In a historic and emotional night at Kevin Harvick’s Kern Raceway in Bakersfield, California, 12-year-old Keelan Harvick achieved his first Pro Late Model victory during the inaugural “Battle of the Harvicks.” This event marked the first time Keelan competed directly against his father, NASCAR legend Kevin Harvick, in a CARS Tour West Pro Late Model race.
The race was structured as two 75-lap segments. In the first segment, Kevin Harvick showcased his experience by overtaking Keelan on lap 36 and securing the stage win. However, the second segment brought unexpected drama. With just six laps remaining, a fierce battle for the lead among Kevin Harvick, Buddy Shepherd, and Jacob Gomes culminated in a multi-car collision. Gomes made contact with Kevin Harvick’s car, causing a spin that also involved Shepherd and Jace Hale. This incident cleared the path for Keelan, who was running fifth, to inherit the lead .
On the ensuing restart, Keelan faced pressure from Kenna Mitchell, who briefly took the lead. Demonstrating remarkable composure, Keelan executed a crossover move to reclaim the top position and maintained it to the finish line, securing his maiden Pro Late Model win .
This victory adds to Keelan’s growing list of accomplishments in motorsports. Earlier in the year, he won a Limited Late Model race at Florence Motor Speedway and earned a pole position in his CARS Tour debut at Cordele Motor Speedway .
The “Battle of the Harvicks” not only highlighted Keelan’s emerging talent but also symbolized a poignant moment in the Harvick family’s racing legacy. Kevin Harvick, despite finishing 13th after the late-race incident, expressed pride in his son’s achievement, acknowledging the unpredictable nature of short-track racing and the significance of the event for their family .
This memorable race at Kern Raceway underscores the continuation of the Harvick family’s deep-rooted connection to motorsports and marks the beginning of a new chapter in their racing journey.
