Kevin Harvick confirms racing comeback following NASCAR retirement in 2024

Kevin Harvick is stepping out of his retirement to compete in the season-opening Super Late Model race for CARS Tour West. Scheduled for Saturday, January 25, the race will be held at the Kern Raceway, renamed after the former NASCAR Cup Series champion in 2023.

Harvick co-owns zMAX CARS Tour alongside former NASCAR driver Jeff Burton, Trackhouse Racing’s Justin Marks, and NASCAR Hall of Famer Dale Earnhardt Jr. Following his retirement from full-time racing in 2023, he joined the broadcast team for FOX Sports.

Harvick also actively mentors his son Keelan, a 12-year-old racing prodigy. In November 2024, Keelan debuted in the Limited Late Model category and delivered a commendable P8 finish with Harvick’s No. 62 Hunt Brothers Pizza Chevrolet. The father-son duo is expected to race multiple times in 2025.

Sharing an original post by CARS Tour West about his return, Harvick wrote on his X handle:

“Back behind the wheel again for the first of many this year.”

Harvick’s involvement in races like this will invigorate grassroots racing and only add to the value of the sport as a whole. Like last year, FloRacing will cover this year’s event as well.

Rackley W.A.R. joins forces with Kevin Harvick, expecting a breakthrough season

Rackley W.A.R. has partnered with Kevin Harvick Inc. (KHI) to boost its Late Model programs and find success in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series. The North Carolina-based team is known to have fielded Cup Series regulars such as William Byron, Ross Chastain, and former Stewart-Haas Racing driver Josh Berry in the past.

Adding the 60-time Cup Series winner to Rackley’s roster will only drive success, suggested team co-owner Willie Allen in an official statement. As quoted by Racing America, Allen said:

“Teaming up with Kevin Harvick is a game-changer for us at Rackley W.A.R. His experience as a champion driver and owner brings an incredible amount of knowledge that will help elevate our truck program to the next level. Having Keelan and Kevin join our Late Model team next season is just as exciting. We’re not just building a partnership—we’re building a future.”

As a part of the agreement between Rackley W.A.R. and Kevin Harvick Inc., the 49-year-old Bakersfield native will also act as a consultant to Dawson Sutton, an 18-year-old development driver with Rackley W. A.R. who is all set to run his first full-time Truck Series schedule this upcoming season in the team’s No. 25 Chevy Silverado.

The NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series will resume action on February 14 at the Daytona International Speedway. Named Fresh From Florida 250, the 100-lap race will stream live on FS1. Fans can also listen to radio updates on MRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio from 7:30 pm ET onwards.