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Kevin Harvick’s Crew Chief Takes a Veiled Dig at Ford as NASCAR Fans Sense “Casual Investors” Michael Jordan & Pitbull Causing Frustration

Published 05/20/2022, 12:55 PM EDT

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Out of all the manufacturers this season in NASCAR, Ford are having one hell of a time so far this season. And the phrase, ‘hell of a time’ isn’t in a positive or cheerful context. As for the reasons why that is, Rodney Childers, the crew chief of Kevin Harvick, has subtly pointed out.

Replying to a fan on Twitter, the crew chief emphasized, literally, on the aerodynamics in his answer, something which many were already assuming to be the problem behind Ford lagging behind other teams.

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The fan had asked, “What do you believe the number 1 thing the 4 team has to improve on to get a win? Coming to the track a tick more prepared? In race adjustments? Little of both? Really feel like once y’all get the first one many more will come!!”

“Honestly winning cup races can be very easy when you have these things— -An incredible driver -More downforce than everyone else -LESS drag than everyone else -More HP than everyone else -Better setup than everyone else -Great pit stops I’ll let you figure out what we can’t fix,” Childers replied.

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Childers’ answer led to one fan comparing the condition of struggling old-timers like Gene Haas and Roger Penske to newcomers like Michael Jordan and Pitbull, who are thriving under the new system and Next Gen car.

While a few fans simply agreed to the aerodynamic disadvantage that Fords clearly have against the Chevys and the Toyotas.

Crew chief of Kevin Harvick empathizes with the pit crews

Throughout this season, the pit crews have been suffering incredibly hard with adapting to the new car, new methods, and new rules leading to mistakes that are subsequently leading to harsh penalties.

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Justin Fiedler, the tire changer, shared a thread in which he made a case for the woeful situation of the pit crews this season. And it was on that thread that Kevin Harvick’s crew chief got nostalgic as he empathized with the situation of those who literally keep the car running in a race.

USA Today via Reuters

“It’s been tough lately. For 18 years I’ve watched pit road and hardly paid attention to the actual stop. Early in my career I wrecked us on pit road multiple times not watching pit road,” Childers wrote.

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“This year, all I can do is watch the LF. Lucky enough we have been able to back up 3 times.”

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Written by:

Shaharyar Khan Chauhan

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Shaharyar is an F1 & NASCAR writer at EssentiallySports. A graduate in Journalism from Amity University, he has been a passionate follower of motorsports for a better part of the decade. A Max Verstappen and Ferrari supporter, he dreams of a pairing of the two in future.
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Edited by:

Ranvijay Singh