NASCAR disciplines Kevin Harvick, race team over alleged Next Gen violations

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NASCAR driver Kevin Harvick was penalized Wednesday due to alleged modifications found on his Ford at Talladega Superspeedway.

Stewart-Haas Racing and Harvick were docked 100 points respectively. Meanwhile, crew chief Rodney Childers was suspended for the next four races and will have to pay a $100,000 fine.

 The penalties were for "modification of a single source supplied part," NASCAR said.

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Kevin Harvick, driver of the #4 Busch Light Ford, waves to fans as he walks onstage during driver intros prior to the NASCAR Cup Series YellaWood 500 at Talladega Superspeedway on Oct. 2, 2022 in Talladega, Alabama. (Chris Graythen/Getty Images)

Mere minutes before the penalty came down, Harvick sent a Tweet saying, "Seems strange…"

Harvick is known for being outspoken and went on a tangent last week about the safety of the Next Gen car. The No. 4 Ford was selected to be taken from Talladega to its North Carolina R&D Center for a deeper inspection.

NASCAR maintains that the selection of cars for postrace inspection at the R&D Center is done randomly. 

But competitors remain suspicious.

"Shocking," Childers sarcastically replied to NASCAR's tweet announcing the penalty.

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NASCAR President Steve Phelps defended the penalty to the No. 4 team.

"I would say that's ridiculous. No one has a vendetta against Kevin Harvick or Rodney, at all, or anyone at Stewart-Haas Racing," Phelps said. "Our guys are very good. They are going to look at (an infraction). Look at it again. Look at it a third time to make sure