For years, NASCAR has faced relentless criticism over its decision-making. First, it was the introduction of the playoff system, popularly called “The Joey Logano rule.” In the words of Denny Hamlin, “We’re in a sport where you can get caught up in so many wrecks and different things that can happen….. There are 26 (regular season) races and they are proving to be not that substantial to winning a championship and that’s not something you want.” Then are the poor broadcasting quality, with fans voicing frustration over missed action and excessive commercials. Safety concerns, inconsistent penalties, and even the controversial Next-Gen car durability issues, you name it, they have it.

If you think, “Boogity Boogity Boogity! Let’s go Racin’ boys,” is the only thing missing from the sport, think again. Now, as the 2025 season unfolds, the trend continues with one questionable call after another. From restart violations to last-lap caution decisions, NASCAR’s officiating is once again under fire. One of the most vocal critics? None other than Kevin ‘Happy’ Harvick. The retired Cup Series champion has never been one to hold back, and his latest rant on NASCAR’s inconsistent officiating has sent shockwaves through the racing community.

NASCAR’s officiating woes continue to frustrate drivers and fans in 2025

Let’s revisit the 2025 Shriners Children’s 500 at the Phoenix Raceway. Joey Logano crossed the yellow line while running the race, ensuring that a penalty comes his way and finishing P13. Harvick feels that these calls by NASCAR are not consistent enough. Recalling a moment between Joey Logano and Austin Dillon in Richmond’s Cook Out 400, where the latter secured victory. But, the fight’s main action happened near the yellow line.

Recalling this, Kevin Harvick said, “It’s super easy, like that call is super easy. ‘Did we see anybody else get close to the start-finish line below the line for the rest of the day?’ No. Nobody close. Our booth was right above the start-finish line. Nobody was even close the rest of the day and it’s just like the restarts, right? Like there were a couple of those restarts at the end. I was like, ‘Man, it looked to me like the outside guy jumped the inside guy or entered the zone’ um.. And took off before the control car did.” The race had ended with Dillon sending Logano on a crazy spin to collide with the outer wall. After the post-race inspection, the Richard Childress Racing driver was declared the winner.

“But those inconsistencies like when when they didn’t make that call with Denny, that’s the kind of crap I’m tired of. Like I’m tired of the inconsistencies that go with the officiating. It has been absolute c—,” Kevin Harvick summarized his frustrations with NASCAR’s officiating lately. He emphasized that the lack of consistency not only damages the integrity of the sport but also frustrates the drivers who rely on clear and fair rulings to guide their strategy.

Just 4 races in, NASCAR’s 2025 season has been marred by countless controversies. The Daytona 500, for instance, was marred by a cheating scandal involving weight modifications, leading to severe penalties for two teams. The race also saw controversy over NASCAR’s decision not to throw a caution flag during a late crash, allowing the race to finish under green. This decision sparked debate among drivers and fans, with some arguing it was the right call to avoid altering the race’s outcome, while others felt safety should have been prioritized. But, why is NASCAR getting the blame when the officials calling the situation deserve it? Well, Harvick has answers.

“The reason that you’re getting trash is because of the fact that you’re not consistent,” Kevin Harvick said, reflecting on the inconsistencies with the caution flag decisions. However, caution flag incidents aren’t the only source of frustration for NASCAR officials. At COTA, NASCAR’s handling of track limits was widely criticized. They allowed several drivers to exceed track limits without penalty at Turn 6. However, Kyle Larson saw himself become a victim of a track limit penalty in Turn 3. Also, another such incident of NASCAR justice reached us in the exact same race!

Yes! It’s the ‘Austin Cindric incident’. Cindric intentionally spun Ty Dillon by hooking his car on the right rear, causing Dillon to spin out on the frontstretch at COTA. Despite this being classified as an intentional wreck, NASCAR opted for a $50,000 fine and a 50-point penalty rather than a one-race suspension, which had been the precedent for similar incidents in the past, such as those involving Bubba Wallace and Chase Elliott. But, is there a solution?

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A piece of advice coming from drivers

Turns out, the only solution is, consistency. Mamba Smith offered a simple piece of advice to NASCAR officials in light of the recent incidents: “But if you stand your ground at least it’s the same every time and nobody can question your thought process.” Logano faced a penalty for dipping below the yellow line before crossing the start/finish line. It forced Logano to relinquish the lead and serve a pass-through through the pit lane.

While the decision drew widespread criticism, NASCAR has stood firm in its decision. Harvick argues that NASCAR should adopt such an approach when dealing with any incident. “It’s super easy, like that call is super easy,” he said. “Did we see anybody else get close to the start-finish line below the line for the rest of the day? No. Nobody close,” he further added, reinforcing the impact of the tough stance by NASCAR.

The controversies don’t seem to end, and we are not even through the first couple of months of the 2025 season. With such inconsistencies continuing to plague NASCAR, the big question remains: Will NASCAR finally take the necessary steps to restore confidence in its officiating, or will these ongoing issues undermine the credibility of the sport for years to come?