As anticipation builds for the 2025 Mobil 1 301 at New Hampshire Motor Speedway, Kevin Harvick has delivered a notable Kevin Harvick NASCAR prediction, selecting Chase Briscoe from Joe Gibbs Racing as his top choice to win the crucial playoff race. The race, set for September 21, 2025, marks the opening event of the Round of 16 in the NASCAR Cup Series playoffs, generating excitement among fans and insiders alike.
Harvick’s Selection on His Podcast
Discussing the upcoming event on ‘Kevin Harvick’s Happy Hour,’ Harvick joined co-hosts Kaitlyn Vincie and Mamba Smith to share his expectations for the race at the 1.058-mile New Hampshire Motor Speedway. Harvick, the 2014 series champion, explained his reasoning for choosing Briscoe, referencing the strong performance of the #19 JGR Toyota team on similar tracks and their promising momentum from recent races. Harvick put special emphasis on previous successes Joe Gibbs Racing has achieved at New Hampshire, pointing out the consistency and speed of the team in recent years.
“I’m going to pick Chase Briscoe. They, those guys, have been too successful there and had too good a speed with Truex Jr. I just think that they have a lot of momentum from Toyota, their team coming off another good week where they figured it out. I think the #19 gets it done.”
– Kevin Harvick, 2014 NASCAR Cup Series Champion
Kaitlyn Vincie echoed Harvick’s faith in Briscoe, noting that his proven track record made for a compelling pick ahead of race day.
“That’s who I had written down as well. That’s why I gave a little hint earlier about MTJ’s past success there. You know, trying to give a precursor,”
– Kaitlyn Vincie, Co-host
Mamba Smith, taking a different stance, predicted success for Christopher Bell, who has been a standout at New Hampshire and is known for his dominance on similar tracks.
“I’m going to go see Bell. He’s been so lights up dominant here, and after coming off a win, he’s feeling good that Mojo’s rocking for the #20.”
– Mamba Smith, Co-host
Chase Briscoe’s Track Record at New Hampshire
Chase Briscoe, Harvick’s choice to take the checkered flag, has delivered solid performances at New Hampshire Motor Speedway throughout his Cup Series career. Within four starts at the track, Briscoe has achieved one top-five and two top-10 finishes, averaging a respectable 13.5 place, a mark that puts him among the stronger contenders this year at the challenging oval.
Performance in the season so far further strengthens the logic behind Harvick’s pick. After 29 races in the 2025 season, Briscoe, driving the #19 car for Joe Gibbs Racing, managed to secure two victories, notch up 12 top-five and 15 top-10 finishes, and lead 770 laps. His average finish sits at 12.6, while he holds sixth position on the Cup Series playoff leaderboard, amassing a total of 3018 points. The combination of recent results and proven ability on similar tracks paints Briscoe as a strong favorite for success in the 2025 Mobil 1 301.
Predictions and Broadcast Information for the Mobil 1 301
The 2025 Mobil 1 301 is shaping up to be a pivotal showdown as the first race of the Cup Series Round of 16, with Harvick, Kaitlyn Vincie, and Mamba Smith offering different perspectives on potential winners. While Briscoe and Bell appear to be leading favorites, the unpredictability of the playoffs leaves room for surprises, as drivers seek to advance in the championship hunt.
Fans will be able to catch all the action from New Hampshire Motor Speedway live on NBC Sports at 2 p.m. ET, with radio coverage on both PRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio. As the race draws near, the focus remains on Briscoe, Bell, and the other top contenders, all aiming to secure a crucial playoff victory for their respective teams, including Joe Gibbs Racing and Toyota. The results in New Hampshire could provide significant momentum for the rest of the postseason, with implications for the 2025 NASCAR Cup Series championship still to unfold.
