race. This modern vehicle, crafted to boost both competition and safety, has altered the sport’s landscape. It compels both drivers and teams to undertake significant adjustments. The debut of NASCAR’s Next-Gen car has marked a transformative period in the sport, as seen through the challenges faced by Jimmie Johnson and other drivers at Texas Motor Speedway.

The Next-Gen car aims to deliver steadier performance across diverse racetracks. Yet, this uniformity also means there’s less room for mistakes. Johnson’s experience in Texas serves as an example of the necessity for even seasoned drivers to modify their driving approaches and tactics.

In addition, the shift to wheels with a single lug nut, moving away from the conventional five-lug configuration, has changed the dynamics of pit stops, introducing a new level of intricacy to the strategies and operations on race day. Let’s hope part-time drivers get to participate in more races in order to adapt to these specific hurdles. After that, it will be a fair competition for them as well.