Kevin Harvick explains why he ‘hates’ code words in NASCAR in wake of Denny Hamlin confusion

Consider Kevin Harvick against using code words in NASCAR. After they played a role in Denny Hamlin’s disappointing weekend at Texas Motor Speedway, the former Cup Series champion decided to take a hardline stance on the matter.

For context, Hamlin was penalized for speeding on pit road. He went down pit road twice, because too many people were talking on the radio at the same time and he heard the “Cowboys” code-word. 

“You can’t call a team that’s the same f***ing name as another …. Never mind,” Hamlin said on the radio. “You boys were talking over each other, and I heard ‘Cowboys,’ and obviously I looked at my card.”

It was a tough break for Hamlin, who was looking to bounce back after a P21 finish at Talladega last week. Afterwards, his engine caught on fire during Stage 1, ruining his entire afternoon before he could make anything of it.

After the comedy of errors, Harvick took to the latest episode of Kevin Harvick’s Happy Hour to discuss the matter. Evidently, it only took one mistake using code words for him to throw out the entire strategy when he was behind the wheel.

“I hate the code words,” Harvick stated. “I know a lot of them use the code words. I feel like it’s follow the leader in some of those scenarios. I never like — we screwed the code word up one time and I’m like, ‘We’re done with code words.’ Just tell me when to pit.

“We’re going to put two or four tires on. Don’t really care. Just say it. I don’t — if they want to copy our strategy, that’s fine. Let’s beat them out of the pits.”

While NASCAR teams are trying to gain an advantage anyway they can, it’s evident Harvick believes there’s better ways to do it than using code-words. They’ve burned him in the past, and now it hurt Hamlin at a track where he’s had success in the past.

Now, Kevin Harvick and Denny Hamlin will turn their attention to Kansas Speedway. The latter will be hoping to get the job done and bounce back in a big way after his performance at Texas Motor Speedway. He’s had some fun times in The Sunflower State, and we’ll see if more are on the way for the No. 11 team.