Keelan Harvick Reacts to Grabbing A Top-5 on Late Model Debut At the South Carolina 400

Keelan Harvick earned a well-deserved top-5 finish in the 2025 South Carolina 400 at the Florence Motor Speedway. The 13-year-old began his Late Model debut from second position on the grid and fought against the likes of the Kvapil brothers (Caden and Carson), Jade Brown, and Jared Fryar to finish in fifth place.

The grit and resilience Keelan had to display have taught him a lot about the challenges he will face racing in this discipline. Keelan hopes to carry the learnings with him through his racing journey.

“Yeah, there’s definitely a lot of stuff that happened in that race,” said Keelan during the media interaction after the race. He was visibly elated.

“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,” he added.

Keelan Harvick survived to a top5 in the South Carolina 400, his Late Model Stock debut pic.twitter.com/mNwjao7L9r

— Matt Weaver (@MattWeaverRA) November 23, 2025

Iconic crew chief Rodney Childers was a part of the No. 62 Hunt Brothers Pizza Chevrolet crew that Keelan drove for. His presence must have been a huge help in securing this result.

Without question, Keelan is growing quickly as an able race car driver who could someday fill the big shoes of his father, Kevin Harvick, the 2014 Cup Series champion.

Earlier this month, Keelan debuted at the Nashville Fairgrounds Speedway and finished eighth in the JEGS/CRA All-Stars Tour All-American 100. He showcased a strong ability to manage his tires during the race, a skill that is becoming more and more important in motorsports.

As Keelan continues to improve, such results will add to his confidence while making him grow in terms of race craft and skillset.

Kevin Harvick doesn’t mind losing to his son

Kevin and Keelan have raced against each other six times this year. The teenager has bested his father on five occasions. But as much fun as it is for the boy to beat his old man, Kevin keeps reminding him that his foes are elsewhere.

“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 told Fox Sports in an interview.” 

After a notable career in the Cup Series, Kevin retired at the end of the 2023 season. Since then, he has focused on the other aspects of life.