Kevin Harvick has expressed serious concerns about persistent fire issues with Ford vehicles after Josh Berry’s Wood Brothers Racing car caught fire during the 2025 Bass Pro Shops Night Race at Bristol Motor Speedway. The incident occurred on Saturday night, prematurely ending Berry’s playoff hopes and drawing attention to safety and reliability problems with Ford’s Next Gen cars.
Berry’s No. 21 Ford became engulfed in smoke and flames before the end of stage one, turning what was meant to be an opportunity to rebound in the NASCAR Playoffs into a dangerous episode on the track. Harvick addressed the situation on his Happy Hour podcast, emphasizing that these fire problems have continued despite the changes in the vehicles since his driving career ended.
Harvick’s Assessment of Ford’s Ongoing Fire Challenges
During the podcast discussion, Harvick pinpointed Ford’s exhaust and underbody designs as possible contributors to why their cars seem more prone to catching fire than competitors. He referenced the buildup of rubber around the exhaust pipes as a factor increasing the risk.
Well, there’s something that hasn’t changed since I quit driving. The car, the Fords, still catch on fire,
Harvick noted while analyzing the incident.
So I think that with all the rubber and everything with their exhaust pipes and everything that they have going on, it sure seems like the Fords are definitely catching on fire a lot easier than the other two manufacturers with whatever they have.
– Kevin Harvick, NASCAR driver and commentator
Harvick described Berry’s ordeal as particularly harrowing, highlighting how the driver struggled to see through the thick smoke while trying to make it to the pits safely.
This is a scary deal right here. Josh rode this thing out for a while. You can see that he can’t see the pit stall. And being in that position before with it when it starts burning all the carbon fiber and the foam and everything that is right there at the exhaust pipes, it is nasty smoke,
Harvick added.
Josh Berry’s Troubles Culminate in Playoff Run Ending Ablaze
Berry’s troubles in the 2025 playoffs began earlier with a first-lap spin at Darlington, followed by a wreck at Gateway the previous week. The fire at Bristol marked the final blow, forcing Berry to finish last in his first three postseason races and ending his shot at advancing in the championship.
Ford teams have repeatedly faced similar fire-related failures during the current Next Gen car era, despite NASCAR’s ongoing modifications to reduce such risks. This pattern has sparked concern within Ford’s camp and across the garage, with many suggesting that Ford’s models have lagged behind rivals Chevrolet and Toyota in terms of mechanical sturdiness this season.
Harvick’s warning about Ford vehicles “still catching on fire” serves as both a safety alert and a broader commentary on the challenges Ford is struggling to overcome amid stiff competition. The consistent issues could impact Ford teams’ confidence and performance as the Cup season continues.
Implications for Ford and NASCAR Moving Forward
The repeated fire incidents involving Ford cars raise questions about the Next Gen car design’s durability and safety, especially in high-stakes playoff races. If these problems persist, they could lead to increased scrutiny from NASCAR officials, prompt further technical revisions, and influence team strategies.
For Josh Berry and Wood Brothers Racing, the 2025 postseason has become a harsh lesson in unpredictability and equipment vulnerability. Meanwhile, Kevin Harvick’s voiced concerns highlight the urgent need for Ford to reevaluate its engineering as the competition intensifies among manufacturers.
