2023’s Bullring Rookie of the Year, Keaton Harbison, is just starting on his road to success in both his #9 Bandolero and #21 Legend Car. Harbison who has always had a love for NASCAR, found his way into the driver's seat in 2023 and has made excellent strides in the motorsports world since then. Driving alongside both his father and sister, Harbison is looking to stay on top of his Bandolero game and continue to improve in Young Lions racing as he chases the 2023-24 Silver State Road Course Series Bandolero title this weekend at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.
Hometown: Las Vegas, Nevada
Age: 13
Division: Bandolero #9 & Young Lions #21
Race Team: Harbison Racing
Favorite Vacation Spot: Bahamas
Favorite Color: Dark Blue
Favorite Movie: The Sandlot
Favorite Food: Chicken Alfredo
1. What got you started in racing?
I grew up always liking racing and watching NASCAR a lot. When I went to the Southern Nationals, I watched them race over there so when we moved out here to Vegas when I was 12, me and my dad just felt like we wanted to have something to do so my dad bought me and him race cars and we started learning and along the way found the right people to help us out.
2. What does it mean to have a dad who knows the world of racing and can do it with you?
It’s fun because he can tell me how to improve since he’s also racing in Legend Cars. Basically, whenever we go back to our circle track seasons, I get to race with him since all the Legends race at the same time. It’s fun to have a little father-son competition.
3. What is the reasoning behind your #9 Bandolero and #21 Legends Car?
Number nine has been my favorite number since I was a little kid and the Legends car was already number 21 when we bought the car but we do plan on changing the number soon, probably to a number nine as well.
4. How do you balance racing both of the cars with their many differences?
Normally, with the Bando, it’s pretty simple you just go. Right now with the Silver State Road Course Series, I’m here to try and win in Bandos and really learn the Legend more. I’m not really too much worried about the Legend right now. I’m just trying to get seat time and figure out how to drive it but for the [Bullring], we’re really trying to win the title.
5. With your sister starting to race Bandos too, how does it feel to be there for her?
It’s fun because now I get to race my dad in the Legend while I get to race my sister in the Bandos and it’s like a family business is getting started.
6. How is the competitiveness within your household now?
It gets a little competitive back at home when we are just all talking about how we can improve but at the track, we normally leave each other alone unless there is something we can do to help each other.
7. What is the biggest challenge you’ve had to overcome in racing so far?
Whenever I was new starting with the Bando, I just had to trust other people and not try to follow others and just stick to the line and what I know.
8. Outside of racing, what do you like to do for fun?
I used to play baseball so every now and then I’ll go swing the bat or play with a wiffle ball. I also like to go play basketball with my friends at the park or go on bike rides.
9. How do you find the balance between being a normal kid with your friends while finding time on the track?
I met all of my friends at public school but now that I’ve made the switch to online school (Speed U) it is a little harder. I still have all of their numbers and we text and call and try to meet up.
10. What has been your favorite racing memory so far? What was that feeling like?
Probably winning Rookie of the Year for the Bullring in the Bandolero in 2023. I was kind of surprised about it because I didn’t think that I had the best performance but I also learned a lot throughout that season and started finishing higher and higher and started getting a few wins towards the end of the season.
11. What is your favorite track to race on?
Probably the Silver State Road Course Series (the Las Vegas Motor Speedway outfield course). It’s much [fun] compared to doing a circle track where it’s almost the same thing at every corner and it can be hard to gain time but on the road course you could have one good corner and then one bad corner where you can make up or lose a bunch of time. It’s just a big learning experience and it’s just a lot of fun.
12. Who is your favorite driver
I actually chose number nine because I loved Chase Elliot growing up. He was just such a good driver, he was really nice and had a good fan base. He was just overall a good person.
13. What has been your favorite win so far in your career?
Either the 2023 Rookie of the Year award or the Night of the Fire the Bullring’s biggest race of the season during the Fourth of July weekend in 2023.
14. Do you have any pre-race rituals or routines before getting in the car?
I just go talk to my family real quick. I ask them where all the other people are gaining on me then as I’m rolling off everyone lines up and I give them all fist bumps.
15. Who is your biggest help when you’re out there racing?
Probably Brad Lynch with Motorhead Motorsports because he’s part of the reason why we got into all of this as well as our sponsor the Lindstrom Radcliffe Group.
16. With the new year and new season, what are your racing goals for 2024?
I want to improve in the Legend and have more fun but I also want to get the title for the Young Lion Road Course.