Kevin Harvick Shines in Kern Raceway Comeback, Finishes Runner-Up in CARS Tour West Season Opener
Author: Luis Garcia
Date: January 28, 2025
Kevin Harvick may have stepped back from full-time NASCAR competition, but the 2014 Cup Series champion reminded everyone why he’s a racing icon with an impressive return to action at the SoundGear 400 at Kern Raceway. Competing in the opening round of the 2025 CARS Tour West Super Late Model season, Harvick delivered a vintage performance, finishing second in the 125-lap showdown, narrowly missing out on victory to Dawson Sutton.
Racing at Kern County Raceway Park—a track he owns in his hometown of Bakersfield, California—Harvick piloted the Hendrick Motorsports-backed No. 29 car. The 49-year-old thrilled the crowd by taking the lead on Lap 23 and holding it through multiple restarts, showcasing the talent and tenacity that defined his NASCAR career.
The turning point came on Lap 92, when Sutton, Harvick’s Rackley WAR teammate, made a decisive move after a restart. Despite Harvick’s efforts to close the gap, Sutton held him off to secure the win, finishing half a second ahead of the veteran racer.
Harvick reflected on the weekend with pride, posting on X:
“What a weekend! I can’t thank the fans, sponsors, and every single employee enough for making this event so special. Racing hard against @dawsonsutton26 was an absolute blast, and I’m proud to come home with P2. It’s events like this that remind me why I love this sport. Here’s to putting West Coast racing back on the map!”
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