Kevin Harvick Warns 23XI Racing of “Messy Future” If Cup Wins Dries Up

2014 Cup champion Kevin Harvick has shared his thoughts on the pressure of expectations that is on Tyler Reddick at 23XI Racing.

Kevin Harvick Warns 23XI Racing of “Messy Future” If Cup Wins Dries Up

Tyler Reddick, Kevin Harvick and Denny Hamlin (Via IMAGO)

23XI Racing and Tyler Reddick earned the redemption they were desperately searching for on Sunday at Daytona 500, winning the season opener to get over the tumultuous 2025 season. It marled the maiden 500 win for both the racer and the team, giving them a string start in their chase for the championship under the new format post-charter lawsuit settlement.

2014 Cup Series champion Kevin Harvick, in the latest episode of his Happy Hour podcast explained the pressure that was on Tyler Reddick shoulders to win. He asserted that Toyota and 23XI owner Denny Hamlin and Michael Jordan has invested a lot over the years to the team, hence their drivers is expected win consistently.

We put a lot of pressure on Tyler Reddick. He nee ds to win. Everything that they put into 23XI’s cars and Toyota. All the things that happen over there are built to win. Michael Jordan expects to win, Denny Hamlin expects to win, Tyler Reddick expects to win.

Kevin Harvick said via Happy Hour podcast.

Denny Hamlin has previously revealed that his team wants to be the fourth elite team behind the bog-3. So, they have a lot of expectation riding on them and things goes south easily when they don’t win like in 2025, where only Bubba Wallace won at Indy, negatively affecting the organization. The team needs to build on the 500 win and secure more triumphs to avoid such fate.

If they don’t go to Victory Lane, it becomes messy pretty quick, in my opinion. That’s the expectation that they have at that organization.

Kevin Harvick added.

Kevin Harvick makes his pick for Atalanta Cup race win

In the same podcast, later Kevin Harvick made his picks for the next weeks race at Atlanta, and he is banking on the reigning champion Kyle Larson. Though the No:5 Chevy had a forgettable day at Daytona, he expects the new design to benefit them at the Georgia track.

Kevin Harvick
Kevin Harvick (Via @KevinHarvick/X)

I think that there’s a lot of questions about the Chevy, but I like how fast they were, and I got to believe that they designed that car to be more efficient from both aspects. So, I’m thinking a Chevy. I’m going to go with Kyle Larson.

Kevin Harvick said.

His co-host Mamba Smith had wild take on the potential winner. He is expecting a redemption moment from Richard Childress Racing, who showed solid speed at Daytona. Smith believes Austin Dillon will get the team back to victory lane.

I love seeing Richard Childress in Victory Lane. I think there’s a little magic in the air 25 years after Dale passes the three paint scheme. I don’t know if it’ll be the same this week, but it’s kind of reminiscent of one of Kevin’s old skins. Let’s give it to Austin Dillon win somewhere outside of Richmond.

Mamba Smith asserted.

Both have solid arguments in favor of their drivers, but the team with the most momentum as well as solid cars is 23XI Racing. Bubba Wallace and Tyler Reddick will be huge contenders for the race win, while Riley Herbst might have an outside shot.

Also Read: Denny Hamlin Takes Responsibility For Triggering Daytona 500 Big One