Before the Daytona 500, the former NASCAR driver turned commentator, Kevin Harvickwho made his prediction for the 2026 NASCAR Cup Series championship, a nine-month battle for the Cup title. He will win the Bill France Cup on Nov. 8 at Homestead-Miami Speedway with the Hendrick Motorsports driver.

The 2026 NASCAR season kicks off this weekend. On a recent episode of the “Kevin Harvick Fun Days” podcast, Harvick, along with his co-hosts Caitlin Vinci and Mamba Smith, along with noted NASCAR reporter Bob Pokras, selected their presumptive champion.

Harvick Pick William Byron Win it all after one season. He has full confidence in Byron and the No. 24 crew chief’s ability to win the championship. Byron reaches Championship 4 for the third consecutive season in 2025.

Predicting the 2026 Cup Championship, Harvick had this to say:

“Take Byron (William Byron) as an example. That’s the maturity and the quality of the team. I think he and Rudy, you know, have a great relationship and have been through a lot of tough times together, and that’s what it takes to be a champion.”

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Last year, William Byron finished an unrepresentative 33rd at Phoenix Raceway while chasing his first NASCAR Cup Series championship. He earned three wins, 11 top-5 finishes, 16 top-10 finishes and led 1,330 laps in the No. 24 HMS Chevrolet.

Kevin Harvick co-host predicts William Byron rival to win 2026 NASCAR title

NASCAR legend Kevin Harvick’s co-host Mamba Smith bets on Byron’s on-track rival, Christopher Bellwinning the first championship of the year. Last year, he finished fifth in the championship standings.

“I like this pick. I went to Byron last year and I felt like the flame was still there. But no, I’m going to take Christopher Bell. I think Bell, I don’t know, man. That’s about it,” Smith said on the aforementioned podcast.

Co-host Kaitlyn Vincie selected Chase Briscoe, who made his first career Final Four appearance last year. She said:

“I’m going to take Briscoe. I’m going to stick to that. He won four championships a year ago. If he can’t do that again, take the top prize.”

Fox Sports reporter Bob Pokras was also on the “Happy Hour” podcast and named former Cup winner Ryan Blaney as his pick for the championship.

It will be interesting to see how Kevin Harvick and his co-host’s championship pick fare over the 36-race weekend.