In a high-energy moment on his recent podcast, former NASCAR Cup Series champion and current commentator Kevin Harvick made a strong prediction for the 2026 Autotrader 400, expecting Kyle Larson to claim victory at EchoPark Speedway. Sharing his reasoning, Harvick emphasized his confidence in the new Chevrolet configuration, a key focus for this year’s race.
Harvick Picks Kyle Larson to Win Upcoming Race
During the latest episode of Kevin Harvick’s Happy Hour podcast, Harvick sat alongside co-hosts Kaitlyn Vincie and Mamba Smith to make their predictions for the season’s second event, happening on February 22 at EchoPark Speedway, Atlanta. Explaining his choice, Harvick selected Hendrick Motorsports driver Kyle Larson and praised both Larson’s talents and Chevrolet’s latest Camaro ZL1 body. Harvick pointed to the efficiency gains and speed improvements that the manufacturer has aimed to bring to superspeedways this season.
“I think that there’s a lot of questions about the Chevy, but I like how fast they were, and I got to believe that they designed that car to be more efficient from both aspects. So, I’m thinking a Chevy. I’m going to go with Kyle Larson.”
— Kevin Harvick, NASCAR Champion and Commentator
The podcast episode turned into a lively debate, with co-host Kaitlyn Vincie staking her prediction on Joey Logano, referencing his history of success at the Atlanta track. Logano, part of Team Penske, previously won the Autotrader 400 in 2024 and starts as one of the bookmakers’ favorites.
“I’m going with Joey Logano. Two-time winner at Atlanta start on the pole last year. He got involved in a crash, but he won recently in 2024 there. I think Joey,”
Vincie said. — Kaitlyn Vincie, NASCAR Broadcaster
Mamba Smith, also part of the hosting trio, decided to back Austin Dillon for the upcoming race, linking his choice to a sentimental connection with the Richard Childress Racing team and its legacy.
“I love seeing Richard Childress in Victory Lane. I think there’s a little magic in the air 25 years after Dale passes the three paint scheme. I don’t know if it’ll be the same this week, but it’s kind of reminiscent of one of Kevin’s old skins. Let’s give it to Austin Dillon win somewhere outside of Richmond.”
— Mamba Smith, NASCAR Commentator
Examining Larson’s Track Record at EchoPark Speedway
Despite Kevin Harvick’s enthusiasm for Kyle Larson’s chances, Larson’s recent history at EchoPark Speedway—formerly Atlanta Motor Speedway—has been challenging. Since the introduction of the new drafting package, he has not secured a win in the Autotrader 400 and has suffered three DNFs (Did Not Finish) over his last five starts at this venue.
With 16 starts at the Atlanta track, Larson has achieved two second-place finishes and made it into the top five three times and into the top 10 on five occasions. However, his average placement over those starts is 18.8, showing mixed success at this specific superspeedway. In the most recent season opener, the Daytona 500, Larson came home 16th, highlighting the unpredictable nature of superspeedway racing.
Odds and Expectations for the 2026 Autotrader 400
As betting lines develop for the 2026 Autotrader 400, Kyle Larson enters as one of the leading contenders, holding the second-best odds at +1200 to claim his inaugural Atlanta NASCAR Cup Series victory. With past winners like Joey Logano in the mix and Austin Dillon seen as an emotional favorite, the EchoPark Speedway race is shaping up to be a highly anticipated contest among drivers, teams, and fans.
Fans and analysts are now watching closely to see whether Harvick’s bold prediction about Larson and Chevrolet’s upgraded Camaro ZL1 will pay off. The race airs live on FOX at 3 pm ET and promises a pivotal start for the drivers vying for early momentum in the 2026 Cup Series season. For Larson and his Hendrick Motorsports team, a breakthrough win at Atlanta would validate both Harvick’s belief and the engineering strides made by Chevrolet this year.
