Kevin Harvick predicts winner at Michigan as NASCAR Playoffs come into focus

Ahead of the FireKeepers Casino 400, Kevin Harvick and his podcast crew are locking in their picks for the race winner. The NASCAR champion knows how these cars and drivers perform, and his insight can be valuable for fans looking to get some advice on their own picks.

Kevin Harvick was suiting up for this race a year ago. Now, he is only talking about it. Over the years, Michigan has become a home-field advantage for Ford. The Happy Hour crew felt like that was going to be the case this week as well.

Mamba Smith and Kaitlyn Vincie also chimed in with their own picks for Sunday.

“I’m going to go with a guy we talked to earlier today, we interviewed him, Ryan Blaney,” Vincie said.

“Oh, you’re going with RB,” Smith interjected. “You have a reason why? … I like that pick, obviously. … I’m actually going to go with, I think he might go back-to-back, Chris Buescher. Might go back-to-back. They need something and maybe they can refind that magic.”

Chris Buescher could use a win. That would get rid of his points bubble battle worries. Right now, he holds onto the last playoff spot by a narrow tiebreaker over Ross Chastain.

Kevin Harvick likes RFK Racing but the other team.

“I’m going to go with his teammate in Brad Keselowski,” Harvick said. “I think that, you know, you guys mentioned it, the Fords have just been so good here. Doug Yates and everybody at Ford always put an emphasis on this race and the teams know that. So, I think that’s one reason they run so well. If there’s an engine upgrade, it will come here, and it also fits the Ford RPM ban really well with the way this track lays out.”

Let’s not forget that Harvick has a history at Michigan, recent history. He was the first driver to win back-to-back races in the Next Gen car when he won at Richmond and Michigan in 2022. Then Buescher repeated that performance himself in 2023.

Given that Joey Logano was the best Ford at Richmond, could he be the driver that comes out on top this Sunday? I think that could be in the cards. Logano has three wins in his career at Michigan, none in the Next Gen car.

While everyone is focused on Ford, is there a possibility to see Toyota or Chevy make noise? Kyle Larson earned his first Cup win at the track when he was in the 42 car. Or perhaps Tyler Reddick who has been red hot in the last 10 races of the season?

Who is your pick for the FireKeepers Casino 400?