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NASCAR Legend's 12-Year-Old Son Making His Racing Debut

Originally posted on The Spun | By Matt Hladik | Last updated Feb 25, 2025 11:37 AM ET

In many ways, NASCAR is a family business, with several examples of second and third-generation drivers competing on the track.

During his decorated career behind the wheel, Kevin Harvick established himself as one of the greatest drivers in the history of NASCAR. A two-time Xfinity Series champion, the 2014 NASCAR Cup Series champion and the 2020 Cup Series regular season winner, Harvick won over 100 races over more than two decades.

Now, his son Keelan is going to give racing a go. Keelan Harvick, 12, is gearing up for his CARS Tour Pro Late Model race debut this Saturday at New River All-American Speedway in Jacksonville, North Carolina.

This will be the younger Harvick's first time behind a Pro Late Model, as he's previously only driven go-karts and Legends cars.

“I’m really excited,” Keelan Harvick told FloRacing. “I think that it’ll be a new learning curve for me, especially because I’ve never driven it, but I think it will be fun.”

CONCORD, NORTH CAROLINA - MAY 29: Kevin Harvick, driver of the #4 Mobil 1 Ford, his wife, DeLana Harvick, daughter, Piper and crew chief Rodney Childers stand on the grid during the national anthem prior to the NASCAR Cup Series Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway on May 29, 2023 in Concord, North Carolina. (Photo by David Jensen/Getty Images)David Jensen/Getty Images

Earlier this month, Keelan picked up his first win in a full-bodied stock car in the 40-lap Limited Late Model feature at Florence.

Also, a couple of weeks ago, Kevin Harvick revealed that he and his son will race against each other multiple times in 2025.

“So, today, we are announcing Keelan and I’s first race against each other,” Harvick said on his Happy Hour podcast. “It’s going to be May 31st in my hometown of Bakersfield, California at Kevin Harvick’s Kern Raceway. How cool is it to have our – the first time we’re going to race each other it’s going to be in my hometown in front of the fans that supported me for so long. He’s going to run his first race there in March. But the first of what looks to be about eight races this year will happen at Kern in the Pro Late Model on the CARS Tour West, May 31st.”

Obviously, this is a massive moment for father and son. Keelan has a long way to go to match his dad's resume, but you have to start somewhere.

Best of luck to him this weekend.

This article first appeared on The Spun and was syndicated with permission.

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