Kevin Harvick bets on Denny Hamlin to win at Martinsville

Ex-NASCAR Cup Series champion Kevin Harvick expects Joe Gibbs Racing veteran Denny Hamlin to win this Sunday at Martinsville.

Kevin Harvick bets on Denny Hamlin to win at Martinsville

Kevin Harvick and Denny Hamlin (Via IMAGO)

The 2025 NASCAR Cup season is set for the seventh race of the season, hosted at the iconic Martinsville Speedway. The fight for the grandfather clock in the Cook Out 400, is expected to be intense, with multiple race winners in fine form and in situation where then need a victory sooner than later.

2014 Cup Series champion Kevin Harvick via his podcast, Happy Hours, has shared his thoughts on who is going to win the race. He believes Joe Gibbs Racing veteran Denny Hamlin, who has previously secured multiple wins at the track, is going to win the race as they are in a strong position and it’s a track, they can easily take advantage of.

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I’m taking the 11. I’m taking Denny Hamlin. I think that this is his track. I think they have put themselves in a position to take advantage of the weekend, and this is the week that he goes to Victory Lane.

Kevin Harvick said via Happy Hour Podcast.

The prediction from Kevin Harvick seems reasonable and on point. The TRD veteran was strong last Sunday at Homestead Miami and had a car fast enough to challenge for the win. He also seems to have found the confidence require to end his frustrating winless streak in the Cup series, that started in the second half of 2024.

Kevin Harvick’s co-host Kaitlyn Vincie predicts a Ryan Blaney win

The ex-Stewart Haas Racing driver’s co-host of the podcast, Kaitlyn Vince also picked a former winner as her pick for the race win. She believes the 2023 NASCAR Cup Series champion of Penske, Ryan Blaney has what it takes to secure the race win.

Ryan Blaney
Ryan Blaney (Via @Blaney/X0

She backed his argument highlighting how the No:12 Ford team has won two of the last three races of in the Next-Gen era and this puts a chip on his shoulders.  The multiple engine failure this season will also motivate him to do better on the upcoming Sunday.

I’m taking Ryan Blaney. He’s won two of the last three races there. I think he’ll have a little chip on the shoulder after the engine failure and be more motivated than he normally is.

Kaitlyn Vincie said.

Mamba Smith has a bold Josh Berry prediction

The third host of the podcast, Mamba Smith went with a bold prediction, unlike his usual choice of one of Chase Elliott, Ryan Blaney and Bubba Wallace. He is expecting a second special Wood Brothers Racing win just like from Las Vegas, with Josh Berry leading them. Smith expects a short track magic from Berry.

Josh Berry
Josh Berry (Via IMAGO)

I really wanted to go Chase [Elliott], because of what they did at the last [Martinsville race]. But you know what? After watching Bowman Gray, and after his win at Las Vegas — now, we’re back to another short track. Let’s go with it, why not? Josh freaking Berry.

Mamba Smith said.

Further talking about the point, Smith pointed out that Martinsville has been one of the bets tracks for WBR for many years, making it their backyard. It’s a track special for Berry, as he won his maiden Xfinity race there, multiple late model races, making it a special race for him.

Backyard of Wood Brothers. I think this is where he got his first Xfinity win, at Martinsville, and he’s won the Late Model race, I’m quite sure, more than once. Like, let’s go.

Mamba Smith added.

Three NASCAR insiders have solid and unique prediction for the race. Kevin Harvick seems to have the best pick of the three and it will be interesting to see who will get it right, or a racer outside the three predicted will pull-off a victory.