Does a driver have to win their respective race to earn the recognition of Driver of the Week?
That is the question FOX Sports’ Kevin Harvick and Will Buxton debated during the latest episode of “SPEED With Harvick and Buxton.” Harvick says yes, while Buxton thinks otherwise. That was reflected in their choices for Driver of the Week after NASCAR’s Cook Out 400 and INDYCAR’s Children’s of Alabama INDY Grand Prix this past weekend as Harvick chose NASCAR’s winner, but Buxton selected an INDYCAR driver that was successful without earning the top spot on the podium.
Kevin Harvick: Chase Elliott
Elliott won his first NASCAR Cup Series race of the year at the NASCAR Cook Out 400 at Martinsville. He was helped by a gutsy call from his crew chief, Alan Gustafson, who advised Elliott to pit earlier than his competitors, and he ultimately benefited from a caution. Elliott’s win was the first by a Chevrolet driver in the 2026 season.
“All the talk about Chevrolet and everybody not being in Victory Lane, they squashed all that really quickly,” Harvick said of Elliott.
Buxton pushed back on Harvick’s choice because he felt Gustafson’s call was as important, if not more, to Elliott’s victory than his driving abilities, but Harvick felt finishing first holds a significant weight.
“I think the Driver of the Week has to win,” Harvick said.
Chase Elliott is regarded as NASCAR’s most popular driver.
[NASCAR TAKEAWAYS: Chase Elliott Outduels Denny Hamlin At Martinsville]
Will Buxton: Christian Lundgaard
Clearly, Buxton disagrees with the notion of the driving force having to win, as he selected Lundgaard, who completed second behind Alex Palou INDYCAR’s Kids’s of Alabama INDY Grand Prix. However to Buxton’s level, Lundgaard had an impeccable drive, going from tenth on the grid to second. That efficiency is sweet sufficient to earn Driver of the Week, even and not using a victory.
“I believed he was completely phenomenal this weekend,” Buxton stated. “Put the strikes on after they had been wanted, made them work, did not get himself into any sticky conditions. Drove with conviction. And I feel that win ought to have been his.”
Lundgaard had the alternative expertise to Elliott, as his workforce’s sluggish pit cease value him the victory on a day when his automotive was the quickest on the observe.
“Ought to have gained the race,” Buxton stated. “Definitely ought to have been within the combat within the last phases of the race.”
Though Lundgaard did not go Harvick’s take a look at of successful a race to earn Driver of the Week, he earned Harvick’s reward.
“You’ll be able to inform, these guys are all uninterested in getting beat by Palou,” Buxton stated. “And the work, and energy, and all the pieces that they’ve put on this yr. They’ll win some races, that group.”
Christian Lundgaard acquired kuddos for his second-place INDYCAR end at Barber.
[INDYCAR TAKEAWAYS: Alex Palou Repeats at Barber]
Fan vote: Chase Elliott
The followers agreed with Harvick and selected Elliott. Formulation 1’s Kimi Antonelli completed second within the fan vote.
“The facility of the most well-liked driver on the NASCAR circuit overcomes the F1 crowd this week,” Harvick stated.
“I lose once more,” Buxton stated.
The followers definitely aspect with Harvick’s opinion that to earn Driver of the Week you have to win the race, however Harvick complimented Buxton for sticking to what he believes in. Buxton responded, difficult Harvick to not select the NASCAR race winner subsequent time. Tune in subsequent week to see if Harvick follows by way of or sticks with this present development.
