NASCAR: 5 bold predictions for the 2022 season

NASCAR bold predictions: No. 3 – Kevin Harvick will return to the Championship 4

Kevin Harvick was the odds-on favorite to win his second series title in 2020 after winning a series-high — and career-high — nine races, but after a poor showing at Martinsville Speedway in the round of 8 finale, he was eliminated from the playoffs just one race shy of the season finale, leaving many fans questioning the playoff format.

Last year, the 2014 champion’s misfortune continued. He had his first winless season in over a decade, posted his personal least number of top five finishes since 2013, and led only 217 laps, his worst in that category since 2009.

In the 10-race 2021 playoffs, however, he posted four top five finishes, eight top 10 finishes, and a 9.3 average finish. He also led 108 of his total 217 laps led for the season.

Harvick is more fired up now than he has possibly ever been, and the veteran is known to excel under pressure and when things change. When he won the 2014 championship, he did it with a brand-new team that was in a must-win situation for the final two races of the year.

This year, the pressure will surely be on Stewart-Haas Racing’s most successful driver as he again adapts to new elements of the competition and as questions about retirement surround him.