Kevin Harvick bets on Ryan Blaney to win 2025 Daytona 500

2014 NASCAR Cup Series champion Kevin Harvick has shared his prediction for the 2025 Daytona 500 and bets on Ryan Blaney.

Kevin Harvick bets on Ryan Blaney to win 2025 Daytona 500

Kevin Harvick and Ryan Blaney (Via IMAGO)

The NASCAR Cup garage is at the Daytona International Speedway for the Great American Race. Daytona 500 is the most prestigious race a driver can win at the premier stock car racing division and as always everyone will go all out on Sunday, in the main event, to secure their place in the playoff with an early win.

2014 Bill France Cup winner Kevin Harvick has made his prediction for the race. He is betting on Team Penske Racing driver and the 2023 Cup champion Ryan Blaney to secure a victory. He backed his argument by highlighting the speed and enthusiasm that makes them a good superspeedway racer. Finishing P2 twice at the Florida beach might give him extra motivation.

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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.

Kevin Harvick said via Happy Hour podcast.

Further talking about the point, the ex-SHR driver pointed out that the times has come for Blaney to step up during the marquee races and capitalize on moments, securing the victory. The veteran believes Blaney has the experience and capability to win the race, that could take him to the next-level of superstardom.

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I think it’s like we talked earlier, it’s time those marquee races, those marquee moments, he’s going to capitalize some of those as we go through. May not be this year. Might be this year. But I think he has enough experience now. And I know he’s won a championship, but winning those marquee races in those big moments and taking him to that next level of superstar, I just think that time is coming.

Kevin Harvick added.

Kevin Harvick cohost predicts a Chase Elliott win

In the same podcast, Mamba Smith the cohost of the Happy Hour podcast, also shared his prediction for the race. He is expecting Chase Elliott, one of his favorite racers, to win the race and have a good year. Smith backed his argument claiming the HMS driver has a different swagger for him this season.  

Chase Elliott and Alan Gustafson
Chase Elliott and Alan Gustafson (Via @LegendsNascar/X)

I’m going with somebody who his energy seems a little different at the start of this year. His swagger seems to be a little bit higher. He was just at the Super Bowl. I’m going with Chase Elliott, Driver 9 to win the Daytona 500. I do think he’s going to have a good year and I think it’s going to start off really strong this year.

Mamba Smith said.

Another cohost of the podcast, Kaitlyn Vincie, has another prediction. She is betting on Joe Gibbs Racing veteran Denny Hamlin, who has three triumphs at Daytona already, to secure the trophy. It would be interesting to see whose prediction would come true om Sunday.