"Now I'm even more worried" - Kevin Harvick intensifies criticism of Toyota engines as NASCAR playoffs loom

Toyota's engine failures have become a major talking point this season and Kevin Harvick is the latest NASCAR figure to speak on it. The former NASCAR driver shared that he was worried about the engine as the sport heads for the playoffs in a month's time.

Drivers using the Toyotas have been plagued by mechanical issues with engines. It has occurred on more than one occasion for Ty Gibbs, who faced it twice in recent weeks, Denny Hamlin and Christopher Bell.

Harvick said on his "Happy Hour" podcast:

"We’ve seen this before with the Toyota engine group. In these situations, you have to be on edge because we’ve seen similar issues in the playoffs. Now, there have been four engine problems in quick succession, indicating a significant issue. With high RPM race tracks where engines are tested, these issues are a major concern as we head into the playoffs. It seems like these problems could arise at any moment." [at 30:45]

"We saw the hood raised, and I texted Bob today to confirm if he heard the same engine issues on the radio, which they said they would address next week. I was concerned last week, and now I'm even more worried because these issues keep recurring - now it's been about five races," he added.

Hamlin and Bell have already qualified for the playoffs. Gibbs is expected to follow suit but such issues can jeopardize their playoff run, something Kyle Busch faced back in 2022 at Darlington and Bristol.

So far, five Toyota drivers have potentially made it to the playoffs. Besides Hamlin, Bell and Gibbs, Martin Truex Jr. and Tyler Reddick are also in the position to go into the post-season.

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How did Toyota engine failures ruin drivers' runs?

Long Pond, Pennsylvania, USA; NASCAR Cup Series driver Ty Gibbs (54) is pushed on pit road after suffering an engine failure during The Great American Getaway 400 at Pocono Raceway. Mandatory Credit: Matthew O'Haren-USA TODAY Sports

Things started with Christopher Bell when he blew his Toyota Camry engine at Getaway Motorsports Park during the Enjoy Illinois 300 race at World Wide Technology Raceway. He finished seventh but the engine issue denied him a higher position.

The issue persisted and it was Denny Hamlin next. The #11 driver faced engine problems at the Toyota/Save Mart 350 at Sonoma Raceway and retired after only two laps.

Ty Gibbs faced engine-related problems twice. First at The Great American Getaway 400 Presented by VisitPA.com at Pocono Raceway where he started the race from pole position. He had to retire after running 132 laps. Secondly, at the recently-concluded Brickyard 400 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway last Sunday.