The former NASCAR Cup Series champion has already made his pick for who will win this weekend’s race — and based on recent performance, his reasoning is difficult to argue with.
Speaking on his podcast, Kevin Harvick’s Happy Hour, Harvick pointed to a driver who has quietly put together one of the strongest stretches in the Cup Series.
And in his view, that momentum is about to carry over at one of NASCAR’s most demanding tracks.
Harvick’s Pick: Denny Hamlin
That driver? Denny Hamlin.
“I mean, it is a great run for Denny Hamlin in this stretch of races,” Harvick said. “I mean, why not?”
It’s a straightforward take — but one backed by what Hamlin has been doing week after week.
Rather than overcomplicating the field, Harvick leaned on consistency, recent speed, and a veteran driver who continues to run near the front.
Momentum Is on Hamlin’s Side
Hamlin enters Bristol riding one of the most consistent stretches in the garage.
He has finished inside the top 15 in each of the last six races, showing both speed and stability across different track types.
In the last three races, Hamlin won at Las Vegas, finished 11th at Darlington, and followed that with a second-place run at Martinsville.
That kind of form — especially heading into a short track — makes him a clear threat.
Bristol Has Been One of Hamlin’s Best Tracks
Recent form is only part of the equation.
Hamlin has also been one of the most reliable drivers at Bristol Motor Speedway in recent years.
In the last five races at the track, he has two wins and four top-five finishes — a strong record at a venue known for chaos and tight racing.
Overall, Hamlin owns four career Cup Series wins at Bristol, consistently showing he can manage traffic, tire wear, and the physical demands of the track.
A Simple Pick — But a Logical One
Harvick didn’t need a bold prediction.
Instead, he pointed to what’s already been unfolding — a driver finding speed at the right time and heading into one of his strongest tracks.
“I mean, why not?”
It may be simple.
But heading into Bristol, it’s a pick that makes a lot of sense.
When Is the Bristol NASCAR Race?
The NASCAR Cup Series returns to Bristol Motor Speedway on Sunday, April 12, with the Food City 500 set to begin at 3:00 p.m. ET.
The race will cover 500 laps (266.5 miles) around the high-banked short track, one of the most physically demanding venues on the schedule.
Fans can watch the race live on FS1, with radio coverage available on PRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio.
Kevin Harvick Names His Pick to Win Bristol NASCAR Race