I have had many people ask me what I thought about the end of the NASCAR Sprint Cup race at Talladega and Kevin Harvick’s part in it. Here is what I think.

First of all let me point out that this is simply my opinion and nothing more. It could be right, it could be wrong. You can agree with it or disagree with it. It is simply how I see the whole situation.

When I was asked if I thought Kevin intentionally caused the wreck to ensure he would advance on the Chase Grid I had to respond it looked like it to me. I will agree with the TV commentators that the only person who knows 100% the answer to that question is Kevin himself. Obviously he will say that it was not intentional no matter if that is accurate or not.

Why do I think it was intentional? The first re-start he moved to the high side of the track to get out of the way. On the second re-start Kevin said he was going to hold his line. When the green flag waived and a car moved high to go around him Kevin moved up the track causing that car to spin and start the wreck that brought out the yellow flag and ended the race.

With all of that being said, here is my take on the incident either way, intended or accidental. Obviously if it was intentional it speaks for itself. However, let’s just say that the crash was accidental and not an intentional act by Kevin.

If that is the case, Kevin knew his engine was about to expire. He told his crew that he had the throttle held wide open just to stay at pace car lap speed. I mentioned this to my wife when I was explaining what happened to her. Her response was, “Isn’t there a minimum speed they have to go or NASCAR will black flag them?” I told her yes, but since they were running under caution that had not become an issue for NASCAR yet.

So, here is how I see it if the crash was not an intentional act. Kevin knew his car would not go fast enough to maintain the minimum speed under green flag conditions according to what he said on the radio under caution. He decided to stay on the track in line with the other cars that would be accelerating quickly on the re-start. In that situation how could you expect there to NOT be a crash by an actual act by Kevin or not. To me, that means that he put his own needs above those of the sport and the fans. It was Kevin’s action of remaining on the track in line with the other cars that ultimately stole the chance for the fans to see a race to the finish at Talladega.

NASCAR said they would not penalize Kevin because they neither saw nor heard any evidence that he intentionally caused the crash. However, they have penalized drivers for actions away from the track and after the race at the track (fighting, cursing in live interviews, etc.) for “actions detrimental to NASCAR.” I personally think that Kevin’s decision to remain on the track and in line would fall under that term “actions detrimental to NASCAR.”

Again, that is just my opinion … I could be wrong.

Below are videos of a few driver interviews regarding the race and incident.

By: Buck Stevens