In a disappointing turn of events, 12-year-old Keelan Harvick, son of NASCAR legend Kevin Harvick, was forced to withdraw from his much-anticipated CARS Tour Pro Late Model debut at New River All-American Speedway on March 1, 2025. Keelan had been eagerly preparing for this milestone, which would have marked his first appearance in a Pro Late Model race.
The young racer had been battling a stomach bug in the 24 hours leading up to the event. Despite his determination to compete, Keelan ultimately decided that participating while unwell would be unfair to his team and fellow competitors. He shared his disappointment on social media, stating:
“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.”
Keelan’s withdrawal was a significant disappointment, as fans were eager to see him transition from go-karts and Legends cars to the more demanding Pro Late Model series. His father, Kevin Harvick, expressed his support by sharing Keelan’s post on Instagram with the message: “Feel better @keelanharvick.”
Despite this setback, Keelan’s racing career has been impressive. In 2024, he secured 27 wins in 49 starts, clinching the INEX Young Lions Asphalt National Championship. He also made a strong debut in the Limited Late Model category, finishing eighth at Florence Motor Speedway.
Looking ahead, an exciting event is on the horizon for the Harvick family. On May 31, Kevin and Keelan are scheduled to compete against each other for the first time in a CARS Tour West Pro Late Model race at Kern Raceway in Bakersfield, California. Reflecting on this upcoming race, Kevin Harvick remarked:
“Racing Keelan in my hometown for the first time is a pretty cool dad moment. Bakersfield has meant so much in the progression of my racing career, and being able to tie that together with the beginning of Keelan’s racing career is pretty special.”
While the recent health setback was undoubtedly disappointing for Keelan, his resilience and passion for racing suggest a bright future ahead.
