Kevin Harvick commends Ryan Blaney’s impressive comeback in the 2024 season of NASCAR Cup. Blaney, along with his team, has faced a challenging start to the season but has managed to bounce back and secure two victories, establishing himself as a strong contender for the championship. As the season progresses, Blaney has shown promising signs of defending his title.
Despite the struggles faced by Ford teams, Ryan Blaney and the No:12 team have remained a beacon of hope. They have experienced a period of poor performance but managed to turn things around with wins at Iowa and Pocono. This impressive turnaround has convinced former Cup champion Kevin Harvick that the No:12 team is a serious contender for the championship.
Harvick highlights that at the beginning of the season, many did not expect the No:12 team to be a strong contender for the championship. However, with recent developments to their cars and their exceptional performance on the track, they are now heading in the right direction. Harvick believes that the team is firing on all cylinders, thanks to the crew chief’s excellent decision-making, flawless pit-stops, and great execution.
Mamba Smith, co-host of the Happy Hour podcast, shares Harvick’s belief that Ryan Blaney has the potential to become the first driver since Jimmie Johnson to retain the title in the Next-Gen era. Smith has been a strong supporter of the No:12 team throughout the season, praising both the driver and the crew for their outstanding form.
On the other hand, Kevin Harvick still predicts that Denny Hamlin will secure his first championship in the 2024 season. It remains to be seen whether Harvick’s or Smith’s predictions will come true, or if another driver will emerge as the ultimate champion.