NASCAR drivers have profound knowledge about cars, extending well beyond stock car racing. The 2012 Cup Series champion, Brad Keselowski, recently expressed his disdain for what he considers to be the worst invention in the automotive world—the auto-start/stop system.
This critique was prompted by a post criticizing vehicles’ auto-start/stop feature and soon Keselowski agreed that this was indeed the worst automotive invention. The auto-start/stop system automatically shuts down a vehicle’s engine when it is idle in order to save fuel, especially in high-traffic situations.
However, not all drivers, particularly car enthusiasts, appreciate this system. Many, including Brad Keselowski, find it irritating as the engine shuts off during unwanted situations, all in the name of saving fuel. This has led to many drivers opting to disable the system each time they get behind the wheel.
Keselowski is a co-owner and driver at RFK Racing, and despite facing tough competition from teammates Chris Buescher and Ryan Preece this year, he remains undeterred. Both Buescher and Preece have managed to secure a top-5 finish this year, while Keselowski has yet to make it into the top 10.
Despite this, Keselowski speaks favorably of his team’s progress. He draws a touching comparison, stating, “It’s not quite the same as watching your kids succeed, but in a similar vein, it has a lot of correlation, so I can find ways to be happy with them beating me, which the competitor in me probably plugs his nose when I say that, but I’m proud of them nonetheless.”
Although Keselowski’s performance in the 2025 campaign has been underwhelming, there is still ample time for him to bounce back. Even if he is outpaced by his younger teammates, his invaluable experience could potentially turn the tables in the right conditions.
If he falls short of outperforming Buescher and Preece, it wouldn’t be a total loss since they form the core of RFK’s future. On the other hand, if Keselowski bounces back and finds his groove again, it would be a testament to his impactful NASCAR career.
It is clear that Keselowski’s criticisms of the auto-start/stop system has caused a stir in the automotive community, and it will be interesting to see the potential implications of his stance moving forward.
