How far can Kevin Harvick advance in the NASCAR Cup Series playoffs?
Luken Glover: A 65-race winless streak and struggles from Stewart-Haas Racing? That does not matter when it comes to Kevin Harvick, who snapped that skid at Michigan International Speedway. Harvick made a statement with that win and proved he still knows how to get it done. This was superior timing to break through as the playoffs near. Harvick is tied for third in the series for top 10s with 12. He may not be a title favorite, but a Round of 8 appearance seems very realistic right now.
Josh Roller: Harvick will likely advance into the Round of 12. But Ford’s struggles to reach victory lane throughout 2022 will begin to show in that round. However, Harvick and crew chief Rodney Childers are capable of squeezing out a win, and at the very least max points, to move into the Round of 8. Beyond that, they’ll need help from their competitors by virtue of poor finishes. Harvick will be eliminated in the Round of 12.
Stephen Stumpf: Harvick’s playoff performance will depend on how much progress the No. 4 team makes in the upcoming weeks. Harvick pulled off the shocking win at Michigan, but he has led just 51 laps all season. Winning speed has eluded Harvick for much of the year. However, Childers said post-race the team has made progress in recent weeks and that Harvick has had a much better feel for the Next Gen car than he did at the start of the season. For now, the team’s ceiling appears to be the second round. But if Harvick can start leading laps and running toward the front more frequently in the upcoming weeks of the season, the odds of him going on a deep playoff run will only go up.
Amy Henderson: I want to say he won’t go very deep; he’s been solid this year but not great. But the Next Gen has changed the game; it’s been exceptionally hard for any driver to get on a real hot streak, and very few drivers are having what you might call a great season. Look at Denny Hamlin: if not for his two wins, he’d be having a miserable year. This win made Harvick hungry again, so he at least clears the first round.
Is Kyle Busch’s pending free agency affecting his on-track performance?
Andrew Stoddard: It has to be a factor. Job-related stress can have a negative impact on anyone’s performance, regardless of profession. It just so happens that Kyle Busch’s stress is very visible to the outside world. That said, there are other variables to consider. Toyota teams have…
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