Kevin Harvick isn’t just a NASCAR legend; he’s an icon in motorsports. With a 2014 Cup Series championship, more than 60 career wins, and a reputation as one of NASCAR’s most consistent and accomplished drivers, Harvick’s legacy is untouchable. Yet, a seemingly innocuous moment during a Carolina Panthers game has ignited outrage among NASCAR fans, who feel their beloved sport—and one of its greatest champions—was disrespected.
The Incident: Harvicks Overlooked at Panthers Game
It all started innocently enough. During a Panthers game, Kevin Harvick and his 12-year-old son Keelan Harvick, a rising motorsports star, were spotted in the stands. Panthers safety Sam Franklin Jr., who clearly recognized the Harvicks, stopped to share an elaborate, choreographed handshake with Keelan. The wholesome moment was captured on video and shared by the NFL’s official social media account with the caption:
“Sam Franklin Jr. has an incredible handshake with this young fan 💙.”
The problem? That “young fan” happens to be the son of a NASCAR champion, with Kevin Harvick himself visible in the background—yet the post made no mention of their identity. NASCAR fans were not amused. To them, this wasn’t just a harmless oversight—it was emblematic of NASCAR’s struggle to maintain cultural relevance in an NFL-dominated sports landscape.
The Fan Outrage
The NFL’s social media post quickly went viral, but the narrative shifted from celebrating a cute moment to questioning the glaring omission of Kevin Harvick’s name. NASCAR’s official account responded with a subtle dig:
“We know them! 🤔🧩 @KevinHarvick | @KeelanHarvick.”
Fans, however, weren’t as subtle. Social media lit up with criticism:
- “That ‘young fan’ is almost certainly going to be a NASCAR star in 10 years. His dad is the 2014 champ and is just casually hanging out in the background. The NASCAR erasure is bleak, bros.”
- “NASCAR so irrelevant the NFL admin posted Kevin Harvick, the [expletive] 2014 Cup Series champ, like he’s just some nobody at a game. That’s crazy dawg.”
For NASCAR fans, this incident wasn’t just about the Harvicks—it was a reflection of NASCAR’s waning prominence in American sports culture. The fact that a legend like Kevin Harvick could be overlooked so easily felt like a slap in the face.
Keelan Harvick: NASCAR’s Future Star
The irony of the NFL’s oversight is that Keelan Harvick, far from being “just a fan,” is on a trajectory to follow in his father’s footsteps. At just 12 years old, Keelan has already made a name for himself in motorsports, winning championships in karting, the INEX Young Lions Asphalt series, and excelling in Late Model racing. He’s poised to become a future NASCAR star, with Kevin Harvick mentoring him every step of the way.
A Bigger Issue: NASCAR’s Cultural Relevance
This incident underscores a larger problem: NASCAR’s diminishing visibility in mainstream sports culture. In the 1990s and early 2000s, NASCAR was a juggernaut, rivaling the NFL in TV ratings and fan engagement. But over the years, changes in format, declining viewership, and a crowded sports landscape have chipped away at its prominence.
While NASCAR still boasts a passionate fan base and thrilling competition, moments like this remind fans of the sport’s struggle to maintain its place in the cultural zeitgeist. For Kevin Harvick—one of NASCAR’s all-time greats—to be treated as an anonymous bystander at an NFL game was a bitter pill for fans to swallow.
The Harvick Legacy
For the Harvicks, this was likely just another day at the game. Kevin Harvick himself stayed classy, simply retweeting the video and tagging his son, the Panthers, and the NFL. But for NASCAR fans, this moment was a call to arms—a reminder of the respect they believe their sport and its stars deserve.
As NASCAR looks to rebuild its cultural footprint, it will need to capitalize on moments like these, leveraging the legacy of legends like Kevin Harvick and the potential of future stars like Keelan Harvick. For now, though, one thing is clear: the Harvicks are far more than “just some fans.” They’re NASCAR royalty—and it’s time the rest of the sports world recognized it.