With the Great American Race just days away, 2014 NASCAR Cup Series champion Kevin Harvick has put his money on Ryan Blaney to take the checkered flag at the 2025 Daytona 500.
Harvick believes the 2023 Cup Series champion has all the right ingredients to finally get his breakthrough win at Daytona, where he has finished runner-up twice.
🗣️ Harvick on Blaney:
“I would say my best bet would probably be Ryan Blaney. I just, I love the speed, I love the enthusiasm. I think he’s a good superspeedway racer. He’s proven that through the years.”
Blaney has already proven to be a top-tier restrictor plate racer, with wins at Talladega and Daytona in the summer race, but never in the 500. Harvick thinks that’s about to change.
Why Blaney? Harvick’s Logic
✅ Proven Superspeedway Ability – Blaney has been one of the best in pack racing over the last few years.
✅ Championship Pedigree – Now that he’s a Cup Series champion, Blaney knows how to close out big races.
✅ Momentum & Experience – After multiple close calls, Harvick believes Blaney is due for his big moment at Daytona.
🗣️ Harvick continued:
“I think it’s like we talked earlier, it’s time those marquee races, those marquee moments, he’s going to capitalize on some of those as we go through. May not be this year. Might be this year. But I think he has enough experience now.”
If Blaney can seal the deal at Daytona, it would cement him as a true superstar in the sport and put him on the fast track for another deep playoff run.
Other Daytona 500 Predictions from the “Happy Hour” Podcast
🔹 Chase Elliott (Hendrick Motorsports) – One co-host picked Elliott, citing his swagger and confidence to start the year. Elliott has never won the Daytona 500 but has been in contention multiple times.
🔹 Denny Hamlin (Joe Gibbs Racing) – Another co-host is backing three-time Daytona 500 winner Hamlin, who has consistently been one of the best superspeedway racers in the sport.
Who’s Your Pick?
🏁 Will Harvick’s prediction of a Ryan Blaney victory come true? Or will Elliott, Hamlin, or another surprise contender steal the show? Let’s hear your predictions! 🔥
