Kevin Harvick predicts winner of Daytona 500

The Daytona 500 is mere days away and with it the start of the NASCAR season. It figures to be a thrilling campaign.

But who is best positioned to take the victory at the Great American Race? That’s a question that Kevin Harvick and his cohosts attempted to answer on the Kevin Harvick’s Happy Hour podcast this week.

Harvick led off the Daytona 500 picks.

“I would say my best bet would probably be Ryan Blaney,” the former NASCAR driver said. “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.

“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.”

That pick to win the Daytona 500 came after Kevin Harvick predicted Ryan Blaney to have a breakout season.

But there wasn’t a consensus about this week’s race among Harvick’s cohosts on the show. Everyone had a different pick for a winner.

“I went with a driver we talked about after The Clash race weekend that came out of the gates strong, that was Denny Hamlin,” cohost Kaitlyn Vincie said. “Had the crew chief change in the offseason with Chris Gayle. He is a three-time winner of this race. I think he gets his fourth one on Sunday.”

Added cohost Mamba Smith on his Daytona 500 pick:

“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.”

The Daytona 500 will begin at 2:30 p.m. ET Sunday on FOX.