As excitement grows for the 2025 NASCAR Cup Series’ pivotal playoff stop at Martinsville Speedway, Kevin Harvick has made his much-anticipated prediction for the Xfinity 500. On his popular ‘Kevin Harvick’s Happy Hour’ podcast, Harvick chose William Byron as the likely winner, highlighting his perspective on how the race might unfold at the renowned short track.
Harvick’s Insights Ahead of the Xfinity 500
During the podcast episode previewing Sunday’s Xfinity 500—scheduled for October 26—Kevin Harvick, the 2014 NASCAR Cup Series champion, discussed his thoughts on the playoff elimination race with co-hosts Kaitlyn Vincie and Mamba Smith. This prestigious event unfolds on Martinsville Speedway’s demanding 0.526-mile configuration and serves as the ninth race of the playoffs, raising the stakes for all championship contenders.
When pressed for his pick, Harvick gave a candid answer.
“I’m gonna pull an asshole move right here. It’s not gonna be my championship for a pick, but I, as a defensive gesture. I’m just gonna pick William Byron,” Kevin Harvick said while picking the driver to win the Martinsville playoff race [57:58].
Co-hosts Weigh in With Contrasting Choices
Fellow podcast host Kaitlyn Vincie selected a different contender, expressing confidence in Joe Gibbs Racing’s Christopher Bell:
“I’m going with Christopher Bell to win,” she said.
Mamba Smith, also co-hosting the show, echoed Harvick’s sentiment and put his confidence behind Byron. Smith explained the reasons fueling his continued support for the driver of the #24 car:
“My championship pick from day one has been William Byron in the #24. I really thought that they would be in already at this point. They’re not, but you know what? I know that group is hungry. They have something to prove; stamp it #24 Victory Lane, get it done.”
William Byron’s Track Record at Martinsville
William Byron, representing Hendrick Motorsports, heads into Martinsville with a promising performance history. Over 15 starts at the Virginia short track, Byron has accumulated five finishes inside the top five and eight in the top ten, holding an average result of 13.9. Heading into the final playoff races of the season, Byron remains fifth in the Cup Series championship standings, trailing the elimination threshold by 36 points.
Throughout the 34 races of the 2025 NASCAR Cup Series season, Byron and the #24 Chevrolet have secured two wins, 10 top-five, and 15 top-ten finishes, leading a total of 974 laps. As the Round of 8 elimination race approaches, his consistent form makes him a significant factor in Sunday’s showdown.
Xfinity 500: Anticipation and Broadcast Details
The upcoming Xfinity 500 is expected to be a key moment in the playoff hunt, with predictions by panelists like Kevin Harvick, Kaitlyn Vincie, and Mamba Smith adding to fan anticipation. Their choices—Byron and Bell—reflect both strategic insight and belief in each driver’s current momentum, emphasizing the unpredictable nature of Martinsville’s short track battles.
The race is set to air on NBC Sports and stream on Peacock, beginning at 2 p.m. ET, with complete radio commentary available on MRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio. As the playoffs reach a decisive phase at Martinsville Speedway, fans and analysts alike will be watching closely to see if the Kevin Harvick Martinsville prediction comes to fruition, potentially shaping the paths of Byron, Bell, and the rest of the field in the championship quest.
