Kevin Harvick Bets on Austin Cindric for Atlanta Victory Following Strong Daytona Performance
As NASCAR gears up for the second race of the 2025 season at Atlanta Motor Speedway, all eyes are on the drivers who shined during the Daytona 500. Among the top performers from Speedweek, Kevin Harvick has his sights set on Austin Cindric, predicting that the Team Penske driver will take home the win at Atlanta.
Harvick, a seasoned veteran and 2014 Cup Series champion, shared his prediction on the latest episode of his “Happy Hour” podcast. Despite the wreck-filled chaos at Daytona, Harvick sees Cindric as a prime contender for the Atlanta race, thanks to the advantages of his car and momentum. The 2022 Daytona 500 winner has proven himself at superspeedways, and Harvick believes this momentum will carry him through the Atlanta weekend.
“I’m going with Austin Cindric. He’s been up front at all the superspeedway races,” Harvick said. “I think this is a good week for them to have a chance to win.”
Harvick’s prediction follows a strong performance by the Ford teams at Daytona, which Cindric is part of. The Ford advantage, coupled with Cindric’s clean racing and consistency, makes him a standout pick for the upcoming race at the semi-superspeedway.
Other Predictions: Logano, Wallace, and Blaney in the Mix
Harvick’s podcast co-host Kaitlyn Vincie also picked a Ford driver, favoring reigning champion Joey Logano. Logano had the fastest car at Daytona but was caught up in a wreck. Vincie sees the 2022 champion as a strong contender at Atlanta, given his recent success on similar tracks.
“I’m going with Joey Logano, he’s won two in the last four, including September,” Vincie added.
Meanwhile, Mamba Smith, another NASCAR insider, believes that Bubba Wallace could make an upset victory at Atlanta. Wallace, who won Duel 1 at Daytona, has good momentum, and Smith is confident in his ability to stay at the front of the pack during the race.
“My brain says Ryan Blaney, he’s always in the front of these,” Smith noted. “But my gut is telling me Bubba Wallace.”
Cindric’s Clean Racing Could Be Key
While all the predictions point to a competitive field at Atlanta, Harvick’s pick of Cindric stands out due to the driver’s consistent, clean racing style. Cindric’s ability to stay out of trouble during Daytona, compared to others who found themselves involved in incidents, gives him an edge as NASCAR heads into Atlanta’s chaotic superspeedway race.
With strong performances already in his 2025 season, Cindric will be looking to capitalize on his momentum and prove Harvick’s prediction correct at the upcoming race on Sunday.
