Brad Keselowski criticizes NASCAR Roval schedule for playoffs, warning that the abundance of road course races could dramatically affect RFK Racing‘s postseason hopes. With four out of the next fourteen NASCAR Cup Series events featuring a mix of road and street circuits, playoff berths for drivers like Ryan Preece now hang in the balance.
New Road Courses Shake Up the Playoff Race
The NASCAR Cup Series landscape has dramatically changed with the rise of the Next Gen car and a schedule packed with five to six road course events. In previous seasons, a solitary road race was typically not enough to make or break a driver’s playoff run. However, as the post-All-Star regular season stretch unfolds, drivers who have not yet secured wins must now accumulate points amid four mixed-surface events, adding new complexity to their championship chase.
The field is filled with road course specialists, known as “ringers,” like AJ Allmendinger, Shane van Gisbergen (SVG), and Tyler Reddick. These drivers are expected to capitalize on their expertise, potentially overtaking points-ranked contenders with breakthrough victories. Kevin Harvick has pointed out that wildcard wins by these specialists could threaten the playoff positions of consistent performers. Harvick highlighted drivers such as Ross Chastain and Ryan Preece as possible casualties if a road course ringer breaks through.
Ryan Preece, who currently sits just above the points cutline in 15th, stands at risk. Harvick’s analysis suggests that Preece’s postseason fate could rest on whether Allmendinger or SVG snatch a win in the coming weeks. Preece’s only top ten finish on a road course during the Gen 7 era underscores the uphill battle he faces against such company. Harvick further stressed this threat, noting,
“Road Course season is going to be interesting for Allmendinger, SVG, some of these guys that you don’t think should be in the playoffs that could easily put them in the playoffs, and that’s when it starts to get interesting. Having guys get into the playoff picture with a win that aren’t even close on the points battle, then it starts to get interesting because you’re knocking guys out.”
—Kevin Harvick, NASCAR driver
Allmendinger’s unpredictable season, particularly after an engine failure at Kansas that pushed him from 15th to 25th in points, demonstrates how quickly fortunes can change. Yet, one road course triumph could instantly restore his playoff hopes, while simultaneously ejecting another driver from contention. As Harvick bluntly summed up,
“Then the Allemendinger’s are out, the Preece’s and the guys who are right there around the bubble, all of a sudden are way further behind.”
—Kevin Harvick, NASCAR driver
This volatility extends beyond Preece. Bubba Wallace and Ross Chastain, despite sitting farther above the cutline, are not insulated from the playoff shakeup if road aces claim unexpected wins.
The Impact on Ross Chastain and Other Points Leaders
Ross Chastain’s current season offers no guarantees despite his No. 1 Trackhouse Racing Chevrolet’s solid performance. Although Chastain is 11th in points with a 56-point cushion, his team’s inconsistent results are cause for concern. Harvick addressed Chastain’s situation, remarking,
“I feel like that could bump up into that Chastain area even though it seems like he has a good points cushion right now I think you gotta take two or three of those spots out of the mix because of the guys that are gonna win.”
—Kevin Harvick, NASCAR driver
The schedule’s layout means Chastain’s margin may quickly evaporate if SVG, Allmendinger, or other ringers secure playoff spots with a single strong showing. As Chastain’s lone teammate SVG is particularly adept on road courses, there is an added internal pressure, and the presence of several wildcard events amplifies the possibility of dramatic swings in the points standings.
RFK Racing’s Playoff Picture: Hope and Uncertainty
RFK Racing now finds itself at a critical crossroads. Brad Keselowski, who co-owns the team and competes alongside Preece, remains uncommitted to the road course strategy for clinching a playoff berth. The #6 RFK Racing Ford Mustang has struggled for form, and Keselowski’s best chance might lie in the unpredictable superspeedway events rather than in the upcoming twisty circuits.
While teammates like Preece hope to capitalize on consistent points races, Keselowski’s recent comments suggest skepticism about their chances on the current road-heavy schedule. The coming events not only test drivers’ on-track adaptability but also reinforce the importance of strategic decision-making for teams aiming to secure playoff spots in a shifting landscape.
Brad Keselowski Calls for Changes to the Roval Schedule
Keselowski, known for his traditionalist views, has not concealed his preference for short ovals over hybrid tracks like the Charlotte Roval. After recent successes in qualifying and heat races, Keselowski raised concerns about the Roval’s role in the playoffs. He advocated for a return to North Wilkesboro as a points race at the expense of the current configuration, arguing that NASCAR risks undermining its heritage by prioritizing modern layouts.
During a discussion with the media, Keselowski made his position clear stating,
“I think this needs to be a points racetrack.”
—Brad Keselowski, RFK Racing co-owner and driver. He suggested that North Wilkesboro, with its rich history in the sport’s inaugural seasons and the 1949 finale, deserves a restored place on the schedule. Keselowski then critiqued NASCAR for keeping the Roval while eliminating dates at classic venues:
“I think the Charlotte racetrack, particularly since it only has one race on the oval, I think that’s a miss for our sport. It’s a great racetrack and puts on some of the best racing, so it would make sense to me if we were to revert back to that and make this a season race, and probably get rid of a race like the Roval or something like that,”
—Brad Keselowski, RFK Racing co-owner and driver.
Keselowski’s remarks also challenged the Charlotte Roval’s significance and popularity as an elimination race in the playoff Round of 12. Confronted with a question about the combination oval/infield format’s stature, he questioned its justification, responding, “Has it really?” —Brad Keselowski, RFK Racing co-owner and driver. He went on to underscore the difference in attendance and television ratings between the Roval and the traditional oval at Charlotte:
“I look at the stands and there are more fans that come to the oval race and better ratings, too, than come to the Roval races. I thought that’s what we judge the sport by. I’m very strong about the Roval has got to go.”
—Brad Keselowski, RFK Racing co-owner and driver.
What This Means for NASCAR and the Season Ahead
With several road course and street races looming, the remainder of the regular season promises heightened uncertainty for drivers battling to earn playoff spots, including those from RFK Racing. Brad Keselowski’s criticisms highlight a broader debate about the evolution of the NASCAR schedule—specifically, the tension between tradition and innovation. Key figures like Kevin Harvick and road course specialists such as Allmendinger and SVG further intensify the stakes, ensuring that each race could dramatically shift the playoff landscape.
If more road specialists capitalize on the upcoming wildcards, playoff contenders could see their hopes dashed despite season-long consistency. Meanwhile, Keselowski’s call to abolish the Roval, in favor of restoring historic venues, may add to growing pressure on NASCAR officials to reevaluate event selection in future seasons. As the playoff race enters its critical phase, teams, drivers, and fans alike will be watching not only each finish line but also the decisions that shape NASCAR’s ongoing evolution.
