As anticipation builds for the 2025 Coke Zero Sugar 400, former NASCAR Cup Series champion Kevin Harvick has made a prominent RFK Racing Daytona race prediction, naming Brad Keselowski as his top pick to win the season’s final regular event at Daytona International Speedway. The race, set for Saturday, August 23, will determine the last playoff spots as the field prepares for the postseason.
On a recent episode of the ‘Kevin Harvick’s Happy Hour’ podcast, Harvick used his experience as both a retired driver and commentator to analyze the upcoming race alongside his co-hosts, Kaitlyn Vincie and Mamba Smith. The trio each put forward their favorites to triumph in the high-stakes event.
Harvick expressed particular confidence in Brad Keselowski, who is both a co-owner and driver for RFK Racing. Keselowski has yet to secure a victory this NASCAR Cup Series season, making a Daytona win crucial to guarantee his place in the playoffs. Harvick emphasized the urgency and opportunity for Keselowski at Daytona International Speedway.
“I’m going to go with another guy that needs to get back to victory lane, Brad Keselowski,”
Harvick said while picking the driver to win the Daytona race [59:55]. —Kevin Harvick, Commentator and Former NASCAR Cup Champion
Other Race Predictions from the Podcast Team
Kaitlyn Vincie, co-host of the podcast, selected Chris Buescher as her favored contender. She cited the proven strength of Ford cars at Daytona and discussed the potential for Buescher, who is currently below the playoff cutline, to capture his first win of the season and change the postseason landscape.
“I’m going with Chris Buescher. I’d love to see it. We’ve talked about the strength of the Fords. We know he can be good there. He is currently below the line. So, if he could do it.”
Vincie said. —Kaitlyn Vincie, Co-host
Mamba Smith, the third member of the team, gave his endorsement to Kyle Busch. Smith expressed his strong desire for Busch to score his inaugural win this year, highlighting what a playoff berth could mean for Busch and his supporters.
“I’m picking Kyle Busch. I want the #48 to be in the playoffs. There’s a way for them to be there and them not in. I’m sorry. But I’m picking Kyle Busch. I think I want Kyle Busch to win so bad. I don’t know if I’ve ever wanted someone to win so bad as I do for the aid of Kyle Busch.”
—Mamba Smith, Co-host
Assessing Brad Keselowski’s Track Record at Daytona
Brad Keselowski enters the Daytona race with a wealth of experience at the iconic 2.5-mile circuit. Over his 39 starts at Daytona International Speedway, Keselowski has notched two victories, achieved seven finishes within the top five, and placed in the top ten on twelve occasions. His average finish at the track currently sits at 20th place.
In the 2025 NASCAR Cup Series up to this point, Keselowski’s #6 Ford for RFK Racing has earned four top-five and eight top-ten results, leading a total of 156 laps. With an average finish of 20.2 and standing 19th in the Cup Series points tally with 496 points, a win at Daytona remains crucial to solidifying his playoff hopes.
With predictions from notable names such as Kevin Harvick, Kaitlyn Vincie, and Mamba Smith in the spotlight, fans and teams await the outcome at Daytona International Speedway. The 2025 Coke Zero Sugar 400 will air at 7:30 p.m. ET on NBC Sports, with radio broadcasts available via MRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio. This race has the potential to shake up the playoff lineup, making the RFK Racing Daytona race prediction by Harvick a central storyline to watch as the regular season approaches its dramatic finish.
