Kevin Harvick Will Race at Five Flags Speedway
The NASCAR legend is set to compete in Pensacola during the Busch Light Night of Champions this September.
Updated on Sept. 24, 2026 in Motorsports
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Kevin Harvick and his son Keelan Harvick will compete at Five Flags Speedway in Pensacola on September 26, 2026. The racing duo will participate in the Busch Light Night of Champions, which serves as the final Blizzard Series race of the season.
Why it matters
Harvick is entering the field to compete for a spot in the upcoming Snowball Derby. He is stepping in to replace driver William Sawalich, who is unable to attend due to a scheduling conflict.
Harvick boasts 60 Cup Series victories and won the 2014 NASCAR Cup Series Championship alongside a 2007 Daytona 500 title. He was recently elected to the NASCAR Hall of Fame Class of 2027.
The players
Kevin Harvick
He is a decorated professional race car driver who won the 2014 NASCAR Cup Series Championship and is a member of the NASCAR Hall of Fame Class of 2027.
Keelan Harvick
He is a rising racer who will join his father Kevin Harvick in competition at the upcoming event in Pensacola.
William Sawalich
He is a professional driver who will be replaced by Kevin Harvick for this race due to a scheduling conflict.
Five Flags Speedway
It is a prominent short-track racing venue located in Pensacola, Florida, known for hosting high-stakes events like the Snowball Derby.
The details
The event features the final race of the three-part Blizzard Series at the Pensacola track. Kevin Harvick will pilot the car typically driven by William Sawalich as he seeks to qualify for the prestigious Snowball Derby event.
Timeline
The Busch Light Night of Champions is scheduled for September 26, 2026.
Racing at the speedway is set to begin at 7:30 p.m.
Season Trajectory
The Busch Light Night of Champions serves as the critical final Blizzard Series race of the season. Participation in this event helps set the competitive field for the upcoming Snowball Derby, a signature milestone on the short-track calendar.
Harvick’s entry adds a major competitor to the Blizzard Series field, directly impacting the qualification math for drivers hoping to secure a spot in the Snowball Derby. Fans can expect heightened competition as the field narrows for the season finale.
The takeaway
Harvick’s return to the track underscores the enduring draw of short-track racing for veteran professionals looking to challenge themselves. Fans should monitor the qualifying results closely to see how the addition of a Hall of Fame driver alters the parity of the series.
Further reading
Learn more about the local racing circuit in the Motorsports section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by WEAR.
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