Kevin Harvick has offered his 2025 Kevin Harvick NASCAR prediction ahead of the playoff race at Charlotte Motor Speedway Roval, favoring Christopher Bell of Joe Gibbs Racing to triumph at this weekend’s event. As anticipation builds for the Bank of America Roval 400, Harvick and his podcast team have weighed in on their picks for this critical Round of 12 elimination race.
Harvick and Podcast Co-Hosts Share Their Top Choices
On a recent episode of ‘Kevin Harvick’s Happy Hour’ podcast, 2014 NASCAR Cup Series champion Kevin Harvick joined Kaitlyn Vincie and Mamba Smith to select their predicted winners for the high-stakes race at Charlotte’s 2.32-mile road course.
Harvick expressed confidence in Christopher Bell, noting Bell’s consistent performances at this challenging circuit, cementing him as Harvick’s top pick for Sunday’s race.
“I’m going to take Bell. He’s been solid at the Roval,”
Harvick said while picking the driver to win the Charlotte Roval playoff race [58:18]. – Kevin Harvick, 2014 NASCAR Cup Series Champion
Kaitlyn Vincie, serving as co-host, chose Shane Van Gisbergen—also known as SVG—hoping he could secure an impressive fifth victory this season.
“SVG. I’m sure since I’m picking him somehow. He fluke won’t win. That would be my luck,”
she said. – Kaitlyn Vincie, Co-Host
Mamba Smith, another co-host, opted for Bell’s teammate Chase Briscoe, admitting that he briefly considered Ty Gibbs before finally settling on Briscoe.
“I’m gonna go with his teammate Chase Briscoe. I really thought Ty Gibbs lack for a split second, but I think Briscoe”
– Mamba Smith, Co-Host
Christopher Bell’s Track Record at the Roval Stands Out
Christopher Bell, Harvick’s selection, has established a remarkable history at the Charlotte Motor Speedway Roval. Over five starts, Bell has earned one victory, finished in the top five twice, and amassed three top-10 finishes, delivering an average finish position of 10 at this circuit. His past success, particularly highlighting a memorable win in 2022, fuels optimism for another standout performance in the upcoming playoff race.
Throughout the 2025 NASCAR Cup Series season, Bell, driving the #20 Toyota for Joe Gibbs Racing, has demonstrated consistent competitive form. After 31 races, he has collected four race wins, logged 11 finishes inside the top five, and achieved 18 top-10 results. Bell has also led 282 laps across the season, maintaining an average finish of 11.9 and securing his spot as third place in the playoff points standings with a substantial 44-point advantage above the elimination line.
The Playoff Race and Broadcast Coverage
The final outcome at the Charlotte Motor Speedway Roval will not only determine which drivers advance to the next stage of the NASCAR Cup Series playoffs but will also serve as a pivotal moment for contenders like Bell, Van Gisbergen, and Briscoe. The special attention on Harvick’s prediction adds intrigue for fans eager to see if the champion’s insights will play out as expected on race day.
The 2025 Bank of America Roval 400 is set to unfold this weekend, with live broadcast available on NBC Sports beginning at 3 p.m. ET. Fans can also catch radio coverage courtesy of PRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio. The race is poised to shape the trajectory of the Cup Series season, further highlighting the pressure on each contender during this crucial elimination event at Charlotte’s renowned road course.
