As anticipation mounts for the 2025 NASCAR Cup Series event at Talladega Superspeedway, Kevin Harvick shared his expert perspective on the upcoming race in his recent podcast, naming William Byron his choice to take the win this Sunday. Harvick’s Talladega prediction shines a spotlight on Byron as the favorite, marking him as the likely contender for victory at the second race of the Round of 8 playoffs.
Kevin Harvick Identifies Byron as Top Contender for Talladega
During the latest episode of ‘Kevin Harvick’s Happy Hour,’ Harvick, a former Cup Series champion, joined forces with co-hosts Kaitlyn Vincie and Mamba Smith to discuss their selections for the pivotal Talladega race. Known for his deep understanding of the sport, Harvick singled out William Byron, who drives the #24 Chevrolet for Hendrick Motorsports, as the driver best equipped for success. Highlighting Byron’s recent performance and the strength of his team’s equipment, Harvick explained his choice in clear terms:
“I’m going to go with William Byron,”
Kevin Harvick said while picking the driver to win the Talladega playoff race [59:39]. — Kevin Harvick, 2014 NASCAR Cup Series Champion
Other Picks from Harvick’s Podcast Team
Kevin Harvick was not the only one to share predictions for the thrilling event. Co-host Kaitlyn Vincie expressed her support for Ryan Blaney, emphasizing Ford’s presence and the driver’s quest for redemption after a challenging previous outing. Vincie offered her view on Blaney’s chances:
“I want to go with a Ford. And I just want to pick Blaney [Ryan] again because I’m hoping he has some sort of redemption for himself. Yeah. And I think he’s a solid choice there. But I thought that last week, too,”
she said. — Kaitlyn Vincie, Co-host
Meanwhile, Mamba Smith, serving as another co-host, demonstrated confidence in Ryan Preece from RFK Racing. Smith kept his prediction concise:
“Ryan Preece” — Mamba Smith, Co-host
Byron’s Record and Current Season Standing at Talladega
William Byron’s history at Talladega Superspeedway contains several strong performances. Over 15 career starts on the oval, Byron has finished among the top five on five occasions and reached the top ten seven times. His average finish sits at 13.6, reflecting his consistency at the challenging 2.66-mile track.
This season, after thirty-three races in the 2025 NASCAR Cup Series calendar, Byron has claimed two victories, achieved ten top-five results, and appeared in the top ten fifteen times. He has also led 970 laps, with an average finishing position of 14.061. These statistics place him fifth on the Cup Series points leaderboard, currently trailing the elimination line by 15 points.
Growing Anticipation for the Playoff Battle
The Talladega Superspeedway is set to host the high-stakes South Point 400 on October 19, an event expected to have major playoff implications for drivers like Byron, Blaney, and Preece. The race will be broadcast on NBC Sports and Peacock at 2 p.m. ET, with additional radio coverage available via MRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio. The outcome at Talladega could alter the trajectory of the playoffs, with fans and analysts alike eager to see whose prediction—among Harvick, Vincie, or Smith—proves accurate in this intense phase of the season.
As the NASCAR world looks toward Talladega, the spotlight remains firmly on Harvick’s Talladega prediction, with William Byron seeking to turn potential into powerhouse performance at one of the calendar’s most unpredictable venues.
