Keelan Harvick, the son of soon-to-be NASCAR Hall of Famer Kevin Harvick, is taking on a new challenge this weekend. He is making his debut in the Toyota GR Cup at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway road course.
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Keelan, 14, is driving for RAFA Racing Team in the one-make series featuring race cars built in Mooresville, North Caroline. This team currently fields entries for Toyota development driver Westin Workman, a series champion who has since graduated to Pirelli GT4 America.
Though Workman has been around for Keelan's test sessions to provide information and feedback when needed.
This opportunity comes after Keelan signed a long-term development deal with Toyota back in February. This deal included a partnership with Rackley W.A.R., as well as a schedule filled with numerous Late Model races.
The busy schedule at Indianapolis Motor Speedway began with a test session on Oct. 7. Keelan drove the No. 812 GR86 while getting acclimated to the car and the road course.
Photo credit: Gazoo Racing USA
His best time was 1:42.948, putting him slightly behind TV personality Rutledge Wood in the Legends Class at 1:42.749.
The official practice and qualifying sessions happened on Oct. 9. Keelan had the fourth-fastest time during Practice No. 1 at 1:40.360, but he qualified 19th.
This qualifying time will put Keelan on the ninth row for the start of Race No. 1 on Oct. 10 (9 a.m. ET). He will line up next to Slater Colby from Copeland Motorsports.
Qualifying for Race No. 2 will happen on Sunday, Oct. 11, at 9:05 a.m. ET. The final race of the weekend will then happen at 12:35 p.m. ET.
This debut in the Toyota GR Cup North America does not mean that Keelan is automatically moving into the sportscar series next future. At this time, it's an opportunity for him to broaden his racing horizons.
Although the 14-year-old racer has noted that he's open to coming back to the series in the future.
"I hope they invite me back," Harvick told SportsCar 365 when asked about his future. "I'm just trying to do the best I can and have a lot of fun."
