Kevin Harvick Reveals the Real Reason His Son Keelan Harvick Signed with Toyota

Kevin Harvick opened up on why Keelan Harvick decided to lock in Toyota Racing Development to move ahead in his motorsport career.

Kevin Harvick Reveals the Real Reason His Son Keelan Harvick Signed with Toyota

Kevin Harvick and Keelan Harvick (image via On3.com)

In Short
  • Keelan Harvick has signed a long-term deal with Toyota Racing Development, marking his first formal manufacturer relationship.
  • Kevin Harvick praised Toyota's unmatched development program for young drivers as beneficial for his son's racing career.
  • Despite challenges in the Super Late Model Series, Kevin Harvick emphasizes the importance of raising Keelan as a good human alongside his racing ambitions.

Kevin Harvick‘s son, Keelan Harvick, is following in his father’s footsteps very nicely and making his name in the world of motorsports. Harvick Sr. made his way up the ladder from the K&N and ARCA Series to Truck, Xfinity, and ultimately to the Cup Series. Now, the 13-year-old has started his path to NASCAR on a similar note and has joined Toyota Racing Development to lead his journey.

Notably, Keelan Harvick has signed a long-term deal with Toyota Racing Development, which is his first formal manufacturer relationship in his racing career. This deal will help Harvick Jr. place himself among the most established giants in motorsports. Understandably, his champion father, Kevin Harvick, is over the moon at this achievement from his 13-year-old son.

Kevin Harvick opened up on the matter and how much it means to him, seeing Keelan Harvick make it into Toyota’s program. Harvick applauded Toyota’s racing structure, claiming that they have a great group of people with good resources. He continued that the Japanese giant’s development program for young drivers was like no other, as it would give Harvick Jr. a great head start to his racing career.

It’s just a great group of people with the resources and the structure. Their development program is really unmatched. So I think for Keelan to be able to have that path and for us as parents to be able to have that partnership with a group of people you can work with together is important to us.

Kevin Harvick told Short Track Scene.

Further, Kevin Harvick noted that there hadn’t been any manufacturer commitment for Keelan Harvick until Toyota stepped in and helped him. Harvick reckoned Keelan’s path naturally led to Toyota Racing Development, and their ambitions in NASCAR seemed similar. As such, it was ultimately the best path for Harvick Jr. to sign with TRD.

There’s really never been any manufacturer commitment up until this point for him. I think that the path just kind of ended up there with the conversations and all the things that we talked about as a group, and we felt like that was the best path for Keelan.

Kevin Harvick added.

Kevin Harvick wants to raise a ‘good human’ in Keelan Harvick

Certainly, racing is something that comes naturally to Keelan Harvick as he continues to make history in the junior categories. Though he has faced some difficulties in the Super Late Model Series, he has demonstrated dedication and continues to give it his all. Despite the difficulties, Kevin Harvick is confident that his son will not only become a great racer but also an amazing human overall.

Kevin Harvick with Keelan Harvick (via Tom Macht Photo)
Kevin Harvick with Keelan Harvick (via Tom Macht Photo)

Kevin Harvick accepted that Keelan Harvick was facing difficulties in the Supers. Ultimately, they wanted Keelan to be fast, but also remain a good human being and not forget his roots. As such, Harvick Sr. is confident that Toyota Racing Development will help the 13-year-old grow into a more mature driver above all.

He’s done a great job just learning. I think the Supers have been a challenge. That’s what we’re looking for, just with the power, managing the car, the brakes and all the things that you don’t get out of the Pro Late Models. Each car has it’s own characteristics. We want him to be fast but you also want to raise a good human and I think that their culture is going to be good for him.

Kevin Harvick noted.

For now, Keelan Harvick is a long way away from making it to the big leagues of NASCAR. However, his current trajectory proves that he will definitely make it to the pinnacle of stock racing. Harvick Jr. just has to keep a level head on track and take opportunities. After all, Junior has a great support system behind him in his father, who will surely stay with him throughout his racing journey.

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