Kevin Harvick knows a thing or two about competition. His 0.006-second win over Jeff Gordon in the 2001 Atlanta race proved that. After all, Harvick was just a rookie, having replaced the late Dale Earnhardt Sr. just months ago. Just as Gordon was going down the inside, a slow car came in the middle, but Gordon was unfazed. He wanted that win. But just as they came over the line, the gap, just a little over a few inches, had made the difference in favor of Harvick, the man who had fended off a Cup Series Champion. Now, he’s trading the pressure of the Cup Series for a heartfelt pro late model race against his 12-year-old son, Keelan, at Kern Raceway in Bakersfield. This father-son showdown isn’t about trophies—it’s about family, joy, and a new chapter for the Harvick legacy.

In a candid chat with Mamba Smith, Harvick shared his new mindset: “I’m fully prepared to get beat, okay? I just told [Keelan], ‘Well, you know, I’m gonna probably beat you.’ I said, ‘I’m fully aware of that, but I’m here for the show and I’m here to have fun. My result doesn’t matter, your result does.’ I have set my expectations realistically, I think. Just to go there, and that’s been the great part about running the late models. I have no expectations that if I finish first, it’s fine. If I finish last, it’s fine. I’m still going to drink beer when I get done. I’m still going to have a great time. We’re going to put on a great event. The fans get to see something that they typically wouldn’t get to see. And I have no problem if I get beat. It’s not going to change anything that I do.” The Harvick-versus-Harvick clash at Kern will be a spectacle.

Kevin’s upcoming clash with his son at Bakersfield is going to be an intense fight. Competing in the CARS Tour West Pro Late Model competition, it’s not just a trophy on the line here. It’s about bragging rights in the Harvick household. Kevin will be in the No. 29 Hunt Brothers Pizza late model while his son takes the No. 62 Hunt Brothers car.

And it’s not just special because the father-son duo are going against each other. It’s a fact that the race is happening in Harvick’s hometown! “Racing Keelan in my hometown for the first time is a pretty cool dad moment. Bakersfield has meant so much in the progression of my racing career, and being able to tie that together with the beginning of Keelan’s racing career is pretty special,” Kevin said.

It’s a sentiment his son shared.”My dad has helped me so much in my short racing career. Being able to race against him for the first time is pretty cool, and it’s something we’ve talked about for a long time. I hope I come out on top, because if not, he won’t stop bragging about it.” 

Mamba Smith replied, “I’m very proud of you for taking that approach.” Harvick reflected, “I’ve never been able to, since I raced go-karts as a kid, I have not been able to race for fun and not have the results matter… And then the day that I got out of the car at Phoenix, it’s like, okay, what can I do to have fun better? Because my result doesn’t matter anymore. It really does not matter.” Well, Harvick is making the most out of it. Just a few days ago, Kevin took his son and daughter to the karting track.

For now, maybe Kevin can take a page out of another NASCAR legend’s book.

Kyle Busch had a battle similar to Kevin Harvick

On a crisp evening at Millbridge Speedway in March earlier this year, the air was electric with anticipation. NASCAR legend Kyle Busch, a two-time Cup Series champion, lined up against his 9-year-old son, Brexton, for their first-ever head-to-head race in the Beginner Box Stock division. It was a moment that had fans on the edge of their seats, witnessing a father and son share the track in a battle that was as much about love as it was about competition.

“I wouldn’t say it’s surreal. It’s just we kind of knew this day was coming,” Kyle Busch said of facing off against his son in a pre-race interview on the DirtVision social media channels. “I wouldn’t say it was necessarily always circled on the calendar, it just kind of popped up.” Starting side by side with his dad, the young racer held his own, navigating the dirt track fearlessly!

“Tonight is definitely a learning lesson,” the younger Busch said prior to the race. “It’ll be very big if I can beat him on the first night.” Two cautions tested their focus, but both stayed sharp. Kyle ultimately took the checkered flag, but Brexton was right on his tail, proving he’s a force in the making.

For Kyle, the night was more than a win. It was about passing the torch. Brexton, already a standout in junior racing, showed grit and skill beyond his years. The race wasn’t just a one-off; it was a milestone in their journey, a memory etched in the dirt of Millbridge. As the crowd cheered, it was clear: this father-son duo had given racing fans a night to cherish, filled with heart, family, and the promise of a new generation chasing dreams on the track. Now, Harvick must be expecting some similar fireworks with his son.