As the 2024 NASCAR Cup season nears its thrilling conclusion, the focus shifts to Las Vegas, where the Round of 8 will determine which drivers advance to the Championship 4. With eight drivers left standing—three of them former champions—competition is fierce, and everyone is fighting for a shot at NASCAR’s ultimate prize.
Former Cup Series champion Kevin Harvick weighed in on the contenders during a recent episode of his podcast, offering a bold prediction of which four drivers he believes will reach the final showdown.
Harvick’s Picks: Byron, Larson, Bell, and Reddick
Harvick first locked in two Hendrick Motorsports standouts—William Byron and Kyle Larson—alongside Toyota’s Christopher Bell and Tyler Reddick. He cited Reddick’s potential to shine on the remaining tracks, particularly with his strength on 1.5-mile circuits.
“I think, for me, William Byron, Kyle Larson, Christopher Bell, and Tyler Reddick. I just think that Reddick is going to be able to get it done on one of these two race tracks,” Harvick explained. “I don’t see [Joey] Logano and [Ryan] Blaney having the speed.”
Chase Elliott: Consistency Over Dominance
Though many see Chase Elliott as a formidable presence in the playoffs, Harvick pointed out that despite his consistency, Elliott hasn’t displayed the dominance needed to secure a spot in the Championship 4.
“Elliott has been very consistent, and he’s had quality, good finishes, but I just haven’t seen that dominance out of those three guys,” Harvick said.
A Wild Card: Denny Hamlin
Harvick also mentioned Denny Hamlin as the wild card in the playoff equation. Despite choosing Hamlin as his championship favorite earlier in the season, Harvick showed hesitation, citing Hamlin’s struggles. Yet, in the end, Harvick couldn’t go against his own preseason pick.
“I know he’s my championship pick, but I think it’s going to be tough for him if they don’t win Martinsville,” Harvick admitted. “So, my toss-up right now is, do I leave Tyler Reddick in there, and say he’s my guy? I’ve got to go with Denny Hamlin, right? I can’t go against my pick.”
Ultimately, Harvick decided to swap Reddick out in favor of Hamlin, though he acknowledged feeling less than confident about the move.
Kyle Larson: Harvick’s Pick for Las Vegas
Looking ahead to Las Vegas, Harvick placed his trust in Kyle Larson and the No. 5 team, praising Larson’s dominant performance at the Roval and backing his speed heading into Sin City.
“It’s hard to go against Kyle Larson,” Harvick said. “He won the first race there, dominated this last week, so I’m going to stick with that Kyle Larson, Cliff Daniels train as they head back to Las Vegas.”
Will Team Penske Surprise?
While Harvick’s predictions reflect the current favorites, Team Penske’s Joey Logano and Ryan Blaney remain formidable opponents. Logano, a past champion, and Blaney, known for his clutch performances, could still turn the tide and crash Harvick’s Championship 4 party.
As the NASCAR Cup season reaches its climax, Harvick’s picks offer plenty of intrigue, but with so much on the line, anything can happen. Stay tuned as the field narrows, and the fight for the 2024 Cup title heats up in Las Vegas.
