Going into the weekend, all eyes are on EchoPark Speedway and Atlanta. The NASCARCup Series goes from one drafting track to another. However, the differences in the tracks and how they race are very different.
Atlanta has given NASCAR fans some of the best races of the last four seasons. Three-wide photo finish, Chase Elliott‘s epic win last fall, and almost every race delivers on the action at this track now.
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Last year, it was also revealed that the big wrecks might make the racing better. When the field was reduced to around 30 drivers or fewer, the racing really picked up.
Kevin Harvick has raced at the new Atlanta. While the car and tires have changed, he has some of the best insight into how the track and this car perform. Of course, Harvick is a three-time winner at Atlanta.
Fox NASCAR broadcasters Josh Sims, Kevin Harvick, Jamie McMurray and Clint Bowyer chat before the Duels, Thursday, Feb. 12, 2026 at Daytona International Speedway.Nadia Zomorodian/News-Journal / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
(Nadia Zomorodian/News-Journal / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images)
During the final segment of his podcast this week, Kevin Harvick said he’s putting his faith in Kyle Larson and the No. 5 team this week. Larson has a not-so-great record at drafting tracks. So, this pick might come back to bite Harvick. But at the same time, he’s gotta win one eventually, right?
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“I think that there’s a lot of questions about the Chevy, but I like how fast they were, and I gotta believe that they designed that car to be more efficient from both aspects,” Harvick explained. “So, I’m thinking a Chevy. … I’m going [with] Kyle Larson.”
Harvick’s co-hosts, Kaitlyn Vincie and Mamba Smith, chose Joey Logano and Austin Dillon, respectively. That Dillon pick is pretty risky. But why not go out on a limb in Week 2?
Last season, Larson finished P3 at the first Atlanta race. It was a three-wide finish, but under caution. Christopher Bell was just ahead of Carson Hocevar and Larson when the yellow flag came out on the final lap of the race.
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So, recent history says Kyle Larson can compete well at Atlanta. He can even be in the mix for a win. Kevin Harvick is hoping that the historical record doesn’t matter as much going into this race as Larson’s talent and abilities behind the wheel.
This story was originally published by Athlon Sports on Feb 19, 2026, where it first appeared in the Racing section. Add Athlon Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
