CARS Tour West and Spears Manufacturing Renew Entitlement Partnership in Multi-Year Agreement

Kevin Harvick's race to the NASCAR Hall of Fame in Charlotte is officially on.

Harvick was one of the 15 people named as nominees for induction into the NASCAR Hall of Fame as part of the Class of 2027 on Sunday. He learned the news during FOX Sports' pre-race broadcast ahead of the Cook Out 400. NASCAR Vice Chairman Mike Helton remarked that Harvick's inclusion on the ballot "wasn't a surprise to anybody."

"That's a lot of fun," Harvick said when he learned of the news. "These guys always set me up for stuff like that, but it means a lot. You know I love this sport and everything that I got to go through was up and down. But it's what I love, and to be a part of that is something special."

BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (Aug. 28, 2025) – CARS Tour West, the premier stock car series of the West Coast, and Spears Manufacturing announced today a multi-year partnership agreement renewing Spears as the series’ entitlement partner for 2026 and beyond. Spears CARS Tour West officials also confirmed a 15-race schedule for 2026, kicking off at Tucson Speedway with the 13th Annual Chilly Willy 150 (Jan. 17, 2026). The remaining events will be unveiled at a later date.   Founded by West Coast Stock Car Hall of Famer Wayne Spears and his wife, Connie, Spears Manufacturing is recognized globally for its superior designs, innovation, and the manufacturing and distribution of the highest quality plastic piping products made in the USA.   “For decades, Wayne and Connie were committed to West Coast racing, and we want to carry on that same level of dedication and enthusiasm with the Spears CARS Tour West,” said series co-owner Kevin Harvick. “These racers deserve a stable and competitive series to showcase their talents. Partnering with Spears puts us on the right track, and I’m excited about what’s ahead. The fan support and turnout for this series has been tremendous.”    The Spears name has been a staple of West Coast racing since 1987. Based in Sylmar, Calif., Spears Manufacturing first partnered with the CARS Tour West earlier this year, although its relationship with Harvick, a native of Bakersfield, Calif., dates to 1995. Harvick began as a mechanic and later became a driver for Spears Motorsports, earning multiple wins and the 1998 Winston West championship with the team.   “We are proud to extend our title sponsorship of the CARS Tour West,” said Matt Baker, Vice President of Sales Operations for Spears Manufacturing Company. “This is a fitting way for Spears Manufacturing to support the passion both Wayne and Connie Spears have had for short-track racing on the West Coast since the 1980s. This series showcases premier events and provides an opportunity for the talented drivers in the West to reach race fans throughout the country.”   Co-owned by Harvick and Tim Huddleston, the Spears CARS Tour West features multiple racing divisions, including Super Late Models, Pro Late Models, Limited Late Models and Legend Cars. Four races remain on its 2025 schedule before the season concludes at Kevin Harvick’s Kern Raceway on Saturday, Nov. 15. All events will be live streamed on FloRacing.  

Kevin Harvick has spent his life racing legends. Jeff Gordon. Jimmie Johnson. Dale Earnhardt Jr. But on May 31, the 2014 NASCAR Cup champion will face his most personal challenge yet: racing his 12-year-old son Keelan, wheel to wheel, at Kern Raceway.

This isn’t a parade lap. No ceremonial green flag. It’s a full-on late model race on the CARS Tour West stage in Bakersfield, California. One Harvick will win. The other won’t.

“I never really thought I’d race him,” Kevin admits. “That kind of evolved after I retired. I was just gonna watch him race. I didn’t have any plans to get back in a car.”