After wire-to-wire wins and head-to-head battles with Kevin, the teen prodigy eyes expansion with Rackley WAR
Keelan Harvick's return to the No. 62 for Rackley W.A.R. in 2026 feels like a true homecoming, cementing the 13-year-old's rapid rise in the late model ranks while deepening a family legacy in NASCAR.
The announcement came directly from the team's official social media, filled with enthusiasm: "@rackley_war is set for another year of chasing wins with KPH @KeelanHarvick returns to the RW No. 62 with plans of taking on new challenges and new tracks in 2026."
This continuation builds on a partnership that began in late 2024 between Kevin Harvick Inc. (KHI) and Rackley-Willie Allen Racing (Rackley WAR), which expanded into full late model efforts for 2025.
For Keelan, now 13 after turning the age milestone during his breakout season, 2025 was nothing short of spectacular.
Entering full-bodied stock cars after a strong karting and limited late model background, he quickly adapted to Pro Late Models and Super Late Models under the Rackley WAR banner.
His debut in a limited late model came late in 2024 at Florence Motor Speedway, where he finished a solid eighth, learning valuable lessons about tire management and aggression.
But 2025 saw him explode onto the scene. Highlights included multiple victories across prestigious events: a dominant wire-to-wire win at Kevin Harvick's Kern Raceway in the CARS Tour West, a commanding performance at Hickory Motor Speedway for his first zMAX CARS Tour Pro Late Model victory (leading nearly every lap while outrunning his father Kevin), a thrilling late-race pass for the win at North Wilkesboro Speedway, and additional triumphs at tracks like South Boston and Florence.
He also notched strong finishes, such as a runner-up in the Masters of the Pros 200 at Owosso Speedway and a history-making victory in the Allen Turner Hyundai Snowflake 125 at Five Flags Speedway—the youngest winner ever in that Pro Late Model classic, showcasing composure under pressure by recovering from a botched restart to claim the checkered flag in the early morning hours.
These successes weren't just individual achievements; many came in direct competition with his father, Kevin Harvick, the 2014 NASCAR Cup Series champion.
The duo raced head-to-head in several events as part of the informal "Harvick Cup" series, with Keelan often coming out on top—winning five of their seven matchups.
Their first showdown at Kern County Raceway Park in May split the twin features evenly, but Keelan dominated subsequent battles, including at Evergreen Speedway and Hickory, where he pulled away for convincing wins.
Kevin, serving as a consultant for Rackley WAR's Truck Series program while occasionally racing late models himself, has been vocal about his pride.
Reflecting on Keelan's progress through traffic and racecraft, he told reporters, "I think when you look at the progression of just him going through traffic... all those things are the types of things that I liked... I love the fact that he won against a great field of cars. That’s what we try to do, we try to run the competitive races because you learn more."
Kevin has admitted Keelan has "whipped my butt" in their on-track duels, turning what could be rivalry into a heartwarming father-son story of mentorship and shared passion.
The Rackley WAR alliance has been pivotal. Formed to leverage Kevin's championship expertise for their NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series efforts (including guiding rookie Dawson Sutton) while providing top-tier equipment for the Harvicks in late models, it's proven mutually beneficial.
Keelan's consistent speed and wins validate the program's strength, and his return for 2026—with eyes on new tracks and bigger challenges—signals continued growth.
At just 13, Keelan Harvick is already carving his own path, blending raw talent with the guidance of a NASCAR legend.
His 2025 season, capped by the historic Snowflake win just weeks ago, has NASCAR fans buzzing about the next generation.
Returning to the familiar No. 62 cockpit with Rackley WAR and KHI ensures that 2026 will bring even more excitement, as this young phenom chases greater heights in the sport his father helped define.