Kevin Harvick reveals aggressive pit road tactics behind new NASCAR rules, discusses Kyle Larson's penalty

Kevin Harvick recently shared his thoughts on Kyle Larson's vehicle interference penalty on the pit road. Moreover, he opined on the aggressive pit-boxing strategy drivers used to follow before NASCAR implemented the new rule.

In an attempt to make the most of his time while pitting, the Hendrick Motorsports driver Larson came close to the already stationed #43 car and its crew members. As a result, NASCAR penalized the #5 team at the end of Stage 2 and forced it to start at the back of the field.

Speaking in an episode of his Happy Hour podcast, the former Cup Series champion Harvick while discussing Larson's penalty talked about the dangerous tactic that led to NASCAR's "orange box" mark near the pit box signifying the margin for drivers.

"If you felt like those pit crew guys were too far out on pit road, you'd brush them. You'd definitely brush them and try to knock tires out of the..." [19:08]

To his surprise, the podcast's co-host Mamba Smith asked Harvick if he was joking about it but the 48-year-old added to the conversation and said:

"You know, if those guys are too wide and you thought that they weren't giving you space, I mean, you'd definitely make them think twice about coming around that car while I was coming into the pit box. You know not games that need to be played and NASCAR kind of put their foot down on all that."

According to NASCAR's rule book, the drivers are expected to be on the side of the diagonal orange line painted on top of the pit box. Moreover, an orange box is painted on the side that gives a reference to NASCAR officials.

Here's the rule explained by Fox Sports journalist Bob Pockrass in a graphic format on X:

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Kyle Larson handed an apology to the Hendrick Motorsports team post the Watkins Glen penalty

Kyle Larson is in his fourth full-time season with the Rick Hendrick-led team and is one of the top contenders to win his second title. However, things haven't been smooth for the 2021 Cup Series champion.

In the second Round of 16 race, Larson was handed an interference penalty which caused him to move back of the field. As a result, the 32-year-old apologized.

Renowned journalist Jordan Bianchi reported Larson's statement in a post on X and wrote:

"Kyle Larson apologizes for the penalty, saying he thought he was being "extremely cautious."

Despite his penalty, the #5 Chevy driver finished P12 at the Go Bowling at Glen and gathered one point. Moreover, in his first playoff race, Larson ended in a DNF after crashing with Chase Briscoe. This rounded up to be his fifth DNF of the season.

With four wins, ten top-fives, and 13 top-10 finishes, Larson now stands P9 in the overall standings and is 26 points above the playoff cutline.

Kyle Larson will be next seen in action for the Bass Pro Shops Night Race at Bristol Motor Speedway on September 21 at 7 pm ET.