After a forgettable 2025, Kyle Busch is back with a statement. The Richard Childress Racing driver captured pole for the Daytona 500, and NASCAR icon Kevin Harvick says the rest of the field should take notice.
Kevin Harvick Cautions the Field of Kyle Busch Ahead of Daytona 500
“I think that’s dangerous for the rest of the field,” Harvick said during Thursday’s live edition of “Kevin Harvick’s Happy Hour” at Daytona International Speedway.
Busch desperately needed a strong start to the season. He’s currently riding a 93-race winless streak and has never won the Daytona 500 in his career. Last year was forgettable from start to finish, with the No. 8 Chevrolet team struggling to find speed and making costly mistakes both on the track and on pit road.
“You have to not spin out, you have to not wreck, and when that wasn’t happening, they were making mistakes on pit road,” Harvick explained. “So they have a lot to clean up.”
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But Wednesday’s qualifying session showed that Busch and his team may have turned a corner. He edged out Chase Briscoe to claim the top starting spot for NASCAR’s biggest race, proving that Richard Childress Racing found the speed they desperately needed.
“The first thing they have to have is speed. Well, guess what? They showed up at the Daytona 500 with speed,” Harvick said.
Harvick also expressed happiness for team owner Richard Childress, calling him someone who “has meant so much to this sport” and praising his legacy and work ethic. Last season was tough for the entire organization, but Harvick believes they’re moving in the right direction.
For Busch, the pole position comes at a critical time. It’s a contract year for the two-time Cup Series champion, and he needs to prove he can still compete at the highest level. Harvick clearly thinks he can.
“I believe that he can still get it done,” Harvick said confidently.
One challenge Busch has faced is adapting to modern NASCAR racing. According to Harvick, drivers can no longer “man-handle” the cars like they used to. Instead, they need finesse and precision to get the most out of their machines.
“I think it’s something that Kyle has to be able to be comfortable with and get what he wants out of that car,” Harvick noted.
The timing couldn’t be better for Busch’s resurgence. NASCAR has brought back the Chase playoff format this season, giving him a fresh opportunity to make the postseason and compete for a championship. But first, he’ll need to end that 93-race winless drought.
Harvick acknowledged that Busch found himself in a desperate position after back-to-back disappointing seasons. His advice? Take a deep breath and focus on executing cleanly.
“I’m happy for Kyle,” Harvick said. “I think that Kyle Busch being competitive and winning races is really important to our sport.”
Now Busch has a chance to silence his critics and remind everyone why he’s a two-time champion. Starting from pole position at Daytona gives him the best possible opportunity to finally capture his first Daytona 500 victory and kick off his contract year in spectacular fashion.
