NASCAR racing has been a family affair ever since its inception. It started with the Petty family and this baton was then passed on to Earnhardt’s and Elliott’s. With every passing generation, there’s a new wave of drivers scripting their legacy and building a legacy for their children to carry forward. Having won the 2014 Cup Series Championship, Kevan Harvick now looks at his son Keelan who’s making a big transition in his professional racing career.

At 12 years old, Keelan Harvick generates widespread attention throughout the racing world because of his quick advancement from go-karts to full-bodied stock cars in a trajectory which seems sweeping but naturally destined. This weekend at New River All-American Speedway, young Harvick takes his most significant step yet, making his Pro Late Model Debut in the CARS Tour.

This moment wouldn’t be possible without the collaborative vision of two NASCAR icons. When Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Kevin Harvick became co-owners of the CARS Tour in 2023, they weren’t just investing in a racing series – they were crafting the perfect developmental pathway for racing’s next generation. Through this partnership, Keelan gains their all-time stamp of recognition in a professionally managed series that allows him to refine his skills with mentorship from two seasoned veterans.

The second-generation racer has shown through his achievements that he exceeds beyond his well-known family name. The Legends car circuit witnessed Keelan become the winner 27 times from his 49 total competed races while securing the INEX Young Lions Asphalt National Championship. His shift from half-size Legends cars to full-bodied stock cars has resulted in his initial Limited Late Model triumph at Florence Motor Speedway in February when he steered his car from the pole to a complete lead of all 40 laps.

Now comes Saturday’s CARS Tour Pro Late Model debut at Jacksonville, North Carolina’s New River All-American Speedway – a 100-lap test that represents Keelan’s first time piloting a Pro Late Model. Rackley W.A.R.’s social media captured the anticipation perfectly. And this tweet caught the attention of Dale Jr. who then reshared the post via his X account.

“I’m really excited,” Keelan expressed. “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.” Fortunately, New River isn’t unfamiliar territory for the young driver, who made his full-fendered debut there last year in a Street Stock and later won in the Legends division the same night. Still, the abrasive surface presents unique challenges. “I raced the Street Stock there with Ron Hornaday and that did not go well,” Keelan admitted with a laugh. “So I’m going to have to do a little bit better of a job of saving my tires.”

While this weekend marks an important milestone, it’s just the appetizer for what promises to be a historic season. Later this year, racing fans will witness something special as Kevin Harvick steps away from the broadcast booth to compete directly against his son.

The Harvicks Prepare for Historic Head-to-Head Battle

Interestingly, Kevin Harvick recently announced that he and Keelan will race against each other multiple times in 2025, beginning May 31st at Kern Raceway in the CARS Tour West. “So, today, we are announcing Keelan and I’s first race against each other,” Harvick revealed 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.”

The elder Harvick has already jokingly established some ground rules for their on-track battles, delivered with the trademark Harvick competitive edge. “Well, he’s a s— talker,” Kevin joked. “My big thing to him is, you better not wreck me. Because if you wreck me, I’m paying for both cars, or our program is paying for both cars, and if you wreck me, we’re going to have a big problem. You better make sure it matters and we’re racing for something pretty damn cool like a win.”

As Keelan gets his wheels on the tracks this weekend, he brings much more than just his last name. With the guidance of Dale Jr. and Kevin Harvick, Keelan is equipped to succeed in NASCAR’s development pipeline. The CARS Tour serves as both a proving ground and a showcase, demonstrating how racing’s past champions are actively shaping its future stars. For the dedicated Kevin fans, it would be a delight to watch his son climb the racing ladder. The torch isn’t just being passed – it’s being carefully tended by those who’ve carried it before.