RFK Resurgence in NASCAR: Ryan Blaney’s ascendancy to the Cup Series title came as a surprise to many playoff predictions, most pundits favoring the heavyweight squads of JGR and Hendrick Motorsports. One notable exception: Dale Earnhardt Jr. The Hall of Famer boldly picked Team Penske’s Blaney for the championship well before the playoffs commenced. What’s more remarkable is Earnhardt’s foresight during Ford’s struggle in pace compared to Toyota and Chevrolet.
On his recent podcast, Earnhardt shed light on how RFK’s resurgence, led by driver/owner Brad Keselowski, ignited the turnaround that ultimately propelled the #12 driver to his maiden title.
Reflecting on RFK’s impact on Ford’s resurgence, Earnhardt remarked, “They’ve completely turned this company around. They were at the back, seemingly with no way forward.” Blaney’s Championship success, in my opinion, owes much to RFK’s prowess in pushing Ford forward. When nobody could extract performance from the Ford, they did, galvanizing other Ford teams. Rather than accepting a non-competitive car, RFK worked it out and that spurred Penske and others into action,” noted the two-time Daytona 500 winner.
The latter part of the regular season witnessed Chris Buescher clinch three wins, concluding the season in 7th place. Brad Keselowski’s #6 team also finished strongly, securing 8th position.
What stands out even more is that for a significant part of the season, Ford teams like Stewart-Haas Racing and Team Penske grappled with pace issues. Buescher’s triumphant trio and Keselowski’s string of top 5 finishes revitalized the manufacturer’s campaign, culminating in Blaney’s championship victory.
The looming question now is whether the team can sustain this momentum into the 2024 season and contend for the title. The strides made by the legacy team have been nothing short of remarkable, considering their previous standing before Keselowski assumed an ownership role ahead of the 2022 season.
ALSO READ: Brad Keselowski RFK Racing Review: Racing for Progress
Our Reader’s Queries
What driver is returning to NASCAR?
Nascar icon Jimmie Johnson, a seven-time Cup Series champion, is gearing up to make a comeback in 2024. He will be taking the wheel of the No. 84 car for Legacy Motor Club and is set to participate in a minimum of three races. The announcement was made by the team on Tuesday, much to the delight of Johnson’s fans. Despite being semi-retired, the racing legend is still raring to go and is sure to put on a thrilling show for all those watching.
What happened to Roush Racing in NASCAR?
Roush Racing, now known as Roush Fenway Racing, was founded as a Ford-exclusive team. In 2007, John W. Henry and the Fenway Sports Group joined as co-owners, and in 2022, Brad Keselowski became a co-owner, leading to a rebranding as RFK Racing. The team has a rich history and continues to compete at the highest level in the world of motorsports.
Who is the new manufacturer in NASCAR?
The upcoming 2024 NASCAR Cup Series season will see the LEGACY MOTOR CLUB joining the fray, bringing the total number of Toyota Camry XSE’s on the track to eight. The season will kick off with the Clash at the Coliseum exhibition race in Los Angeles, California, where fans can expect to see these powerful machines in action every weekend.
Who are the drivers changing in the 2023 Nascar Cup Series?
Exciting driver changes are on the horizon for 2023! Ty Dillon will be making the move from Petty GMS to the #77 of Spire Motorsports. Meanwhile, Kurt Busch will be stepping away from full-time racing, with Tyler Reddick taking over the #45 for 23XI. Ryan Preece will be replacing Cole Custer in the #41 for Stewart-Haas, and Josh Bilicki will be driving a partial schedule for #78 Live Fast. Stay tuned for more updates on these thrilling developments!
