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Celebrating the Latest Member of the “100 Club” – Harvey Harrison

Statesville, North Carolina (July 2, 2026) – Longevity is arguably a trait that does not tend to be seen within the same organization or discipline of short track racing as much as it once was.  The Super Cup Stock Car Series has bucked that trend in certain ways with now a fourth member entering the triple digits in total starts during the latest evening of competition at Orange County Speedway.

“It’s hard to believe,” Harrison indicated upon being recognized following the drivers meeting at the June 20th event in Rougemont, North Carolina.  “I was surprised when I got that award.  It surprised us all.”

Harrison and family came to the SCSCS with a host of racing experience, mostly in Late Models, at tracks such as Franklin County Speedway, Ona Speedway, and what is now known as Pulaski County Motorsports Park.  His entrance during the tail end of the inaugural season at Hickory Motor Speedway behind the wheel of what would be the signature No. 51 for many years resulted in a respectable finish of sixth in a 15-car field.

A year later, the Renick, West Virginia driver quickly became a contender, taking his first victory at Lonesome Pine Raceway in May 2009 when the two leaders in front of him tangled late in the going.  That season also featured his first career Pole Awards at series staple Shenandoah Speedway where he also went on to record his second win.

Since then, accomplishments continued with memorable wins.  In 2012 he survived an eventful one at Ona Speedway, a track in which he was a former Late Model champion.  Columbus Motor Speedway in 2016, during the final race for the series ever at the Ohio facility, felt like redemption after an enormous impact with the wall there five years prior.

The Harrison’s Motorsports team had to take a short break following 2017, but a surprise unannounced arrival at the popular Jennerstown Speedway in September 2018 had an outcome of another trophy being attained.  There have been two more victories to-date, both coming again at Lonesome Pine on his way to a second series championship in 2023, the first occurring in 2016.

Altogether, even series officials almost lost track of the number of different venues Harrison has frequented, officially a total of 17 across five states.  Approximately 150 different drivers have taken a green flag in a SCSCS race, and he has run side by side with almost all of them at one point or another.

“I never really thought about it,” Harrison added, regarding the feat.  “All the tracks run together when you’ve run 100 (races).  All in all, it’s been good.”

Another driver who eventually achieved the same milestone also made his debut on the same day as Harrison.  Kevin Kromer from Walnutport, Pennsylvania had 10 wins in 112 starts with the series, culminating in a long sought-after championship in 2019.  Kromer passed away in 2024, but the memories live on through his wife Kelly.

“Kevin and I both always enjoyed spending time with Harvey, his wife Mary, and family,” Kelly Kromer shared.  “We even had the pleasure of visiting them one time at their home and considered them like family.  In the early years of racing with the Super Cup Stock Car Series, we were on the (advisory) board of directors together and shared a lot of the same values, opinions, and dedication to the series and the sport.  We also shared a love of family and discussions about our kids being involved in racing and all things that went along with that in the role of car owner, driver, and parent.  His daughter Summer still reaches out with words of kindness and prayers.  Harvey and Kevin were always there for one another and only ever showed great sportsmanship and friendship.”

During occasions when in need both Kevin Kromer and Harvey Harrison were known to lend parts to other competitors as well as each other, and each were early recipients of the “Racing Spirit” Award that was introduced by original series director and founder Joe Schmaling.

“I’ve said several times over the years that Harvey is someone who never loses his cool in a race,” Schmaling indicated about the fierce yet clean competitor.  “Always has a smile no matter how he finishes.  It was a pleasure to present him with the Racing Spirit Award, a well-deserved award given to special people.”

Bill Ashton, in which Harrison was one of the first to congratulate when the current series director won his first SCSCS race in his home state of Pennsylvania, echoed similar thoughts toward one of the drivers he respected most during his 100+ races behind the wheel.

“That’s pretty exciting to have a good guy like Harvey Harrison to join such an elite club.”

Although he and the other members have some years on them now, Harrison laughed during the time in which the award was given that when he gets in the car he feels like he’s 18.  Another former champion and the driver currently first in all-time starts, Brent Nelson, offered his sentiments about one of his favorite and most trusted competitors to run side by side with.

“I’m glad Harvey came over to our old man’s club,” the 2024 series champion commented.  “I think it’s Bill, myself, Harvey, and of course Kevin.  We wish Kevin was here with us.  Maybe we’ll be around and get 150, who knows.”

Although it is obvious at this point, it is worth mentioning family has played a crucial part toward Harvey’s success.  There is never an instance where at least his wife Mary and his oldest son Brian are not by his side at the track, and his daughter Summer and son Brandon that has also driven on 34 occasions have often frequented on race days along with an extended crew, such as longtime spotter J.P. Booth and his family.

Potentially next to reach the echelon is Brian Harrison with 82 races under his own belt.  He was just as surprised to see his father acknowledged for the accomplishment.

“I think it’s awesome.  Dad loves this series and that’s why he’s here.”

“That’s crazy,” Brian Harrison additionally reacted upon being informed he might be next in line to reach 100.  “We’re just going to keep on doing it.  This is kind of our big family of racers that we’ve raced with for a long time.”

As someone who ranks within the top five all-time in categories of most top five and top 10 finishes, number of races with a lap led, hard charger awards, consecutive seasons with a lap led, consecutive top five points finishes, and consecutive top five race finishes, Harvey Harrison of course immediately looks ahead at what is to come.

“The season has been, you would say, like a rollercoaster, but we are still enjoying it, and we just have to buckle down and try to get everything together and we’ll be alright.”

The next article during the month-long summer break will take a look back at the first leg of the 2026 season from the eyes of the top drivers so far this year as well as peek ahead at what is still on the horizon, including the next event at Ona Speedway in West Virginia on Saturday, August 1st.

Additional information can be found on the Super Cup Stock Car Series official website supercupstockcarseries.com, on Facebook (search Super Cup Stock Car Series), Twitter (@SCSCSRacing), Instagram (SCSCS_Racing), and https://www.youtube.com/SCSCSRacing.

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