In the high-voltage drama of the NASCAR Cup Series and Xfinity Series, fans often overlook events like the CARS Tour, which is a proving ground for young talent like Keelan Harvick. The Cars Tour, which has been co-owned by NASCAR legends like Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Kevin Harvick since 2023, mix Late Model Stock and Pro Late Model divisions. And at just 13, Keelan showed his talent in the 2025 Pro Late Model season by notching four wins at spots like Hickory and North Wilkesboro and consistent top finishes.

Fans showed their love to the series drivers like Connor Hall, Carson Loftin, and Keelan through daily votes from October 17 to November 5. But Keelan’s blend of raw speed and mature drives at such a young age set him apart from other drivers, making him the most popular driver in the Cars Tour 2025. But after becoming the most popular driver, Keelan delivers a heartfelt message to the fans and Dale Jr., whose vision keeps pushing the tour’s growth.

Keelan Harvick’s fan-voted triumph and touching words

Keelan Harvick‘s name lit up the Charlotte Motor Speedway on November 17, 2025, when fans voted him the Most Popular Driver in the CARS Tour Pro Late Model, which was his first such honor in any series. This fan-driven award was open to various drivers, where fans could vote for their favorite driver, but the Bakersfield native’s performance this season sets him apart.

And Keelan’s performance was evident when he beat his dad, Kevin Harvick; marking his debut win at Hickory set the tone for upcoming races, and a finale triumph at North Wilkesboro sealed the momentum.

Dale Earnhardt Jr. helped create this platform as a pathway for young drivers whose dreams are to race in top-tier NASCAR series. Also Dale Jr.’s push for mentorship from vets like Bobby McCarty ensured rookies like Keelan learned the basics right from an early age.

After winning the title at the season-ending awards banquet at the Speedway Club, Keelan poured out his gratitude, saying, “Being voted Most Popular Driver means a lot and is a huge honor for me. The fans are everything in racing, and this is their award to give, so it’s special that they took the time to vote for me.”

Those words hit hard, spotlighting how supporter ballots from October to early November turned casual cheers into a crown. Fans, the true heartbeat of any race, rallied daily on FloRacing, which had a packed 2025 schedule with 15-plus races. Keelan’s humility shone through his gratifying words to the fans who cheered him from Langley to Caraway.

CARS Tour Partnerships Director Karsyn Elledge captured the award’s fun side, noting, “The Most Popular Driver award is one of my favorite things to watch each year because of some of the crazy campaigns we’ve seen over the last few years.” Her take underscores the lighthearted hustle of teams and families pushing fans to vote their drivers amid on-track drama which add an extra layer of emotion.

For Keelan, this award is built on a season of growth, from karting champ in 2024 to out dueling pros like his father, all while Dale Jr.’s steady hand kept the tour stable with tweaks like condensed schedules.

As Keelan’s star rises in the family business, those trackside rivalries with Dad add layers to the story.

Harvick father-son track clashes heat up

Kevin Harvick retired from the Cup Series only to find fun at short tracks in 2025, racing his son Keelan eight times in CARS Tour Pro Late Models, which have lighter cars than NASCAR and demand quick feet on the throttle and brakes. At 49, Kevin joined the Rackley team to race at ovals under a mile. Keelan’s edge showed early, dominating his dad in five straight starts before a wild Las Vegas rain-delayed 100-lap race, where Keelan crashed chasing the lead but walked away fine.

“Whether I finish first or last, I’m having fun,” Kevin said. “I enjoyed what I did for a living, but it was still your job, and you were required to have good results”. These clashes were born from Kevin’s passion for race even after his retirement, and these races gave him that thrill that he chased his whole life.

“It’s definitely not become easier because as he gets more experienced and gets used to things, there isn’t a lot of learning curve left in getting up to speed,” Kevin shared, chuckling about home life. “It definitely hasn’t become easier at home or in practice or after the race, because all I do is hear about how he’s whipped my butt.”

That banter hides the strategy of Kevin, which he applies from time to time to teach his son Keelan, like yielding spots to teach positioning, and then also reviewing wrecks like Vegas together to point out the mistakes and what could have been done better in that spot.

Keelan, fresh off European kart podiums in 2022, absorbs it all, crediting Dad with, “He’s just teaching me to be calm and just drive through the field without having to hit anybody, and just be the best of my ability on and off the track.” Their dynamic is rare for fathers in that position who have such a busy schedule but still keep fueling Keelan’s poise, prepping him for bigger ovals down the road.