Few people experience pressure like Keelan Harvick, who is entering a sport where his father, Kevin Harvick, made a lasting legacy. Pressure is a part of life for many people in motorsports. NASCAR saw a sea change in 2001 after Kevin’s first major victory in Atlanta. Twenty-four years later, Keelan must decide whether to follow his father’s tradition or carve his route.

Keelan Harvick had already established himself in Legends racing and go-karting, displaying poise and skill above his years. But mental toughness is just as important to racing success as skill. His real difficulty would be to maintain composure under duress and to embrace his family name without letting it define him. Kevin Harvick acknowledged the difficulties Keelan encountered during his racing career as he thought back on his son’s early hardships saying, “I don’t think we all expected him to do as well as he did. He was very aware of his surroundings, communication, and the things he did with the car”.

Ideally, Keelan was scheduled to make his CARS Tour Pro Late Model debut at the New River All-American Speedway. But, his dream debut was foiled by poor health which forced him to sit out. The next race on the schedule was at Kern Raceway, a racetrack owned by his father. It was a perfect spot where he could announce his entry to the world of stock car racing, but his debut was mired by one setback after another.

Back-to-back disappointments could’ve easily dampened the spirit of the young racer. But Keelan understood that setbacks are just a part of racing and his gesture post-race was received well by the fans in the grandstands.

Keelan Harvick’s Debut: A Legacy Tested by Adversity and Triumph

Although Keelan missed out on making his debut at All-American Speedway, he quickly strapped himself in the No. 62 car for the CARS Tour West PLM debut in Bakersfield, California. This was a special place for the young driver as this race track is owned by his father, Kevin Harvick. But for some reason or the other the race Gods didn’t agree with Keelan’s debut plans and during the practice session the motor on the No. 62 car broke down. Unable to attempt the qualifying rounds, Keelan had to start the race at the back of the field in the tail end.

Well, despite the mounting troubles, the 12-year-old kept at it and was able to complete the race. He wasn’t dejected or bummed about things not going his “Yes sir, the practice didn’t go well as we wanted to, but we have a fast car, and I’m excited to see what I can do. It’s really cool to drive on my dad’s track. But yeah, this is also the biggest track that I’ve ever drive on the Pro Late Model. But yeah, it should be fun.”

As it turns out the race didn’t turn out well either. After blowing up an engine during the practice Keelan’s team was mired with similar troubles during the race. The young driver took to social media and shared the details about the race at Kern Raceway. “Tough night. Broke one motor in practice and wasn’t able to qualify and another in the race. Had a blast while it lasted! #62 #keeplearnin #keepdiggin.”

Media responsibilities were going to be frequent for Keelan, but he certainly handled his last one with grace. Something that his father Kevin Harvick will be proud of. Even before competing in the first PLM race, the 12-year-old knew that it was going to be difficult to replicate his legend cars success. “My dad is really big on being smooth and trying to be consistent. That’s really helped me through my career. I would love to win a lot, but this is a brand new competition and it’s going to be really hard to adapt.”

Fortunately, Keelan has his father to rely on for mentorship and guidance as he moves on to the next races. Although this result at Kern Raceway was nowhere close to his debut first full-bodied stock car race at Florence, where he finished eight, he will get more opportunities to shine.

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Kevin Harvick and Keelan Harvick: A Legacy in the Making

Family racing legacy is huge in NASCAR. We have the likes of Pettys, Earnhardts, and the Elliotts. Like the rest of the folks, Kevin Harvick did his bit and put his family’s name in the NASCAR history books. The 2014 triumph with Stewart Haas Racing and a decade-long domination with Rodney Childers and the No. 4 team set the base up for Harvicks to join the illustrious list.

But, Kevin Harvick knew that he needed to find strong partners that would provide the right platform to his son. And in his search, he landed at Rackley W.A.R Racing. With KHI’s revival, the veteran driver joined forces Willie Allen in a new partnership. Both Harvick and Keelan joined Rackley W.A.R’s SLM and PLM programs. “Rackley W.A.R. has a solid and proven track record that will drastically improve the learning curve for Keelan and I in the Super and the Pro Late Model,” Harvick said.

On the other side of the bargain, the former SHR driver will serve in the role of the consultant for Rackley’s Truck Series program and driver Dawson Sutton. KHI won two championship in 2007 and 2009 so Rackley knows that he is the right man for this job. This in hindsight could also bring back KHI to NASCAR with Keelan’s progress, or who knows the young driver might have his big break at Truck Series level with Rackley W.A.R team.