Eiki Koga To Make NASCAR Jr. Late Model Debut

Youngest Japanese Driver With Wilson Motorsports At Madera Speedway

 

Ten-year-old Japanese driver Eiki Koga will make his race debut in the 51FIFTY Jr. Late Model  on March 14 at Madera Speedway, supported by Wilson Motorsports, as he begins his journey toward achieving his dream of becoming a NASCAR Cup Series driver.

 

In addition, Eiki has signed as a development driver with Fast Track Racing.

 

Andy Hillenburg, a two-time Daytona winner, will oversee Eiki’s management and guide him on his path to becoming a NASCAR driver.

 

“I’m very excited to take my first step toward becoming a NASCAR driver in the United States with Wilson Motorsports”, stated Eiki. “I would like to sincerely thank all of our sponsors for their support with this race opportunity.”

 

“I am also deeply grateful to Mr. Hojo and Mr. Takahashi of Team Blute, who have supported me in every way since I first started kart racing. Thanks to their continued support, I was given this amazing opportunity.” Eiki Koga

 

“Thank you to everyone for believing in me. I’ll give it my best! Eiki Koga

 

I’m excited to make my Junior Late Model debut this spring!! I get to race 8 times at Madera Speedway in California, my schedule is below! Can’t wait for this new opportunity!!😎💪🏻

Madera JLM Schedule:
• March 14th
• April 11th
• May 16th
• June 13th
• July 11th
• August… pic.twitter.com/tBW1HHXwxt

— Brexton Busch (@brextonbusch) January 20, 2026

“We are very excited to announce that Eiki Koga will be driving for Wilson Motorsports in the Junior Late Model division at Madera Speedway. Eiki will be driving alongside his teammate, Brexton Busch. We are looking forward to watching both of our young drivers develop throughout the year.” Team Owner, Charlie Wilson

 

 

source: Takuma Koga Facebook

Finalists Chosen for Inaugural FAT Racing Shootout

Contest created by Rob Smedley to offer a funded season in British Formula 4 to a driver from a humble background

 

The finalists have been selected for the inaugural shootout for a scheme created by former Formula 1 engineer Rob Smedley to offer a British F4 campaign to an underfunded driver.

 

Smedley first revealed the plans in 2023 which initially featured a series of karting competitions around the world where all of the participants race in arrive-and-drive electric karts in a bid to try to democratise motorsport and enable talented drivers from less privileged backgrounds the chance to shine.

 

These events formed part of the FAT Karting League, from which world finals were held to help select the drivers for the FAT Racing shootout.

 

Two finalists were automatically chosen from the world finals: American Shea Aldrich, who won the Junior Heavy class, and Briton Ellis McKenzie, who topped the Junior Light division.

 

They will be joined in the shootout by two wildcard drivers who also impressed during the world finals. Scotland-based South African Monde-Jnr Konini was a runner-up while American Jackson Wolny was third in the Junior Heavy final.

 

They will now all take part in a two-stage shootout to determine who receives the fully-funded seat on this year’s British F4 grid.

 

The first phase will take place at FAT Racing’s UK headquarters and will involve simulator, fitness and media skills assessments, before the finalists will then head to the Guadix circuit in Spain, where they will get behind the wheel of F4 machinery.

 

“This is a historic moment for us, but more importantly, it’s a statement of intent,” explained Smedley.

 

“This has taken years of relentless work, belief and refusal to accept the status quo.

 

“Today, we are crystallising a real pathway from the FAT Karting League into single-seater racing that is based on talent, performance and capability — not on who can afford to pay their way forward.

 

“For too long, motorsport has filtered out exceptional ability simply because of budget. That has to change.

 

“Talent deserves opportunity, not exclusion, and we’re proud to be building a system that finally puts ability first.”

 

Smedley’s FAT Karting League co-founder Ferdi Porsche added: “The shootout is the next step in our mission to create a truly meritocratic pipeline all the way to the top of the sport.

 

“By removing financial roadblocks and pairing that with the technical expertise of our engineers, we’re ensuring that anyone gets a shot at becoming the next world champion, regardless of their background.”

 

 

 

 

source: Autosport Media

Kevin Harvick hits Son Keelan with Wake-Up Call

Epic Battle in CARS Tour West Season Opener

 

Keelan Harvick will one day have his day in the sun; Saturday at Tucson Speedway was not the time nor the place. His father, 2014 NASCAR Cup Series champion Kevin Harvick, reminded him that his “maiden voyage is over.”

 

The Harvicks headlined the field for the CARS Tour West Pro Late Model class season opener at Tucson Speedway. Keelan and Kevin banged doors and traded paint late in the race, the 13-year-old initiating it and the 50-year-old ending it. The elder Harvick took the checkered flag with Keelan coming in second, making it a father/son 1-2 finish.

 

“It got a little physical, but I was like, ‘You know what, buddy, you’ve moved me out of the way today, your maiden voyage is over, you’re gonna get the bumper back.’ I’m glad he didn’t wreck, but I would have been fine with that, too, today,” Kevin Harvick told Short Track Scene. “It was fun. Hopefully the crowd enjoyed it, it’s fun to be in Victory Lane.”

 

It was an entertaining duel between father and son, one of many we could see as Keelan Harvick continues to rise through the ranks of motorsports. Keelan Harvick put up a fight but came up just short going up against an experienced wheelman in his dad, a 60-time Cup Series winner.

 

“I had him the first time and we kind of got hung together there off of [Turn] 4 door-to-door and it kind of shot me down the racetrack just a little bit, and I didn’t get a great entry into [Turn] 1,” Kevin Harvick said. “I lost that battle there and the second time, I think he thought I was gonna roll the top or he thought I was at the top and tried to cross me over, I don’t remember exactly what happened right there. He didn’t get there, and then he moved me in the next corner. From there, it was game on.”

 

Pole sitter @KeelanHarvick breaks down his early battle with Colton Hale and finishing second to his dad, @KevinHarvick, in @CARSTourWest Pro Late Models at Tucson Speedway.@ST_Scene | #SoundGear125 pic.twitter.com/cd102y5Ctq

— Rence Brown (@rencethefence) January 18, 2026

Keelan Harvick really wanted to beat his dad. That being said, he enjoyed the battle.

 

“It was really fun,” Keelan Harvick said. “Hate that I couldn’t win but still really fun racing him.”

 

 

 

source: ON3 Media

Former Quarter Midget Drivers secure championships in NASCAR Truck Series & NASCAR Xfinity Series in 2025

Corey Heim, driver of the #11 Safelite Toyota and
Jesse Love, driver of the #2 Whelen Chevrolet.

 

In a historic culmination of grassroots racing talent rising to the national stage, two former quarter-midget competitors have captured the championships in the 2025 seasons of the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series and NASCAR Xfinity Series, marking a major milestone for the short-track developmental ranks.

 

 

In the Truck Series, rising star Corey Heim (formerly a standout in quarter-midget competition) clinched the 2025 title after a season of dominant performance, including multiple wins, poles and consistent top-ten finishes. Heim out of GA raced quarter midgets growing up, moving quickly into NASCAR higher ranks all leading to the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Champion in 2025.

 

Corey began racing quarter midgets at a young age, competing in local and regional events. Like many professional NASCAR drivers, these early experiences taught him car control, racecraft, and discipline behind the wheel. After success in quarter midgets, he moved up through Legends cars, Super Late Models, and ARCA Menards Series competition. Heim has since become a standout in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, driving for TRICON Garage (Toyota) and earning multiple wins, poles, and championship contention.

 

 

Simultaneously, in the NASCAR O'Reilly Auto Parts Series (formerly called the Xfinity Series), Jesse Love, whose early career also began in quarter-midgets, secured the 2025 driver’s championship. Love, who is NASCAR's youngest champion, raced quarter midgets early on in his career, followed by USAC Midgets, legend cars, and others.

 

Jesse Love started racing quarter midgets at around age five, competing in the Baylands Quarter Midget Association in Northern California. He quickly stood out for his speed and consistency, winning numerous races and championships at a young age. His success in quarter midgets set the stage for rapid advancement through the ranks of youth motorsports — including USAC Midgets, Micro Sprints, and Late Models. Love went on to become one of the youngest winners and champions in the ARCA Menards Series, and by 2024–2025, he was racing full-time in the NASCAR Xfinity Series with Richard Childress Racing.

 

Finally back in a midget here in Tulsa! Race of champions on tap for tomorrow night. pic.twitter.com/zmCYxuqK3N

— jesse love jr (@jesselovejr1) January 12, 2026

Both drivers trace their roots back to the quarter-midget arena — the small, high-performance cars young racers pilot on short oval tracks. That foundation of wheel-control, car-placement and race-craft has proven invaluable at the national levels of stock-car competition.

 

Their ascents underscore the effectiveness of grassroots racing as a pipeline to NASCAR’s national series: the discipline required, early exposure to competitive environments, and the mental toughness developed in quarter-midget competition have served them well through late models, regional series, and ultimately to full-time rides in NASCAR’s upper tiers.

 

About Quarter Midget Racing

Quarter-midget racing — involving small, open-wheel cars for youth drivers ages roughly five to sixteen — has long served as a training ground for mechanics of racing: throttle control, car handling, overtaking skills, and race strategy. Many NASCAR drivers cite their quarter-midget experience as critical in shaping their careers.

 

About NASCAR Youth Racing

NASCAR Youth Series is the sanctioning body for the quarter midget racing division of the United States Auto Club (USAC). Quarter midget racing has been around since before World War II. It is a family-oriented motorsport that involves children ages 5-16 racing in specially-prepared cars. The cars, rules and safety procedures are designed specifically for kids. Quarter midget racing is divided into 14 classes/divisions. Kids typically race on oval tracks approximately 1/20th of a mile long. The surface of these tracks are dirt, concrete or asphalt.

 

 

source: NASCAR Youth Media