Earlier this year, RFK Racing participated in a testing session for high-speed packages at Michigan, and now Brad Keselowski is speaking out about the results. In a disappointing turn of events, NASCAR officials have decided not to implement any changes to the superspeedway package ahead of this weekend’s highly anticipated race at Talladega.
The concern around blowover flips in the NASCAR Cup Series has been growing since 2023. Despite efforts from NASCAR to modify the cars with new parts to keep them grounded, incidents persist. Most notably, during the Daytona race earlier this year, driver Ryan Preece experienced a flip, raising alarms once again. Keselowski, who is also Preece’s boss at RFK Racing, recently addressed the testing outcomes with reporters at Talladega.
“RFK Racing was part of the test at Michigan probably three or four weeks ago, where we explored different options to help the cars at track at very high speed and Michigan is very speed,” Keselowski explained, according to Kelly Crandall of RACER. “The options, unfortunately, didn’t pan out that NASCAR had worked to develop, so it wasn’t a surprise that there weren’t any changes.”
Kaselowski acknowledged the efforts made, stating, “I knew there was effort being put into it and, candidly, not everything you try is gonna work, but I appreciate that there was effort put into it. I think there’s very much a back to the drawing board mentality. I don’t feel like it’s not being worked on, but we’re not gonna skip the race just because we haven’t figured something out, so the show goes on.” His perspective highlights the ongoing struggles NASCAR faces in enhancing safety while maintaining competitive racing.
Fans are now left wondering what the future holds, especially for the superspeedway package. Ryan Preece likely shares the hopes of many that some progress is made. Meanwhile, questions linger regarding the situation at short tracks, which add another layer to the ongoing discussions about package changes.
In the realm of drafting, Brad Keselowski has seen considerable evolution throughout his career. Renowned for his prowess at Talladega, he’s not only one of the best performers on this iconic track but has also made it a defining aspect of his career. Talladega marked the start of his journey in the Cup Series with his first victory, and he has since secured six wins, although he has faced challenges in recent races.
This weekend represents a pivotal moment for Keselowski, who has experienced some tough losses and near-misses, including three second-place finishes since his last victory at the track in the Spring of 2021. His results in the Next Gen car have been far from ideal, with the No. 6 team struggling to find top-10 finishes in the current season. Presently, he ranks P31 in points, wedged between Noah Gragson and Erik Jones, trailing behind even some rookie drivers.
For Brad Keselowski, this weekend at Talladega presents a crucial opportunity to secure a win. Achieving a strong performance would not only serve to alleviate the pressures surrounding his team but also possibly secure a coveted playoff position. The stakes have never been higher for Keselowski and his team, as they race against the clock to improve their season and restore their confidence leading into the playoffs.
