Kevin Harvick, Brad Keselowski clinch playoff spots after Watkins Glen

Following the finish at Watkins Glen, Kevin Harvick, and Brad Keselowski have both clinched their spots in the NASCAR Playoffs. Harvick was able to come away in P21 while Keselowski crossed the line P15. It was enough for the No. 6 to overtake the No. 4 in the points battle.

While neither veteran driver has a win this season, they will have a few more chances to pick one up and it means something. Kevin Harvick hasn’t won since Richmond a year ago. For Keselowski, it goes back to 2021.

So, with the playoffs locked down, the two drivers will head to Daytona without a lot of pressure on their shoulders. Then they can prepare to head back to Darlington for the Southern 500 and the start of the NASCAR Playoffs.

Harvick wants to win but is relatively pleased with his performance this season.

“I wish we could have won a race before now, but we’ve had our opportunities to win a few of them,” Harvick said to the media on pit road after the race. “You know, we’ve struggled on the road courses, but other than that it’s been okay.”

Kevin Harvick doesn’t have a lot to say about what he will do in the playoffs. He’s just gotta get better overall.

“I don’t know, we just gotta get our cars running better … to really do anything.”

Kevin Harvick finished 21st at Watkins Glen but clinched a playoff spot. pic.twitter.com/gZ2N8ACK5e

— Bob Pockrass (@bobpockrass) August 20, 2023

As for Keselowski, this is a big step forward for RFK Racing.

Kevin Harvick and Brad Keselowski have shown consistency

For the most part, the two veterans have done a great job at keeping their lows from being too low. They are consistent. Unfortunately, they just aren’t fast. Kevin Harvick is on his last ride in the Cup Series. Meanwhile, Brad Keselowski is trying to build an organization.

Keselowski as a driver-owner at RFK has to feel great about his organization putting two cars into the playoffs for the first time ever, and so early on too. Compared to a season ago, Keselowski is much happier with where his team is at.

“Just major progress,” Keselowski said. “I feel like we were making progress this time last year and it just wasn’t as physical as it is here today. So, to have our cars sixth and seventh in points and you feel the progress and momentum building, it’s an exciting time for us at RFK.”

A year ago, Brad Keselowski and Chris Buescher faced must-win situations to make the playoffs at Daytona. Now they both go to the regular-season finale locked into the postseason. Keselowski on the progress: pic.twitter.com/zJvwQ4OTEP

— Bob Pockrass (@bobpockrass) August 20, 2023

Coming to the beginning of the playoffs, Kevin Harvick and Brad Keselowski have locked themselves in on points. Just one playoff spot remains.