Toyota Racing Development signs 13-year-old Keelan Harvick to long-term driver deal

Keelan Harvick, son of retired NASCAR champion Kevin Harvick, commits to NASCAR career path with Toyota

Published on Feb. 23, 2026

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Toyota Racing Development has signed 13-year-old Keelan Harvick, son of retired NASCAR driver Kevin Harvick, to a long-term driver development deal. Keelan had previously been pursuing a career in European racing, but a jarring incident at a karting event in Italy attended by Formula 1 star Charles Leclerc made him realize he was better suited for a NASCAR career. Toyota will partner Keelan with RACKLEY W.A.R. and Kevin Harvick, Inc. to compete in dozens of late model races nationwide this year, with the goal of eventually reaching the NASCAR Cup Series.

Why it matters

The Harvick family's decision to partner with Toyota represents an interesting shift, as Kevin Harvick spent his entire 23-year NASCAR career driving for Chevrolet and Ford. Toyota's driver development program has helped promote several current NASCAR Cup Series drivers, and the company's investment in Keelan Harvick's future suggests they see significant potential in the young driver.

The details

Keelan Harvick, who was the 2024 INEX Young Lions National Champion, has already found success in multiple racing series. In December, he became the youngest-ever winner of the Snowflake 125 at Five Flags Speedway in Pensacola, Florida. He followed that up with a victory in Florence Motor Speedway's Icebreaker in early February, where he was the youngest winner of that event and earned his first career Late Model victory. Keelan also won four zMAX CARS Tour Pro Late Model events and two CARS Tour West Pro Late Model Series races in 2025, becoming the first driver to win PLM events in both series in the same season.

  • In December 2025, Keelan Harvick became the youngest-ever winner of the Snowflake 125 at Five Flags Speedway in Pensacola, Florida.
  • In early February 2026, Keelan Harvick won the Icebreaker event at Florence Motor Speedway, becoming the youngest winner of that race and earning his first career Late Model victory.
  • In 2025, Keelan Harvick won four zMAX CARS Tour Pro Late Model events and two CARS Tour West Pro Late Model Series races, becoming the first driver to win PLM events in both series in the same season.

The players

Keelan Harvick

A 13-year-old third-generation driver who has signed a long-term deal with Toyota Racing Development to pursue a NASCAR career.

Kevin Harvick

Keelan's father, a retired NASCAR driver who won 63 career Cup Series races and the 2014 championship. He is now an analyst for Fox Sports.

Toyota Racing Development (TRD)

The racing division of Toyota that has signed Keelan Harvick to a long-term driver development deal and will partner him with RACKLEY W.A.R. and Kevin Harvick, Inc. to compete in late model races.

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What they’re saying

“My main goal is to be just like my Dad and just try to make it to the Cup Series.”

— Keelan Harvick (The Associated Press)

“We've concentrated a lot on development and have a theory on how it should go, and I felt like the Toyota process matched what we would do. I think that the effort that Toyota puts into, not only the driving piece of it, but the human piece of it is very important to us as a family. That was really one of the biggest reasons on why we went this direction.”

— Kevin Harvick (The Associated Press)

“Everyone at Toyota and TRD are excited to welcome Keelan into the Toyota Racing family. Keelan has proven himself on-track, and despite his young age, has continued to be wise beyond his years with his professionalism and work ethic off of it. TRD is thrilled to partner with Keelan and his family as Keelan continues to develop his racing craft. We see a bright future ahead for him, and everyone at Toyota is proud to be part of his journey.”

— Tyler Gibbs, President, TRD, U.S.A. (The Associated Press)

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.

The takeaway

Toyota's investment in Keelan Harvick's future, including partnering him with their development program and established NASCAR teams, suggests they see significant potential in the young driver. The Harvick family's decision to align with Toyota also represents an interesting shift, as Kevin Harvick spent his entire NASCAR career with Chevrolet and Ford.