Keelan Harvick could be ready for his first taste of national-level stock car racing.
The 14-year-old son of former NASCAR Cup Series champion Kevin Harvick is rumored to be joining Nitro Motorsports for a part-time ARCA Menards Series schedule in 2027. The move has not been officially confirmed by Nitro or Toyota, but the report has quickly caught the attention of NASCAR fans.
If it happens, it would be the latest step in what has already been a carefully managed development path for the young driver.
Harvick signed a long-term agreement with Toyota Racing Development and the Toyota Driver Development program in February 2026. The deal came as he prepared for a busy Late Model season with Rackley W.A.R. and Kevin Harvick Inc., driving the No. 62 Toyota Camry.
He was already making headlines before that agreement.
In December 2025, Harvick became the youngest winner of the Snowflake 125 at Five Flags Speedway. A few months later, he added another major Late Model victory by winning the Icebreaker at Florence Motor Speedway in February 2026.
His development has continued throughout this season, with more Late Model racing and additional stock car experience. He also made his CUBE 3 Architecture TA2 Series debut for Kevin Harvick Inc. at Virginia International Raceway in September.
Now ARCA could be next.
Why Nitro Motorsports makes sense
The rumor linking Harvick to Nitro Motorsports did not come completely out of nowhere.
The possibility was discussed on Door Bumper Clear and subsequently circulated among NASCAR and ARCA fans. The reported plan is for Harvick to run a part-time ARCA schedule in 2027, rather than immediately committing to a full season.
That would make sense for both the driver and Toyota.
Harvick turns 15 in July 2027, which would allow him to compete in select ARCA short-track and road-course events, subject to the series’ approval. A limited schedule would give him the opportunity to learn the national series without being rushed into a full campaign.
Nitro also has the kind of Toyota connection that makes the rumored move particularly interesting.
The team just secured its first ARCA Menards Series championship with Thomas Annunziata in 2026. Annunziata put together a strong season with one victory, 11 top-five finishes and 18 top-10s, giving Nitro its first series title.
The organization is also part of a broader driver-development structure connected to Toyota, which makes it a logical place for a young driver already under a Toyota development agreement.
There is another piece to the rumor involving Max Reaves.
Reaves currently drives for Joe Gibbs Racing’s ARCA operation, but JGR has announced that it will shut down its ARCA program after the 2026 season. Reports have suggested that Reaves could move to Pinnacle Racing Group, potentially creating another opening within the Toyota ARCA picture.
None of those pieces have been officially tied together yet, but they help explain why the Harvick-to-Nitro rumor has gained traction.
And Harvick’s results suggest he is not being rushed into ARCA simply because of his last name.
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