Kevin Harvick Predicts Larson to Win Atlanta NASCAR Race

Former Cup champion sees Hendrick driver as top choice for this weekend's event.

Published on Feb. 22, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

NASCAR veteran Kevin Harvick believes Kyle Larson will emerge victorious in this weekend's Cup Series race at Atlanta's EchoPark Speedway. Harvick's co-hosts on his "Happy Hour" podcast made different predictions, with Kaitlyn Vincie selecting Joey Logano and Mamba Smith going with Austin Dillon. The reconfigured Atlanta track has become increasingly unpredictable in recent seasons, with pack racing, late cautions, and momentum often mattering more than long-run speed.

Why it matters

Atlanta has transformed from a traditional intermediate track into more of a superspeedway-style event, making it difficult to forecast the winner. Harvick's Larson pick stands out as the most intriguing, as the reigning Cup champion has shown strong drafting skills but hasn't necessarily dominated at Atlanta in the past.

The details

Larson enters the race 15th in the standings after a 16th-place finish at Daytona, but Harvick believes his precision and car control could give him an edge late in the Atlanta event. Logano, meanwhile, may be the statistical and betting favorite, having won the last two races at the track. Dillon's selection by Smith is considered the boldest call, as the Richard Childress Racing driver has limited success at Atlanta historically.

  • The NASCAR Cup Series race at Atlanta's EchoPark Speedway will take place this weekend.

The players

Kevin Harvick

A former NASCAR Cup Series champion who currently hosts the "Happy Hour" podcast and made a prediction for the winner of this weekend's race at Atlanta.

Kyle Larson

The reigning NASCAR Cup Series champion, who Harvick believes has a good chance of winning this weekend's race at Atlanta.

Joey Logano

A NASCAR driver who is considered the statistical and betting favorite to win this weekend's race at Atlanta, having won the last two events at the track.

Austin Dillon

A NASCAR driver whose selection by Harvick's co-host Mamba Smith is considered the boldest call, as Dillon has limited success at Atlanta historically.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“Skill sometimes beats chaos when the final lap finally settles, and nobody has more of it in the Cup Series than the Elk Grove, California native.”

— Kevin Harvick, Former NASCAR Cup Series champion (on3.com)

What’s next

The NASCAR Cup Series race at Atlanta's EchoPark Speedway will take place this weekend, with the winner set to be determined on the track.

The takeaway

The reconfigured Atlanta track has become increasingly unpredictable in recent seasons, making it difficult to forecast the winner. Harvick's Larson pick stands out as the most intriguing, as the reigning Cup champion has shown strong drafting skills but hasn't necessarily dominated at Atlanta in the past.