{"id":69822,"date":"2025-07-17T12:02:10","date_gmt":"2025-07-17T12:02:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/69822\/"},"modified":"2025-07-17T12:02:10","modified_gmt":"2025-07-17T12:02:10","slug":"make-that-make-sense-kevin-harvick-insider-fires-back-at-nascar-fans-over-growing-road-course-backlash","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/69822\/","title":{"rendered":"\u2018Make That Make Sense\u2019 \u2013 Kevin Harvick Insider Fires Back at NASCAR Fans Over Growing Road Course Backlash"},"content":{"rendered":"

NASCAR<\/a>.com\u2019s analyst, Mamba Smith, has never shied away from challenging popular opinion. Known for speaking his mind, he\u2019s now weighed in on the growing backlash surrounding the sport\u2019s road course races.<\/p>\n

Smith, who also co-hosts Kevin Harvick\u2019s \u201cHappy Hour\u201d podcast, took to social media to explain why he believes the \u201ctoo many road courses\u201d debate is misguided.<\/p>\n

NASCAR Analyst Mamba Smith Pushes Back on Road Course Complaints<\/p>\n

Before the glitz of superspeedways and the roar of modern mega-venues, NASCAR was built on the back of its short tracks. Circuits like Rockingham, North Wilkesboro, and Martinsville served as crucibles for competition, demanding razor-sharp driving and unwavering focus from the drivers. These tracks were where grassroots racing thrived, and where the sport first captured hearts across America.<\/p>\n

Back then, Riverside International Raceway was the lone road course on the schedule. But road courses are no longer a one-off test for NASCAR drivers.<\/p>\n

The 2025 NASCAR schedule features five road-course events, COTA, Mexico City, Sonoma, Watkins Glen, and the Charlotte Roval, along with a high-profile street race in Chicago. The overall schedule is still oval-heavy, but road course racing has now become an important part of NASCAR racing.<\/p>\n

However, there is a growing sentiment that road courses are not truly NASCAR, as\u00a0Richard Petty put it<\/a>, and that some drivers are getting an unfair advantage because of the large number of them.<\/p>\n

The debate intensified after Shane van Gisbergen, still winless on ovals and sitting 26th in the Cup Series standings, secured a playoff spot with three victories on street courses.<\/p>\n

After years of declining attendance at Richmond, NASCAR moved the Cup race weekend to Mexico City this year, and judging by the packed Aut\u00f3dromo Hermanos Rodr\u00edguez, it proved to be the right decision. However, the addition of another road course has stirred discontent among a portion of the NASCAR community.<\/p>\n

Smith has recently responded to a comment<\/a> on X that brought up the issue. The comment read, \u201cYet we keep adding road courses and built a car more in common with what reaces at Le Mans than in the Xfinity series.\u201d The user was implying that NASCAR was prioritizing road courses over ovals and is losing its identity.<\/p>\n

\n

Ya\u2019ll are really hard up on this\u2026
Last year:
Cota
Sonoma
Watkins Glen
Roval
Chicago<\/p>\n

I didn\u2019t hear a peep about too many road courses. Matter of fact the conversation was some of the best racing was on them.<\/p>\n

And people were mad about Richmond.<\/p>\n

They exchange one Richmond for\u2026 https:\/\/t.co\/xMnXzNyLvA<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Mamba Smith (@MambaSmith34) July 16, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

Smith wasn\u2019t having any of it, however. He came up with a strong response. First, he pointed out that the most liked races last year were road course races.<\/p>\n

\u201cYa\u2019ll are really hard up on this\u2026 Last year: Cota, Sonoma, Watkins Glen, Roval, Chicago, I didn\u2019t hear a peep about too many road courses. Matter of fact the conversation was some of the best racing was on them,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

Then, he talked about Richmond\u2019s poor performance and how better Mexico City was in its place. So, objecting to that move doesn\u2019t make any sense.<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd people were mad about Richmond. They exchange one Richmond for Mexico and now it\u2019s WAY TOO MANY road courses. Make that make sense,\u201d Smith added.<\/p>\n