Kevin Harvick has built a legacy as one of NASCAR’s fiercest competitors. The 2014 Cup Series champion, known for his aggressive racing style and fiery personality, has seen it all in motorsports. But now, he’s watching his son, Keelan Harvick, carve his path in racing. The young driver has impressed many with his skill, maturity, and dedication despite being only 12 years old.
Reflecting on his son’s rapid growth in the sport, Kevin Harvick recently praised him. “He surprises me all the time… he’s 12,” Harvick said. Keelan’s progress has been nothing short of remarkable. From dominating go-kart races in Europe to winning in Late Models in the U.S., he has already made a name for himself. His highly anticipated debut in the CARS Tour Pro Late Model Series was set to be his next big step. However, ahead of the event, tragedy struck as the 12-year-old driver decided to withdraw his entry from the mega event.
Keelan Harvick apologizes to his team!
Keelan’s much-anticipated CARS Tour debut came to a heartbreaking halt just hours before the race. The 12-year-old, set to drive a Pro Late Model for the first time at New River All-American Speedway, had to pull out due to illness. He took on social media platform X to announce the news as fans were anticipating a blistering debut.
“Unfortunately, my CARS Tour Pro Late Model debut is going to have to wait… I’ve been battling a stomach bug for the last 24 hours, and I am not able to give 100% behind the wheel. I hoped I would feel good enough to race because I don’t want to let my Rackley WAR team down, but it wouldn’t be fair to them or my competitors to try to compete in this condition,” he wrote. Notably, Keelan’s disappointment was evident.
There was a lot of hype around this particular race with Keelan transitioning into full-time stock car racer. The series, co-owned by Dale Earnhardt Jr., is one of the most competitive late-model circuits in the country. It serves as a proving ground for young drivers hoping to make it to NASCAR’s top levels. He had spent weeks preparing for this moment, training hard and learning the nuances of Pro Late Model racing. But his health took a turn for the worse at the worst possible time.
— Keelan Harvick (@KeelanHarvick) March 1, 2025
Despite this setback, Keelan’s journey in racing has been nothing short of impressive. He started his career in go-karts, where he quickly made a name for himself by competing in both the U.S. and Europe. In 2023, Keelan transitioned to Legends Cars, where he continued to dominate. He became a perennial contender in the Young Lions division, collecting multiple wins and proving that he had the potential to follow in his father’s footsteps.
By 2024, he had racked up 27 wins in 49 starts, earning the INEX Young Lions Asphalt National Championship. His move into Late Models was the next natural step. He made his Limited Late Model debut in November 2024 at Florence Motor Speedway, finishing a solid eighth. Then, just a few months later, he secured his first stock car victory at Florence, showcasing his adaptability and skill. Keelan prepared to take the next big leap in his career with Dale Jr.’s CARS Tour race on his schedule. But for now, he would have to wait.
Kevin Harvick picks his favorite for the COTA Cup race!
While Keelan Harvick’s racing dreams were put on hold, Kevin Harvick turned his focus to the NASCAR Cup Series. As the sport shifts to its first road course race of the season at Circuit of The Americas (COTA), Harvick made his pick for the driver most likely to win. On the latest episode of Happy Hours with Kevin Harvick, he named William Byron as his favorite to take the checkered flag.
“I’m going to take William Byron. I think that he just notoriously has the early-season mojo to get into victory lane. He has done well on road courses. So, I’m going with the 24,” Harvick said. Notably, his backing comes with confidence as William Byron has been phenomenal in the ongoing season. The Hendrick Motorsports driver won the season opener, the Daytona 500, for the second year in a row.
Byron has already proven himself to be a strong road course racer. His wins at Watkins Glen in 2023 and at COTA in 2024 show that he knows how to handle the twists and turns of technical tracks. He also finished second behind Connor Zilisch in the Xfinity race before the Cup event. Notably, the 2.40-mile COTA circuit is one of the toughest on the schedule. With a steep uphill climb into Turn 1 and a series of fast, sweeping corners, drivers must balance aggression with precision. Harvick believes Byron possesses the skill and confidence to get the job done.
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