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Forbes
20-05-2025
- Automotive
- Forbes
It's Harvick Versus Harvick In A Showdown With No Tie And No Mercy
Kevin Harvick has spent his life racing legends. Jeff Gordon. Jimmie Johnson. Dale Earnhardt Jr. But on May 31, the 2014 NASCAR Cup champion will face his most personal challenge yet: racing his 12-year-old son Keelan, wheel to wheel, at Kern Raceway. This isn't a parade lap. No ceremonial green flag. It's a full-on late model race on the CARS Tour West stage in Bakersfield, California. One Harvick will win. The other won't. 'I never really thought I'd race him,' Kevin admits. 'That kind of evolved after I retired. I was just gonna watch him race. I didn't have any plans to get back in a car.' Turns out, plans change. Keelan, on the cusp of his teens, has quickly graduated from karting to legends cars to full-bodied stock cars, and most recently notched a podium at North Wilkesboro Speedway—racing against veterans like Josh Berry and Spencer Davis. One of Keelan's earliest racing memories was at Michigan, riding shotgun—literally—after his dad won. 'I did a burnout with him. That was a core memory for me,' Keelan says. He never imagined though he'd be racing against dad, at least not so soon. 'That was always the goal, but I didn't think I'd be racing against him this early though.' Now a full-time analyst in the FOX booth, Kevin sees the May 31 race as more than just a one-off. Sure, it's branding. It's marketing. But it's also deeply personal. 'It's a great promotional tool, not only from our branding standpoint, but for the CARS Tour in general and short-track racing. But the cool factor of racing him? That's something I never planned for— it's turned into one of the most fun things I've ever done,' Kevin says. Behind the scenes, things have shifted too. Early on, Kevin coached Keelen's every lap. 'Back in karts, it was every session. That wasn't healthy,' he admits. 'Now it's two or three things a weekend. He listens more. I talk less. It works better.' And yes, Keelan listens—but he's also started to offer critiques of his own. 'Especially when I'd come home from Cup races,' Kevin says, 'he'd go, 'What about that restart? Why'd you do that?' I'd just laugh. I hear it from the fans; I don't need to hear it from him too.' Now Keelen's his turn to be critiqued—on the track, and maybe in the household. 'I'm not nervous,' Keelan says. 'I just don't want to hit him. He said he'd kill me if I hit him, so I'll stay as far away as possible.' 'I told him if he wrecks me, he's mowing the lawn. For a year,' Kevin adds with a smirk. They joke, but the tone shifts when it comes to accountability. 'He's been around this his whole life. He knows what we expect,' Kevin says. 'Racing or school, it's all the same. Put in the effort. Do the work. You can have fun, but you've got to bring the focus when it's time.' And Keelan's not the only Harvick kid getting the racing itch. Piper Harvick, she turns eight in December, is gearing up to follow the same tire tracks. 'She just had her last soccer game. She told me she's racing as soon as it's over. Said she needs more horsepower,' Kevin laughs. 'She's been my motivation to get back into shape.' That shape? 'Booth shape,' Kevin calls it. 'I got back in my kart and realized—I'm in TV shape, not racing shape. I've got four or five weeks to fix that.' At Kern, Kevin trades the mic for a helmet and the tie for a fire suit. 'I love being in the FOX booth, but I'm excited to put the fire suit back on,' Kevin said. 'Especially for this. It's Bakersfield, it's my hometown, my whole family will be there. His cousins, my sister. We'll probably end up at a pool party after the race.' Asked what happens if Keelan wins, Kevin doesn't blink. 'If he beats me, we're doing something right. That's a good thing. I'll put it in so deep into turn one the next time that he gets tired of hearing about it.' Keelan grins. 'Same here. If I beat him, I'll talk about it every day.' The bet? Mostly bragging rights. 'He doesn't like getting beat,' Keelan says. 'So I'd definitely bring it up.' They're quick with the wit, but they're also absolutely serious about the long-term plan. Kevin knows exactly what it takes to climb the ladder. As head of KHI Management, he's not just grooming a driver—he's building the entire support system. 'If it turns into Trucks, Xfinity—whatever—it's all doable,' he says. 'We've got the people. Some have been with me for over 20 years. We know the right paths, the right partners. If he wants it, we're ready.' That's the future. For now, it's about one night. One race. One very fast family reunion under the lights at Kern. And regardless of who crosses the finish line first, the true victory lies in the legacy being forged—a testament to passion, perseverance, and the unbreakable bond between father and son. Oh—and for the record—it's officially called Kevin Harvick's Kern Raceway. The track was renamed in 2023 by new owners to honor Harvick, a proud Bakersfield native. But if Keelan wins, someone may want to start making room on the sign.
Yahoo
16-05-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
NASCAR Friday schedule at North Wilkesboro Speedway
NASCAR All-Star Race festivities will get under way Friday at North Wilkesboro Speedway with practice and qualifying on the 0.625-mile oval. The opening session will include the 20 cars locked into Sunday's main event and the 18 cars trying to transfer from the All-Star Open. The qualifying session for the Open will begin at 6:10 p.m., immediately followed by All-Star Race qualifying. Advertisement The All-Star Race pole-sitter will start first in Saturday's first heat race and the main event Sunday. The Pit Crew Challenge will be contested with a four-tire pit stop during qualifying that also will determine pit selection for the All-Star Race. The Friday program will conclude with a 100-lap CARS Tour race. AUTO: APR 26 NASCAR Cup Series Jack Link's 500 Kyle Larson to skip heat race at North Wilkesboro for Indy 500 qualifying Justin Allgaier will practice and qualify Kyle Larson's car ahead of Larson driving it in Sunday's All-Star Race. All-Star Race schedule at North Wilkesboro (All Times Eastern) Friday, May 16 Garage open 10:30 a.m. - 8:30 p.m. — Cup 11 a.m. - 4 p.m. — Truck Series Track activity Advertisement 5:05 - 5:50 p.m. — Cup practice (FS2, MRN) 6:05 - 6:45p.m. — Cup Open qualifying (FS1, MRN) 7 - 8 p.m. — Cup All-Star Race qualifying/Pit Crew Challenge (FS1, MRN) 8:15 p.m. — CARS Tour race (100 laps, FS1, Flo Racing)Weather Friday: Cloudy with a stray shower or thunderstorm possible. A high of 86 degrees and winds from the west-southwest at 5 to 10 mph.
NBC Sports
16-05-2025
- Automotive
- NBC Sports
NASCAR Friday schedule at North Wilkesboro Speedway
NASCAR All-Star Race festivities will get under way Friday at North Wilkesboro Speedway with practice and qualifying on the 0.625-mile oval. The opening session will include the 20 cars locked into Sunday's main event and the 18 cars trying to transfer from the All-Star Open. The qualifying session for the Open will begin at 6:10 p.m., immediately followed by All-Star Race qualifying. The All-Star Race pole-sitter will start first in Saturday's first heat race and the main event Sunday. The Pit Crew Challenge will be contested with a four-tire pit stop during qualifying that also will determine pit selection for the All-Star Race. The Friday program will conclude with a 100-lap CARS Tour race. Dustin Long, All-Star Race schedule at North Wilkesboro (All Times Eastern) Friday, May 16 Garage open 10:30 a.m. - 8:30 p.m. — Cup 11 a.m. - 4 p.m. — Truck Series Track activity 5:05 - 5:50 p.m. — Cup practice (FS2, MRN) 6:05 - 6:45p.m. — Cup Open qualifying (FS1, MRN) 7 - 8 p.m. — Cup All-Star Race qualifying/Pit Crew Challenge (FS1, MRN) 8:15 p.m. — CARS Tour race (100 laps, FS1, Flo Racing)Weather Friday: Cloudy with a stray shower or thunderstorm possible. A high of 86 degrees and winds from the west-southwest at 5 to 10 mph.
NBC Sports
15-05-2025
- Automotive
- NBC Sports
All-Star Race North Wilkesboro weekend schedule, TV info for NASCAR Cup and Truck
The NASCAR All-Star Race returns to North Wilkesboro Speedway for the third consecutive year with a few new wrinkles in the race format and schedule at the 0.625-mile oval in North Carolina. Cup cars will be on track for practice and qualifying Friday, two heat races to set the main event field Saturday and then the Open and All-Star Race will be Sunday night. The main event will feature a 'promoter's caution' that can be thrown ahead of Lap 220 of 250. A new 'Manufacturer Showdown' will pit Chevrolet, Ford and Toyota in a battle for the best combined overall finish in the All-Star Race. The Pit Crew Challenge also will be held during qualifying Friday and determine pit selection for Sunday's 250-lap main event. Nate Ryan, Joey Logano is the defending winner of the All-Star Race. Kyle Larson won the 2023 inaugural All-Star Race at North Wilkesboro. The CARS Tour, Camping World Truck Series and Whelen Modified Tour also will be racing at North Wilkesboro this weekend. Dustin Long, All-Star Race schedule at North Wilkesboro (All Times Eastern) Friday, May 16 Garage open 10:30 a.m. - 8:30 p.m. — Cup 11 a.m. - 4 p.m. — Truck Series Track activity 5:05 - 5:50 p.m. — Cup practice (FS2, MRN) 6:10 - 6:50 p.m. — Cup Open qualifying (FS1, MRN) 7:05 - 8 p.m. — Cup All-Star Race qualifying/Pit Crew Challenge (FS1, MRN) 8:15 p.m. — CARS Tour race (100 laps, FS1, Flo Racing) Saturday, May 17 8 a.m. - 6:30 p.m. — Truck Series 1:30 - 7:30 p.m. — Cup 9:35 - 10:30 a.m. — Truck practice (FS2) 10:35 - 11:30 a.m. — Truck qualifying (FS2) 1:30 p.m. — Truck race (250 laps, 156.25 miles, Stage 1 at Lap 70, Stage 2 at Lap 140; FS1, MRN, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio) 5:10 p.m. — All-Star Race Heat 1 (75 laps, 46.875 miles, FS2, MRN, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio) 6:15 p.m. — All-Star Race Heat 2 (75 laps, 46.875 miles, FS2, MRN, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio) Sunday, May 18 7 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. — Whelen Modified Tour 2 - 11:55 p.m. — Cup 10:15 - 10:45 a.m. — Whelen Modified Tour practice 10:55 - 11:25 a.m. — Whelen Modified Tour practice 12:45 - 1:15 p.m. — Whelen Modified Tour qualifying 2 p.m. — Whelen Modified Tour race (150 laps, 93.75 miles, Flo Racing, MRN, SiriusXM NASCAR) 5:30 p.m. — All-Star Open (100 laps, 62.5 miles, FS1, MRN, SiriusXM NASCAR) 8 p.m. — All-Star Race (250 laps, 156.25 miles, FS1, MRN, SiriusXM NASCAR) Weekend weather Friday: Cloudy with a stray shower or thunderstorm possible. A high of 86 degrees and winds from the west-southwest at 5 to 10 mph. Saturday: Cloudy with a stray shower or thunderstorm possible. A high of 85 degrees and winds from the west-southwest at 10 to 20 mph. It's expected to be 82 degrees with a 15% chance of rain at the start of the Truck race. It's expected to be partly cloudy with a high of 82 degrees and a 15% chance of rain at the start of the first of the two Cup heat races. Sunday: Mostly cloudy with a high of 84 degrees and winds from the west at 5 to 10 mph. It's expected to be 75 degrees with a 1% chance of rain at the start of the All-Star Race.
Yahoo
21-04-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Doug Barnes wins the Triple Memorial 200 on Dominion Raceway's 'Night at the Races'
WOODFORD, Va. — A smashed watermelon that was triumphantly slammed from the roof of his car, an Advance Auto Parts victory cap placed upon his head and three separate trophies in his hands set a much better scene for Doug Barnes Jr. at the Triple Memorial 200 at Dominion Raceway on Saturday night. A week removed from a viral ride into the Cordele Motor Speedway melon patch during a CARS Tour race, Barnes returned to his home track to complete a three-peat. Advertisement Previously titled the Dickie Boswell 200, the Triple Memorial 200 was renamed to honor the late Boswell, Roy Hendrick and Blake Morris on one special night. As the winner of both the inaugural and second annual race, Barnes' win Saturday night was his third in the three-year history of the event. 'It means a lot to win this race. I have a lot of respect for all three guys we are racing for,' Barnes said from Bugsy Auto Repair Victory Lane. 'I was feeling pretty confident when I saw there was no watermelon patch here.' AirDoug qualified on the pole, beating last year's Dominion Raceway late model track champion Landon Pembelton by a mere two hundredths of a second. However, it was Pembelton who dominated the early stages of the race. Advertisement The No. 0 of Pembelton led the first 87 laps before Mason Bailey passed him for the lead. Bailey was the halfway leader, but when the cars restarted after the Lap 100 break, Pembelton regained the lead. On Lap 125, Barnes passed Bailey for second, and on Lap 147, calamity struck for Pembelton. The No. 0 cut a right-front tire in Turn 3 while leading and slammed the wall, ending his night. 'I am not sure if I was able to chase Landon down; I don't know if I would have had enough time. He definitely had the car to beat,' Barnes said. 'I would never wish misfortune on someone like that, especially a hard contact like that, because I've hit this wall before, and it is hard.' With the dominant car on the tow truck, the adventure was just beginning for Barnes and the other competitors. Advertisement On Lap 161, the No. 88 also had a right front tire issue and pulled to a stop on the backstretch, bringing out a caution. Barnes' team changed the tire, and Conner Weddell assumed the lead in his late model debut. On the subsequent restart, Trenton Kilgore passed Weddell, but while jockeying for the lead, Weddell and Kilgore made heavy contact. Weddell's car was destroyed, and Kilgore's car was spun in the other direction. Doug Barnes Jr. When the dust settled, Cameron Burke was the leader, and Barnes needed seven laps to chase him down. With 17 to go, Barnes took the lead for good. 'Right when I thought it might've been easy, I cut my own right front,' Barnes said. 'I came in, and they docked me a lap, and then Conner and the white car got into it, and we got the lap right back, but then we didn't get to start in the front, because we are the lucky dog and had to run the leader down by a straightaway. It was probably one of the weirdest wins I've ever had. Advertisement 'The previous two years, we had the car to beat, and our strategy played out the way we needed. Tonight we were thrown one hundred curve balls, and we hit the right one.' Barnes will return to Dominion when the CARS Tour runs the Mini's Mission 225 on June 14. He is currently tied for fourth in points for the CARS Tour late model standings, and they are heading into the part of the schedule where they visit tracks he has prior experience racing. 'We are hitting the summer stretch and going to tracks that I have personally been to before like Orange County this weekend and then Ace and North Wilkesboro,' Barnes said. While he may get his first CARS Tour win in the Lee Pulliam Performance machine beforehand, Barnes has his return to Dominion Raceway circled. Advertisement 'When it comes to coming back here, we will be on the F45 Stars, so I don't know how that is gonna go. That's probably gonna be all out for 225 laps,' he said. 'This is a good confidence booster after driving it into the watermelon patch last week. 'We are gonna get on it; I am excited to come back with Lee [Pulliam] and everybody.' In other Advance Auto Parts Night at the Races racing action, Penelope Carlisle got her first home-track win in the Bandos, while Miles Murray and Charlie Beals split INEX Legends wins. Richard Powers got his first win of the season on the Dominion Stocks, and the Any Cars race saw James Johnson win in the 6cyl class and Michael Pifer in the 8cyl class.
