As the NASCAR season progresses, Brad Keselowski finds himself grappling with the reality of a challenging performance season, while watching his RFK Racing teammates, Chris Buescher and Ryan Preece, achieve notable success. Despite securing a win last season and making a playoff appearance, Keselowski finished 13th overall, unable to advance past the second round. His struggles this year have been evident as both Buescher and Preece consistently outshine him on the track.
This season, the challenges have multiplied for Keselowski. Buescher has already secured one top-five and four top-ten finishes, while Preece, a new addition to the team, has logged a top-five finish and two top-tens. In stark contrast, Keselowski, the co-owner and driver of the #6 car, has not yet managed to break into the top ranks, leading to questions about his competitive edge.
In a recent interview, Keselowski reflected on his teammates’ performances, choosing to focus on a positive perspective rather than feelings of jealousy. “They’re pushing me, which is good. I don’t want it to be a one-directional relationship where I was pushing them,” he stated, emphasizing the importance of healthy competition within his team.
Keselowski spoke highly of Buescher and Preece, indicating that their dedication and skill contribute significantly to RFK Racing’s overall performance. Preece, in particular, has brought an impressive level of thoroughness that Keselowski admires. “They both are outstanding talents,” he remarked, expressing his commitment to equipping them with the resources necessary for success.
Despite acknowledging that he has not yet realized all his ambitions, Keselowski remains optimistic about the structure and support being built around their drivers. He sees immense potential in the equipment and believes that, once everything aligns, his team will deliver strong results.
Describing his feelings about his teammates’ achievements, Keselowski said, “That’s really exciting for me to see that for them. It’s not quite the same as watching your kids succeed, but in a similar vein, it has a lot of correlation.” He admits that while the competitor within him struggles to accept their triumphs, he takes pride in their accomplishments.
When questioned about his ability to outrun his teammates, Keselowski asserted his confidence, stating that he fully expects to reclaim his competitive edge. Speaking from the NASCAR Productions Facility before the race at Talladega, he candidly discussed the struggles of RFK Racing, noting the significant changes the organization is undergoing despite the anticipated growth not yet materializing.
Still, his hope remains steadfast. Keselowski believes in the potential rewards of these changes, even if they come with setbacks. “It’s been a lot of scratching and clawing,” he reflected, recognizing that, despite a rough patch, there are promising glimpses of speed in his car, suggesting that the #6 team holds substantial potential waiting to surface.
Currently, Keselowski finds himself ranked 31st in the standings, a considerable distance behind his teammates Buescher and Preece, who sit securely in 12th and 14th place, respectively. As the season unfolds, Keselowski’s resilience will be crucial, not only for his success but also for the continued growth of RFK Racing as a competitive force in NASCAR.
