Kevin Harvick Bets on Austin Cindric to Win 2026 Regular Season Finale at Daytona

The NASCAR Cup Series garage is at the Daytona International Speedway this weekend for the 26^th race of the season. Drivers will be going all out to win the regular season finale and place them in a solid spot for the championship chase.

Ex-Cup Series champion Kevin Harvick via his Happy Hour podcast has predicted who he is expecting to be the difference maker and pull off a strong run. The veteran picked Austin Cindric, who is currently P15 in the table to secure the race win.

I’m gonna go first. I’m gonna take Austin Cindric.

Kevin Harvick said on his podcast.

It is a bold prediction considering the 2026 season so far has been nothing but average for the No:2 Ford Mustang Dark Horse driver. Austin Cindric has secured just 599 points, hasn’t secured a win since Talladega last year and has only finished inside the top 10 five times this year.

His Dayton form in the Next-Gen era has been a mix bag as well. In 2022, his debut year he won the Daytona 500 and finished P3 in the regular season finale. But since then, he has secured just one top 10 finish at the iconic venue. His good form in other Superspeedways like Talladega and Atlanta is the only positive.

Kevin Harvick’s co-hots makes bold predictions

The co-hosts of Kevin Harvick‘s Happy Hour podcast also made their picks for the winner. Broadcaster Kaitlyn Vincie went with Joe Gibbs Racing’s Chase Briscoe, who is currently P6 in the championship table. It’s a really bold choice considering Superspeedway racing isn’t the racer’ strong forte and he has never secured a top 10 finish in the second race at Daytona once.

I was going with Chase Briscoe this weekend. I pick Briscoe.

Kaitlyn Vincie predicted via Happy Hour podcast.

The third host of the show Mamba Smith made the wildest choice. He is banking on 23XI Racing’s Riley Herbst, who is having a season to forget to win his maiden Cup race. It would be pretty special for the racer if he can win the event, as he is on his way out as Corey Heim is set to replace him for 2027.

I’m gonna blow your mind. Give me Riley Herbst.  The way he usually runs at superspeedways really well. He’s one of the best teammates to have behind you, going to the finish. He came pretty close at the Daytona 500.

Mamba Smith said.

The predictions from all three broadcasters are really bold, considering the recent form and history of the three drivers picked.  It would be interesting to see if one of them made the right choice for Sunday or will a fourth driver will take the trophy home.

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