Kevin Harvick, former NASCAR Cup Series champion and current commentator, has revealed his prediction for the winner of the 2026 Autotrader 400, scheduled for this weekend at EchoPark Speedway. Harvick selected Kyle Larson, the Hendrick Motorsports driver, as his top pick to win Sunday’s race, citing confidence in the Chevrolet Camaro ZL1’s new design.
During a recent episode of the Kevin Harvick’s Happy Hour podcast, Harvick, along with co-hosts Kaitlyn Vincie and Mamba Smith, shared their NASCAR Cup Series predictions for the EchoPark spring race set for February 22.
Harvick’s Confidence in Chevrolet and Kyle Larson’s Potential
Harvick highlighted the improvements made to Chevrolet’s Camaro body, believing it to be more aerodynamic and competitive on superspeedways. He expressed optimism that the defending series champion Kyle Larson, piloting the #5 Chevrolet under Hendrick Motorsports, can leverage the new car’s strengths to earn a victory.
“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.” [57:43]
Kevin Harvick’s remarks reflect his trust in both the car’s performance and Larson’s driving skill as crucial factors for success at EchoPark Speedway.
Co-Hosts’ Picks Offer Alternative Contenders for the Autotrader 400
Harvick’s co-host Kaitlyn Vincie selected Joey Logano as her preferred driver to win, noting Logano’s past performance at EchoPark and his recent victory there in 2024. Logano, a two-time winner at the track, is also the betting favorite heading into this race.
“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.
Meanwhile, Mamba Smith chose Austin Dillon as her pick, emphasizing the nostalgic connection to Richard Childress Racing and the symbolic paint scheme tying back to NASCAR history.
“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.”
Kyle Larson’s Track Record at EchoPark Speedway
Despite Harvick’s confidence, Kyle Larson has yet to win the Autotrader 400 and has faced difficulties adapting to the new drafting package at EchoPark Speedway. Larson has experienced three DNFs in his last five races at this venue.
Over 16 races at Atlanta, Larson has earned two second-place finishes, three top-five results, and five top-10 placements, with an average finishing position of 18.8. Most recently, he finished 16th in the season-opening Daytona 500.
As one of the favorites, Larson holds +1200 odds to secure his first Atlanta victory, making his performance this weekend a key storyline.
Anticipation Builds for Sunday’s Race Broadcast on FOX
The upcoming Autotrader 400 at EchoPark Speedway marks the second race of the 2026 NASCAR Cup Series season, intensifying anticipation among fans and analysts alike. Kevin Harvick’s optimistic forecast for Kyle Larson, coupled with competing choices from Kaitlyn Vincie and Mamba Smith, sets the stage for an exciting and unpredictable race.
The race will air live on FOX at 3 p.m. ET on Sunday, where viewers will see if Larson and the Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 package can translate promise into victory on the superspeedway.
