The battle for the NASCAR Playoffs bubble is intensifying as five drivers are separated by just 20 points heading into the summer stretch. Among those battling for the final playoff spot are Ryan Preece, Kyle Busch, Carson Hocevar, AJ Allmendinger, and Ricky Stenhouse Jr., all facing pressure as the points standings remain volatile. Kevin Harvick recently cautioned these drivers on his show about how the upcoming road course-heavy schedule could rapidly change the playoff landscape, especially highlighting Carson Hocevar’s promising chance.
Kevin Harvick Foresees Major Points Shakeup as Road Course Season Approaches
On the latest episode of Kevin Harvick’s Happy Hour, Harvick expressed concern that the introduction of several road and street courses, including a new event in Mexico City, will disrupt the current playoff bubble significantly. He warned that the unpredictable nature of these races—due to factors like rain, unfamiliar layouts, and increased difficulty—will likely lead to a major realignment in points. This shakeup could drastically affect veteran drivers currently on the playoff cutoff.
“The points are getting ready to change,”
Harvick said.
You mark my words, three weeks from now, the points are getting ready to change, just because of the road course season coming up. Squiggly season. I just think that, if we get one or two of these wild card winners that we are throwing into the possibilities of being able to win, with an SVG (Shane Van Gisbergen) or AJ Allmendinger, [Daniel] Suarez.
—Kevin Harvick, NASCAR Driver
You just don’t know how these road courses — especially a new road course in Mexico City, and a street course. I mean, it might be laid out the same, but it’s not going to — it’s just treacherous. It could bite you at any moment. It could rain. There’s so many things that could possibly go wrong. So, I don’t know. I think that that bubble is great to look at, but I think that bubble could be two spots higher for the guys that have points, which is like 40 some points.
—Kevin Harvick, NASCAR Driver
Carson Hocevar Emerging as a Threat on the Playoff Bubble
Among the drivers on the outside of the cut-line, Harvick singled out Carson Hocevar as an impressive competitor to watch. Despite being a newcomer compared to veterans like Kyle Busch and AJ Allmendinger, Hocevar’s rising speed and consistency in earning stage points are making him a formidable challenger for a playoff berth. Harvick pointed out Hocevar’s maturity in handling recent on-track incidents, signaling growth both on and off the track.
You talk about pointing your way in. I think Hocevar is scoring stage points. I think he’s fast enough to win. I think he’s fast enough to score those stage points consistently. He’s just a new player,
Harvick said.
The way that he handled the Stenhouse thing this week, it seems like there wasn’t really any animosity there. They talked through it.
—Kevin Harvick, NASCAR Driver
I’m just saying it doesn’t seem like there’s any lingering effects from them, so the politics of the internal dealings with situations like that seem to be getting corrected a little better each time. So, I think he’s progressing, and he still has the speed.
—Kevin Harvick, NASCAR Driver
Intense Competition and Uncertainty Shape NASCAR Playoff Drama
With just a handful of points separating several drivers, the battle for the final NASCAR Playoff spot remains precarious. None of the competitors without a win have guaranteed safety, underscoring the significance of every race moving forward. The looming road course events add layers of unpredictability that could propel underdogs like Shane Van Gisbergen or Daniel Suarez into contention, further complicating the chase for victory lane and playoff qualification.
This closely packed points battle highlights the evolving nature of the NASCAR Cup Series, where speed, consistency, and adaptability to diverse track types hold the key to postseason success. Fans and teams alike can expect dramatic shifts in driver standings as the “road course season” unfolds and the playoff bubble becomes more dynamic than ever before.
