Keelan Harvick Will Race in ARCA Series in 2027

The 13-year-old rising talent is set to compete part time for Nitro Motorsports in the ARCA Menards Series.

Updated on Oct. 6, 2026 in Motorsports

Keelan Harvick Will Race in ARCA Series in 2027

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Keelan Harvick, who has built a strong record in Late Model racing, is expected to make his ARCA Menards Series debut in 2027. He will race on a part-time schedule for the Nitro Motorsports team following a successful tenure driving the No. 62 Toyota.

Why it matters

This move marks the next step in Harvick's career development, as he shifts from Pro Late Models into one of the primary developmental series for stock car racing. His progression comes after a long-term agreement signed with Toyota Racing Development in 2026.

Harvick enters the ARCA series with a proven track record, including four wins in the 2025 zMAX CARS Tour Pro Late Model ranks and two additional CARS Tour West victories. He also secured major wins at the Snowflake 125, the Icebreaker, and Kevin Harvick's Kern Raceway.

The players

Keelan Harvick

He is a 13-year-old rising driver who has progressed from karting to Late Models.

Nitro Motorsports

This is the racing team expected to field the No. 62 Toyota for Harvick in 2027.

Toyota Racing Development

This organization supports professional racing efforts and signed a long-term agreement with Harvick in 2026.

The details

After beginning his racing journey in go-karts at age seven, Harvick moved through the ranks of Bandoleros and Legends before transitioning to full-time Late Model racing in 2025. He has recently solidified his standing by winning at high-profile venues including Five Flags Speedway and Las Vegas Motor Speedway while representing Toyota.

Timeline

  1. Keelan Harvick began his racing career with go-karts in 2020.

  2. Harvick started his first full season in Late Models in 2025.

  3. He won the Icebreaker at Florence Motor Speedway in February 2026.

  4. Harvick earned a victory at Kevin Harvick's Kern Raceway in May 2026.

  5. He is expected to debut in the ARCA Menards Series in 2027.

The Big Picture

Harvick's transition follows the established pattern of using the ARCA Menards Series as a critical proving ground for prospects graduating from Late Models.

Harvick's part-time schedule means fans will see him in select ARCA Menards Series entries throughout the 2027 season rather than a full championship run. His development in the No. 62 Toyota will provide a measurable indicator of his readiness for higher-level national stock car competition.

The takeaway

Harvick represents a new generation of racers leveraging early experience in Pro Late Models to secure factory-backed development deals. His 2027 season will be a crucial test of whether these lower-tier successes translate to the heavier and faster cars found in the ARCA series.

Further reading

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Do you believe early entry into professional racing series benefits young drivers' development?