HomeNASCAR NewsNASCAR Drivers NewsKevin Harvick picks Nashville NASCAR race winner: Will Denny Hamlin end his...

Kevin Harvick picks Nashville NASCAR race winner: Will Denny Hamlin end his slump at Music City track?

The NASCAR Cup Series will take center stage at Nashville Superspeedway this Sunday for the Cracker Barrel 400, which marks the 14th points race of the 2025 season. In a closely watched prediction, Kevin Harvick picks Nashville NASCAR race winner Denny Hamlin to end his recent run of tough results and claim victory at the Music City track.

Harvick’s Confident Choice: Hamlin to Prevail in Nashville

Kevin Harvick, now serving as a FOX Sports analyst, revealed his prediction on the Happy Hour podcast. Harvick is banking on Denny Hamlin to break a five-race stretch without a top-ten finish and take the checkered flag in Nashville. Despite Hamlin’s struggles, his performance history at the 1.33-mile oval has shown promise, including pole positions in both the most recent season and in 2022, plus two top-ten finishes in just four starts. Hamlin currently has two victories this season, but recent pit road misfortune, including a costly error during last week’s Charlotte Motor Speedway event, has kept him out of the top positions.

Recent Setbacks: Hamlin’s Challenges on the Track

Last Sunday’s race at Charlotte Motor Speedway started out promising for the No. 11 Toyota, with Hamlin displaying impressive speed. However, a problematic pit stop on lap 348 resulted in his crew failing to fully refuel the car, forcing Hamlin to surrender a strong P3 spot for a return to pit road on lap 389. That setback ultimately resulted in a 16th-place finish, extending Hamlin’s top-ten drought. Despite his demonstrated speed, Hamlin has been unable to capitalize, setting high stakes for Nashville as an opportunity to reset the season’s momentum.

Kevin Harvick
Image of: Kevin Harvick

Analyst Predictions: Diverging Opinions on Potential Winners

While Harvick stands by Hamlin as his pick, his co-hosts on the Happy Hour podcast are split in their predictions. Kaitlyn Vincie is placing her hopes on Chase Elliott, the 2020 Cup champion. Elliott, who last tasted victory at Texas Motor Speedway in the previous spring, has collected seven top-ten finishes this season despite leading only 76 laps overall. He also notched a win at Nashville in 2022, further boosting his case as a potential frontrunner. Meanwhile, Mamba Smith envisions a first career Cup Series win for Carson Hocevar at the Nashville Superspeedway.

“I kind of talked myself into it because Spire was good there last year, he’s been on a heater, coming off a blown engine on probably his best race of his career. Things are going right.”

—Mamba Smith, Analyst

Assessing the Competition: Hocevar and Elliott Also in the Mix

Carson Hocevar, piloting the No. 77 Chevrolet, has seen his share of promising moments this season. During the recent race at Charlotte, Hocevar ran competitively alongside big names such as Hamlin and William Byron. Unfortunately, engine trouble ended his bid on lap 308, but his pace has impressed analysts. With growing speed and momentum on his side, Hocevar is being watched for a potential breakthrough victory. Meanwhile, Elliott’s steady performances and past Nashville triumph keep him firmly in contention among top analyst choices.

A High-Stakes Sunday at Nashville Superspeedway

This weekend’s Cracker Barrel 400 presents a crucial inflection point for drivers like Denny Hamlin, Chase Elliott, and Carson Hocevar. With Kevin Harvick picking Hamlin to win and analysts split on their predictions, anticipation is building for a fiercely competitive contest. Fans and teams alike will be watching to see if Hamlin can capitalize on his speed, if Elliott can return to Victory Lane, or if Hocevar records his first Cup Series win at the storied Music City track.

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