Keelan Harvick, son of former NASCAR Cup Series champion Kevin Harvick, is preparing for his highly anticipated debut at the Snowball Derby, one of the most prestigious events in short track racing. As the latest headline in Kevin Harvick racing news, the thirteen-year-old is drawing attention for his rapid progress and high ambitions as he enters the Snowflake 125 at Five Flags Speedway in 2025.
Keelan Harvick’s Path to the Derby Spotlight
Since beginning his Pro Late Model career in 2025, Keelan Harvick has quickly made a name for himself, stringing together impressive performances and victories. Building on Kevin Harvick Inc.’s earlier attempts at the Snowball Derby with drivers like Ryan Preece in 2023 and William Sawalich in 2024, Keelan now takes center stage for the team. His year has been defined by markers such as his first Pro Late Model win at Kern Raceway, even beating his father in a memorable head-to-head contest, and taking the CARS Tour Pro Late Model season finale at North Wilkesboro Speedway.
Despite his momentum, competing at a storied event like the Snowball Derby brings its own nerves and challenges. Keelan is focused on meticulous preparation, determined to refine every detail of his performance to stand out against a competitive field packed with talented drivers from across North America.
Preparation and Insight: Learning from Each Race
Keelan openly acknowledges the areas he still wants to improve, especially as the stakes rise heading into the Derby. As he stated during a FloRacing interview,
“Just have to get a few things better on my part,”
Keelan Harvick, Driver. He also reflected,
“My driving technique, I was hitting the brake too hard, and it was messing up a whole lap. So I can fix that when I go back down there,”
Keelan Harvick, Driver.
This year’s Snowflake 125, an extension of the traditional Snowflake 100, increases the challenge by adding an extra 25 laps and a star-studded roster, including decorated names like Bubba Pollard, Casey Roderick, Stephen Nasse, Kaden Honeycutt, and Max Reaves. For Keelan, this is an opportunity to prove his abilities and compete with legends he has long admired. He said,
“There’s a lot of talent, and it’s just a really big race in general. A lot of legends have won that race, and this is really cool. If I could add my name to the list,”
Keelan Harvick, Driver.
Even with the pressure of being Kevin Harvick’s son and racing against notable opponents, Keelan remains undaunted, sharing,
“The goal is to win. I think we have a lot of confidence going into that race, we have a really good car,”
Keelan Harvick, Driver.
A Standout Rookie Year: Victories and Friendly Rivalries
Throughout 2025, Keelan Harvick has consistently impressed with his commitment to learning and performing under pressure. Earlier in the year, during his outing at Five Flags Speedway alongside his father, he set the fast time in qualifying with a remarkable 16.847-second lap in the Allen Turner Pro Late Model Series before finishing fourth in the feature event. Meanwhile, Kevin Harvick finished twelfth, a result that prompted his son’s playful observation:
“I think that he has to get a little bit better with glasses to see how close he can get to the wall,”
Keelan Harvick, Driver.
Victories haven’t been limited to track performance. In his Late Model debut at the South Carolina 400 at Florence Motor Speedway, Keelan started from the outside of the front row and managed a podium finish in third. Facing talented competitors like the Kvapil brothers, Jade Brown, and Jared Fryar, he demonstrated his ability to adapt and compete at a high level from the outset. Reflecting on the race, he shared,
“Yeah, there’s definitely a lot of stuff that happened in that race,”
Keelan Harvick, Driver. He continued,
“Just can’t thank the KHI (Kevin Harvick Incorporated) guys enough. They brought me a really fast car. Sorry to them that I damaged it a bit, but came out here with a top-5,”
Keelan Harvick, Driver.
Family Support and Friendly Competition
Kevin Harvick, with decades of racing prestige, supports his son’s growth and the healthy competition between them. According to Kevin,
“I tell him this all the time, I’m not the guy that you need to be racing. I’m having fun. I’m not as fast as a lot of the young kids. For me, I’m having a great time doing it,”
Kevin Harvick, Driver.
This sentiment highlights the enjoyment the family finds in racing together, as well as Kevin’s recognition of the generational shift in driving talent. Veteran crew chief Rodney Childers has also provided guidance as part of the No. 62 Hunt Brothers Pizza Chevrolet team, adding to the resources supporting Keelan’s development. As Keelan competes and learns with each event, the camaraderie and mentorship from within the Harvick circle continue to shape his journey.
Looking Ahead: Challenges and Expectations for the Snowball Derby
With his focus now turned to the Snowball Derby and the Snowflake 125, Keelan Harvick faces one of the most demanding fields this season. Competing alongside established winners like Bubba Pollard, Casey Roderick, and Stephen Nasse, as well as emerging talents including Kaden Honeycutt and Max Reaves, the stage is set for an eventful and challenging race. The legacy of past winners means that adding his name to the victors’ list is a significant motivation for Keelan and his team at Kevin Harvick Inc.
Just thirteen years old, Keelan has quickly adapted to the rising intensity and expectations that come with each milestone. Supported by Kevin Harvick, who is proud to witness his son’s rapid growth—even as it means sometimes being bested on track—Keelan’s determination to strive for victory stands out as a defining trait. Each event sharpens his skills and prepares him for the next challenge.
The coming Snowball Derby will be a major test for Keelan Harvick. It will determine whether his skill, preparation, and competitive spirit can translate into a headline-making win in one of short track racing’s grandest stages. As the racing world keeps a close watch, all eyes are on the Harvicks and their ongoing impact on the sport, with fans and commentators eager for this latest chapter in Kevin Harvick racing news.
At just 13 years old, @KeelanHarvick has impressed all year with multiple wins. But can he win the Snowflake 125 in his debut?
Our #DriveToTheDerby presented by @Racecareng made a stop at @NWBSpeedway where he told us that winning is the only goal #SnowballDerby pic.twitter.com/bXgX3nqAXS
— FloRacing (@FloRacing) November 24, 2025
