Kevin Harvick predicts winner for Las Vegas NASCAR playoff race

The NASCAR Cup Series will move on from the Bank of America ROVAL 400 at Charlotte Motor Speedway, where Shane van Gisbergen took the checkered flag in impressive fashion. Now, the stage is set for the Round of 8 to begin at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, where one driver could advance to the Championship 4.

Last season, Joey Logano pulled off a clutch victory in Sin City to continue his run to the championship, and after narrowly sneaking into the Round of 8 thanks to Ross Chastain’s misfortunes in Charlotte, the reigning Cup Series champion hopes to replicate that success this time around.

Looking ahead to Sunday, Kevin Harvick and the Kevin Harvick’s Happy Hour crew have made their picks for who will conquer Las Vegas. Harvick, a former Cup Series champion in his own right, is betting on Christopher Bell to punch his ticket to the Championship 4.

Bell was one of the more consistent drivers at the ROVAL, finishing third and adding another top-five result to his impressive 2025 playoff résumé. He’s come close to winning at Las Vegas before, with two career runner-up finishes, and Harvick believes this could finally be the weekend Bell breaks through for his first victory at the speedway.

Meanwhile, Kaitlyn Vincie is rolling with Ryan Blaney as her pick to win. Blaney finished 13th at the ROVAL — not his best day — but he remains in the hunt for another championship. Though he’s never won at Las Vegas, the Team Penske driver finished third there in 2024 and will be looking to build on that momentum in a high-stakes moment.

Mamba Smith rounded out the panel’s predictions by backing Chase Briscoe to deliver. Briscoe ran solidly at Charlotte, finishing 14th. While he’s yet to find major success at Las Vegas, his best finish of fourth in 2022 proves he can compete there. Smith believes he’s poised for a breakout weekend with his new team at Joe Gibbs Racing.

With the stakes at their highest and only four championship spots up for grabs, this weekend’s Las Vegas race promises fireworks. Whether Harvick’s pick of Bell pays off or another contender steals the spotlight, one thing’s certain — Sin City always delivers.