Kevin Harvick and Brad Keselowski Prepare to Go Head-to-Head as Playoff Bubble Gets Intense

Michael McDowell’s win on Sunday has given birth to many new storylines in the Cup Series. Another new winner this season means 14 different drivers have won, with two races left in the regular season schedule. But there will be an ominous silence about the situation of Kevin Harvick and Brad Keselowski, who have made their way into the upper echelons of the points table merely based on their points tally.

If Watkins Glen witnesses another win from a driver yet to qualify for the playoffs, it will mean that either one of the #4 or the #6 Fords will miss out on the final 16. The knowledgeable trio of Steve Letarte, Jeff Burton, and Rick Allen present their thoughts about the scenario around the playoff bubble battle and what the consequences of the weekend could be in another episode of NASCAR America Motormouths.

“You better run this race accordingly”: Jeff Burton warns Kevin Harvick and Brad Keselowski

Both Keselowski and Harvick have taken a similar approach to their season. Amassing as many stage and race points as possible has helped them gain strength in their quest to rise through the points table. But McDowell‘s unexpected win has set off a series of speculations about how things could shape up at Darlington. Although winning is always the best alternative to their approach, Harvick and Keselowski find themselves at 6th and 8th, respectively. The prospect of a driver from outside the top 16 winning at the Glen makes the scenarios quite intense and closely matched.

Jeff Burton has some ideas about what could happen as he explains, “I think it’s changed the strategy for Kevin Harvick and Brad Keselowski too because you have.. you just mentioned it, all the guys that could win the race this weekend, then we go to Daytona.”

This season’s number of winners highlights the level of competition in the series and the importance of winning a race in the regular schedule. Burton feels that the pair will definitely look out for each other as they are separated by a minuscule margin of 2 points which could change in a jiffy. A new winner means the duo will compete for a final spot having raked in the highest points among winless drivers.

“Show me a guy on the sheet of paper with the points on it they can’t win. So, I think if you’re Brad Keselowski and you’re Kevin Harvick and his teams, you’re at a point race, you have to assume that you’re in a point race. You better run this race at Watkins Glen accordingly,“ says Burton.

The best-case scenario for NASCAR’s former champions would be that both of them collect a win each at the remaining races. A first win for either of them would solve the dilemma instantaneously and clears the duo for the playoffs. Another situation in which they make a final 16 appearances together would be if no new winner emerges at Watkins Glen and Daytona. Both the teams will be in a quandary over it.

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“I do not see winning speed”: Burton reveals the thorn in the flesh for Brad Keselowski

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A few days ago, Keselowski had shed light on the playoff qualification system in place and how some big stars missing out on the playoffs were another facet of the competition. Well, there is quite the possibility of him being one of the big names that faces a similar fate. Chase Elliott is another big name who has been striving for a win but has not been able to find it so far. But to his advantage, another road course will arrive at his door in the form of an opportunity.

“Now the best way to get in is by winning, but so far this year, I do not see winning speed on road courses from Brad Keselowski or Kevin Harvick,“ claims Burton. Road courses truly test the mettle of the drivers with continuous change in leads and rigorous battles all across the field. Although Keselowski has been riding on his recent wave of success at RFK Racing, the #6 Mustang doesn’t seem ready to win just yet.

“I just haven’t seen it. They’re going to have to go to this race this weekend and forget anything except for what is my counterpart doing. How do I get more points than he does? Two winners, and only one of those guys is getting in, and by the way, they’re separated by two points. So you better get some this weekend.”

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Harvick and Keselowski will certainly be hoping for a change in their fortunes, although it looks quite unlikely. Looks like we have another quintessential Cup Series playoff bubble battle on our hands.