The Battle for Wilkesboro: A Championship Showdown
In a thrilling display of racing prowess, Keelan Harvick emerged victorious at North Wilkesboro, claiming the CARS Pro Late Model Tour championship race. But this victory wasn't just about one driver; it sparked a double celebration as Ben Maier secured the drivers' championship, and Rick Ware Racing (RWR) took home the owners' championship.
The race started with Luke Baldwin, driving the iconic No. 51 for RWR, leading from pole position, closely followed by Keelan. However, a mechanical issue early on forced Kevin Harvick out of contention, leaving the door wide open for Keelan to claim another Harvick Cup win.
Baldwin dominated the race, leading every lap until the final stretch. With just 11 laps remaining, Keelan made a daring move on the inside of turns three and four, passing Baldwin and claiming the lead. It was a side-by-side battle for three laps, but Keelan's precision and skill prevailed, earning him the checkered flag.
This win marked Keelan's fourth of the year and an impressive third in a row. In his own words, "It was really fun battling with Luke. He's an incredible competitor, and I'm grateful to my Rackley W.A.R. team for providing me with such a fast car. Being a part of this track's history is truly special."
Keelan's success can be attributed to his ability to find an optimal groove on the bottom of turns three and four, giving him the extra speed needed to overtake Baldwin. "I found a line that hooked perfectly around the corner, and that's what gave me the edge. We were evenly matched in turns one and two, but I could wrap the line just a bit better than him in three and four."
Despite his young age, Keelan displays remarkable maturity on the track, a quality he credits to his competitors and his dad. "Racing against skilled drivers like Luke and others has taught me so much. Learning from their expertise has helped me excel."
And what about Kevin Harvick's take on his son's success? He adds humorously, "He knows his dad will kick his ass if he runs someone over on purpose!"
Maier's Championship Journey
As Maier took the green flag for the 100-lap race, he clinched the drivers' championship. Finishing fourth, just behind the leaders, was enough to secure the title over Brandon Lopez. Maier's consistency, with seven top-ten finishes and only two DNFs, proved crucial in his championship run.
Maier expressed his gratitude, saying, "The team worked tirelessly to get me here, and the car was incredibly fast. We struggled a bit on high-grip tracks, but on older pavement, we were dominant. We had strong performances at Ace, Caraway, and Anderson, but unfortunate incidents like wrecks prevented us from claiming a win."
"Getting a championship is definitely better than a win. My first Pro race win at Cordele was a huge achievement, and the competition was top-notch. Not winning in the CARS Tour is disappointing, but these things happen. Overall, it's been a fantastic season."
Maier credits his Setzer Racing Development team for helping him adapt quickly to Late Model racing, despite his limited experience. "Gaining experience in oval racing has been amazing. I've learned so much about race craft and various aspects of oval racing that I couldn't have learned elsewhere. I'm incredibly grateful for this opportunity."
As for his plans for 2026, Maier is still working on finalizing them, acknowledging the challenges of funding.
Rick Ware Racing's Owners' Championship
Even though Baldwin lost the lead late in the race, finishing second, it was more than enough to secure the owners' championship for RWR. The team's consistent performance, with three wins throughout the season, played a pivotal role.
Baldwin, who won at Orange County and Anderson, and Carson Ware, who won at Ace, were instrumental in RWR's success. Baldwin expressed his gratitude to Rick Ware and Lisa Ware for the opportunity to race for RWR, praising the team's badassery and the exceptional race cars they provided.
"I felt a lot of pressure after qualifying because I knew our car was exceptional, and it was up to me not to mess it up. I did enough to get the job done, but unfortunately, I gave it away to Keelan. It's a special feeling, and the pressure was immense, more than I've felt in the past two years of racing. I'm glad we came out on top."
Rick Ware was ecstatic about the championship win, acknowledging the extreme competitiveness of the series. "Winning a championship at this level is not easy. We struggled in the first quarter of the season, but we learned and adapted. Coming into this race, we were only four points ahead, so it was anyone's game until the last lap."
Early on, it was uncertain if RWR would race the full season, but things fell into place, allowing them to finish the year with multiple drivers.
"We started with just a race or two, and our program and car choices evolved. We didn't get our FURY chassis until later in the season. We had to make decisions based on driver availability, and we found the right fit with Harrison Burton, Cody Ware, and Luke Baldwin."
Ware is excited about the team's prospects for next year, aiming for a full-time car in the CARS Pro Late Model Tour and potentially a second part-time car.
"We've had interest from potential sponsors, and we're considering running a second car part-time as an all-star car. We'll be here next year, and we need to step up our game to match this year's success. We don't take anything for granted, and we want to continue winning races and chasing championships across various racing disciplines."
The full finishing results can be viewed below, showcasing the exciting battle for positions at North Wilkesboro Speedway on October 18, 2025.
zMAX CARS Pro Late Model Tour
North Wilkesboro Speedway
October 18, 2025
- #62 Keelan Harvick
- #51 Luke Baldwin
- #44 Conner Jones
- #6 Ben Maier
- #6L Brandon Lopez
- #61 Evan McKnight
- #68 Aidan Potter
- #88 T.J. DeCaire
- #17J Jake Johnson
- #7 Treyten Lapcevich
- #24 Jade Avedisian
- #25 Isaac Kitzmiller
- #97 Dylan Garner
- #22 Dusty Garus
- #8C Terri Crider
- #47 Tyler Reif
- #74 Rodney Dowless
- #4 Trey Burke
- #9 Ashton Higgins
- #82 Taylor Hull
- #97K Jason Kitzmiller
- #17M Taylor Mayhew
- #29 Kevin Harvick
