Thirteen-Year-Old Keelan Harvick Makes History as Youngest Snowflake 125 Champion

PENSACOLA, FL – In a remarkable display of burgeoning talent and sheer determination, 13-year-old Keelan Harvick etched his name into the record books by becoming the youngest-ever winner of the prestigious Snowflake 125 Pro Late Model race. The historic victory, achieved in his inaugural attempt at the event, unfolded in the early hours of Sunday morning at Five Flags Speedway, following a race that commenced deep into Saturday night due to earlier delays.

The Snowflake 125, a significant fixture on the late model racing calendar, is often seen as a prelude to the even more renowned Snowball Derby. This year’s edition saw the green flag drop around 1:30 AM local time, with Luke Baldwin, a promising young driver himself, commanding the initial lead from the pole position. Harvick, the son of 2014 NASCAR Cup Series champion Kevin Harvick, faced a considerable challenge, starting the demanding 125-lap event from the 15th position.

However, the young Harvick demonstrated a maturity and racecraft well beyond his years, steadily navigating through the highly competitive field. By Lap 40, he had firmly established himself within the top five, showcasing consistent pace and strategic overtakes. The race saw Kaden Honeycutt, the reigning champion of the Snowball Derby, emerge as a dominant force for much of the early to middle stages. Honeycutt held a strong position until the scheduled race break at Lap 75.

Following the break, the battle intensified. Harvick executed a crucial outside pass on Honeycutt on a restart, reclaiming a prominent spot. Despite a brief setback on the subsequent restart where he momentarily dropped to fourth – a situation he later attributed to an accidental engagement of second gear which momentarily bogged down his No. 62 machine – Harvick remained undeterred. He swiftly recovered the lost momentum, rejoining the lead pack and demonstrating his resilience.

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With only 25 laps remaining in the grueling contest, 15-year-old Tristan McKee, who had earlier in the year achieved an ARCA race victory in his debut, was leading the field. Harvick launched his decisive move, diving under McKee and seizing the lead. This time, the advantage proved insurmountable. Harvick held his nerve through a tense, late-race restart, skillfully managing his tires and the competition to cross the finish line victorious around 4:30 AM on Sunday.

Speaking to Flo Racing in the immediate aftermath of his monumental win, a jubilant Keelan Harvick expressed his elation. "It’s really cool," he stated. "They brought me a really fast car. Not much practice. We didn’t come down here and test. I had school, but we came down here and made it work."

The significance of this victory extended beyond the checkered flag for the young racer. Harvick articulated his pride in earning the respect of the seasoned competitors in the field. "It’s just big on earning respect from all of the veterans that are in the field," he explained. "There’s a lot of them that come to that race. Pretty much all of them. It’s just really cool that I get to earn their respect, racing clean, actually passing and not just running over people."

A unique moment occurred during the halfway break when Keelan’s father, NASCAR legend Kevin Harvick, passed him a note in the car. When asked about the content of his father’s message, Keelan responded with a characteristic grin, admitting to some difficulty in deciphering it. "I’m honestly not sure," he said. "His handwriting is pretty bad and all the ink just smeared together. I think it was something about partial throttle, but his handwriting is not that good so I’m not sure." This anecdote highlighted the father-son dynamic amidst the high-stakes racing environment.

The top finishers behind Keelan Harvick in the Snowflake 125 were Tristan McKee, who secured a commendable second place, and Kaden Honeycutt, who completed the podium in third. Isaac Kitzmiller finished fourth, followed by Luke Baldwin in fifth, rounding out the top five. The remainder of the top ten included Luke Yarborough, Jimmy Renfrew Jr., Gabe Brown, Evan Szotko, and Conner Jones, underscoring the depth of talent present at the event.

Keelan Harvick’s victory at the Snowflake 125 marks a significant milestone in his developing racing career. His ability to compete and win against experienced late model drivers at such a young age foreshadows a potentially bright future in motorsport. The event, known for its challenging nature and competitive field, has now seen a new, youngest champion crowned, setting a precedent for aspiring young racers. The performance also draws parallels to other young talents who have made early impacts in various motorsport disciplines, suggesting a trend of accelerated development and early success in the sport. The Snowflake 125, held annually at the iconic Five Flags Speedway, continues to be a proving ground for the next generation of racing stars.

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• Nascar CupJanuary 12, 2026Thirteen-Year-Old Keelan Harvick Makes History as Youngest Snowflake 125 Champion