Auto Industry News: California vs the EPA Wages On, Kevin Hart In Classic Barracuda Crash, and Dramatic Race Results

Welcome to Auto News. This week, it’s still California vs the EPA on the emissions front, with the latest round beginning to feel like the setup for a popcorn-worthy political thriller. Drama remains high, as the race results are in from the Formula 1 Italian Grand Prix, NASCAR’s Indy weekend, and NHRA Chevy Performance U.S. Nationals —with some surprising upsets and nail-biting collisions. And speaking of dramatic collisions, we have a closer look at the beautiful blue Barracuda that crashed in Malibu Hills, injuring comedian and actor Kevin Hart.

California vs the EPA: Round 3

Another day, another chapter in the seemingly never-ending war of California vs the EPA over emissions standards. This has been a well-covered issue on The Engine Block, but those unfamiliar can click here, here and here for a rundown.

The latest in the saga: government officials are looking to revoke a waiver granted to the state of California in 2013 under the Clean Air Act, thereby neutralizing the state’s ability to set its own emissions standards. This move would also, presumably, prevent other states from setting their own standards going forward. Both the EPA and the NHTSA are seeking approval to finalize the “One National Program rule,” which enforces a single national fuel economy standard over all 50 states.

Such a ruling would be a major blow to California in its fight to maintain Obama-era standards of fuel consumption (46.7 mpg fleetwide average by 2025), as opposed to the Trump administration’s proposed rollback (37 mpg by 2026).

While the administration argues that the lower standards will reduce new vehicle costs, as well as make financing and insurance more affordable, the Environmental Defense Fund asserts the lax rules would cost motorists at least $200 annually in higher fuel costs.

Strong-arm of the Law

In addition to the proposed rule, the Justice Department is now investigating whether the deal between four major automakers and the state of California violated American antitrust law. Honda, Ford, and BMW all confirmed they received letters from the department warning that their involvement in the deal “may result in legal consequences given the limits placed in federal law on California’s authority.”

Such news confirms two things we’ve speculated for a while now. One, any resolution of this California vs the EPA debate is going to be determined in the courts. And, two: This is going to take a very, very long (and costly) time to sort out.

Despite the DOJ’s involvement, officials from both sides of the aisle have dug in their heels, preparing for a fight. BMW said it “looks forward” to responding to the probe, particularly “to explain the planned (California Air Resources Board) framework agreement and its benefits to consumers and the environment.” California Governor Gavin Newsom blasted the Trump administration for “attempting and failing to bully car companies for months now.” And House Speaker and California Democrat Nancy Pelosi called on the Justice Department to “end this sham investigation and return to policing actual anti-competitive conduct.”

However, Trump administration official Russ Vought, the acting director of the Office of Management and Budget, said in a statement on Friday that, “a handful of irresponsible automakers are aiding California’s radical agenda that will hurt every one of us,” as the state tries “to impose its failed policies on the rest of the country.”

To add fuel to the fire, Vought’s office is expected to put the final stamp of approval on the “One National Program rule” in the coming weeks.

A Closer Look at Kevin Hart Barracuda Crash

It’s been a scary weekend for comedian and actor Kevin Hart, his family, and his many fans. After a car he was a passenger in swerved off the Mulholland Highway in Malibu Hills, and crashed through a wooden fence falling into a gully, Hart fractured his back in three places and needed emergency surgery.

The electric blue 1970 Plymouth Barracuda, which Hart purchased for his 40th birthday and is nicknamed “Menace,” was a special vehicle. Custom-built by SpeedKore, a brand known for its carbon-fiber-bodied muscle cars, this ride wasn’t any ordinary ‘Cuda.

Sporting custom HRE wheels, Baer brakes, a fully custom-upholstered interior, and a modified Dodge Demon 6.2-liter engine swap, this 800+ horsepower monster was a thoroughly modern take on a classic ride. Sean Smith, SpeedKore’s design director, detailed his goals when designing the vehicle in a Hot Rod article, saying, “Our approach is to highlight and preserve the styling of the vehicle that the fan base loves.”

Safety Concerns

However, reports are now filtering through the rumor mill that—despite the many expensive upgrades—certain key safety features were ignored. Tabloid news website, TMZ, was first to break the story and has since followed up its report with news speculating that the vehicle lacked a five-point harness or roll cage. According to the California Highway Patrol incident report, the Barracuda’s roof was crushed in, pinning the driver and a female passenger. Additionally, it appears the car did not have actual provisions for rear-seat passenger protection, as it had been converted into a two-seater long before Kevin Hart owned it.

Reports indicate that Hart is doing well after his surgery and will begin several months of physical therapy. His wife has said that the entertainer is well on his way to recovery and will be “just fine.”

We here at the Engine Block wish him a speedy recovery and hope to see Kevin get back on the stage (and the road) as soon as possible.

Around the Circuit

Formula 1

Team Ferrari’s young phenom Charles Leclerc stirred up controversy this weekend after pushing the limits of the rules to beat out Valtteri Bottas and Lewis Hamilton in the 2019 Italian Grand Prix. 

The 21-year-old driver found himself as the first-place finisher for the second straight week now—Ferrari’s first win on home soil since 2010. While it was an impressive performance from Leclerc, many fans and fellow racers questioned his tactics while fending off Hamilton in the middle laps.

As Hamilton attempted to pass Leclerc with an undercut, Leclerc moved over and bumped Hamilton slightly off the track. Hamilton complained about the exchange over team radio, saying, “There is some dangerous driving going on.” Despite the complaints, however, Leclerc wasn’t cautioned and held off Valtteri Bottas in second and Lewis Hamilton in third for the win. 

After the race, Leclerc was thrilled, but critical of his own performance. “I did a few mistakes, but at the end I finished first.” Leclerc continued. “Very happy with this. I need to be careful with the mistakes. But none of them made me lose position today.”

Drivers will have a few weeks to relax and recharge before the Singapore Grand Prix on September 22 at Marina Bay Street Circuit

NASCAR

Monster Energy Series

Kevin Harvick dominated the field this weekend to win the Brickyard 400 and gain momentum going into the 10-race playoffs. Finishing first, the 2016 champ finished a full 6 seconds ahead of second-place Joey Logano and 8 seconds ahead of Bubba Wallace, who saw a season-best third place. Harvick was in total control from start to finish, only surrendering the lead for a short 19 lap stretch. 

This is Harvick’s third win of the season and 48th of his career, tying him for 15th all time.

As the final race of NASCAR’s Monster Energy Cup Series regular season, hopes—and tensions—were high. Back in the field, drama heated up as seven-time champ Jimmie Johnson wrecked after 105 laps, marking the first time in his career that he will miss the playoffs. Last year’s Brickyard 400 winner, Brad Keselowski also hit some trouble during the race, crashing into last week’s Darlington winner, Erik Jones, just around 50 laps in. Blaming the “atrocious angle” of the Indianapolis barrier, Keselowski said, “I don’t know what that spot is for but it does not need to be there. But we found it. That is how racing goes. We find the things.”

Both he and Jones, as well as winner Harvick, will hit the playoffs on September 15 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.

Xfinity Series

Kyle Busch continued his dominance at Indianapolis Motor Speedway this weekend, beating out frontrunners Christoper Bell and Tyler Reddick with only seven laps left. After a crash took out Bell and Reddick as they battled for the lead, Busch capitalized and held off Justin Allgaier by .132 seconds to win at the Brickyard—his fourth in seven starts and the 96th time in his career overall. 

After the race, Busch acknowledged that while he ran a good race, the wreck did have a big impact on things. “It was really tough to pass, even when you had a run on a guy,” Busch said in Victory Lane. “You could pass the guys who were set up for long-runs on the straightaways but some of those other guys, like (Bell, Brandon Jones) and the JGR guys, they were stupid fast.”

Next up for XFinity series drivers is the DC Solar 300 on September 14 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. 

NHRA

While there was no NHRA action this week, let’s take a second to recap some of the biggest winners from the 65th annual Chevy Performance U.S. Nationals over Labor Day Weekend.

Top Fuel

Finally, after long last, we can chalk up a win for Doug Kalitta at the NHRA’s oldest and most prestigious event. Able to outlast Billy Torrence in his 22nd start at Indy, he became the third-straight, first-time Indy Top Fuel winner, the 30th in Indy history and took second place in the standings. 

Funny Car

Even at age 70, John Force is still making history. Force won his record-tying fifth Chevy Performance U.S. Nationals Funny Car title, breaking a 17-year drought by beating out Jack Beckman for career win number 151. The oldest pro to win in the event’s history, this victory cements his legacy as one of the sport’s best contenders. 

Pro Stock

Alex Laughlin broke a 41-race winless streak in one of the weirdest races of the day last weekend, winning by the nose of his Havoline Camaro for a narrow 6.64 second victory. “I can’t even talk right now,” said Laughlin, who now has three Pro Stock wins in seven final rounds in his career. “I could see that I was pulling on her, and then I saw a win light. This is just unbelievable.”

Pro Stock Motorcycle

Jerry Savoie has a knack for pulling out the win at the NHRA’s biggest stage. Well into his 60s, Savoie made the four quickest runs on race day to win his tenth career final round. Overwhelmed by his performance after the race, Savoie fought back tears when talking about his win. “When I started doing this, I said all along that I just wanted to win one race. You’ve got to realize at my age … my day is coming. I only planned to be out here for a couple of years. I’ve been here for eight now. It’s tough. To all the armchair quarterbacks out there, if you think this is so easy, come and get you some.”