With just four regular-season races left, NASCAR veteran Kevin Harvick has expressed his thoughts regarding the final playoff position for the upcoming 2024 season. The last playoff spot is currently held by Ross Chastain from Trackhouse Racing, with Bubba Wallace in the #23 car closely trailing him.
Throughout his illustrious NASCAR Cup Series career, which encompasses over 800 races, Kevin Harvick has achieved 60 victories, including wins in all of the crown jewel events. Additionally, he is a two-time champion of the Xfinity Series and triumphed in the All-Star race of 2018. Notably, Harvick holds the record for most Cup Series wins at Phoenix Raceway with a total of nine victories.
After NASCAR’s return to Brickyard 400 at IMS, there were notable changes in the standings among Cup Series drivers. HMS driver Kyle Larson clinched his fourth victory of 2024 and now sits atop the leaderboard.
Bubba Wallace from 23XI demonstrated an impressive performance at Indianapolis Oval by winning stage two and finishing fifth overall. With this top-five finish last Sunday, he has narrowed his gap to just seven points behind Ross Chastain for that precious playoff spot.
Despite Wallace’s strong showing, Kevin Harvick believes that RFK Racing’s Chris Buescher could potentially take that playoff position away from Wallace. On a recent episode of Happy Hour podcast, he mentioned:
“I’m super concerned for Ross Chastain and the #1 car. I feel like they’ve (23XI’s #23 team) kind of got their ship righted; when they’re on track heading in a positive direction they have more speed than them (the #1). Now it’s only seven points separating them for that crucial spot. I still think Chris Buescher is poised to claim that position as technically he will be sitting at 16th place.” [34:05]
Harvick went on to elaborate further on his worries regarding Chastain’s chances for entering playoffs:
“I just have this feeling someone will win at Daytona; however my concern lies with #1 due to their inconsistent speed compared to what we’ve seen from ‘#23’, coupled with some misfortune they’ve faced throughout,” he added.
The driver representing RFK Racing’s #17 car is currently positioned P12 within driver standings. Although Chris Buescher boasts nine top-ten finishes alongside six top-five results this season so far—he remains yet without a victory.
Harvick anticipates an aggressive comeback approach from Buescher following NASCAR’s two-week hiatus as he aims to end his winless streak.
“Way Over His Head” – Kevin Harvick Critiques Kyle Busch’s On-track Incident at Indianapolis
This season has thrust RCR’s #8 driver Kyle Busch into numerous headlines due largely—in part—to various incidents during races. Despite an otherwise lackluster performance this year—mostly beyond Busch’s control—the incident involving Denny Hamlin noticeably shifted perceptions around him during their encounter at IMS.
Kyle Busch has endured considerable misfortune as pointed out by Kevin Harvick earlier; nonetheless it’s important also noting how actions speak volumes in shaping opinions surrounding competitiveness exhibited during racing moments such as those witnessed against Hamlin recently.
In fact within another segment featured during Happy Hour podcast episode—Harvick stated:
“I feel like Kyle is driving way over his head right now… His cars have struggled week-to-week effectively chasing speed – but this particular moment stands out where he’s attempting overtakes against Denny Hamlin while situated inside Top Five etc.—and convincingly drives deeper into corners recklessly!”
“While there are instances where things haven’t gone according strictly per plan purely through no errors attributable directly onto himself further here though reflects entirely on him,'” [23:24]
Busch finds himself seated P18 amongst drivers’ rankings currently mired deep amidst one longest stretches thus far w/o claiming victory! Given merely four regular-season contests remaining—the uncertainties revolving around aspirations targeting potential postseason play persist heavily weighing upon cohort along fervent followers alike throughout community!
