Sports

Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Kevin Harvick Make Predictions for Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway

Before the Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway, two legends of the sport are making their picks for winners. Kevin Harvick and Dale Earnhardt Jr. both take to their own podcasts each week to make race predictions and preview the weekend in NASCAR.

Going into the Coca-Cola 600, the longest race of the season, there are many options to choose from. Last year, Ross Chastain ripped William Byron's heart out in the end to win. Who will it be this year?

Well, Harvick is sticking with the guy who just won at Dover, Denny Hamlin. He's won the Coca-Cola 600 once before back in 2022. Can he do it again?

"I already told you I'm riding the Denny Hamlin train, he's going to win again," Harvick remarked on his podcast.

On the other side of the podcast world, Dale Earnhardt Jr. offered his take on the Dale Jr. Download.

"Where's Briscoe [in the favorites]?" Earnhardt asked his producer. "I think Briscoe's going to win it."

With a little bit of pushback from TJ Majors on the pick, Dale Jr. defended his choice of Chase Briscoe, who was a top-five finisher in the race a year ago.

"The 600 is one of those races where, your Christopher Bell more than likely be leading that race at mile 400," Earnhardt explained. "Denny, will probably be leading it at mile 500, but it's always that - it's that race where it lends itself to the opportunity of a guy like a Briscoe to slide in there and start his run, just like he did last year, and a Byron."

So, Denny Hamlin is the choice for Harvick and Chase Briscoe is the pick for Earnhardt. Two Joe Gibbs Racing drivers, but only one of them can win. Who is your choice for the Coca-Cola 600?

Copyright 2026 Athlon Sports. All rights reserved.

This story was originally published May 21, 2026 at 9:15 AM.

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