Brad Keselowski, co-owner and driver at RFK Racing, achieved his first top-5 finish of the 2025 NASCAR season during Sunday’s Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway, navigating from 33rd place to claim fifth at the checkered flag. The Brad Keselowski first top-5 finish at Charlotte, however, left him dissatisfied, reflecting frustration over his struggles to turn strong performances into victories.
Disappointment Overshadows the Result
Despite leading four laps during the final stage, Brad Keselowski walked away from the weekend with mixed emotions, expressing that the result did not meet his expectations for himself or for RFK Racing. He spoke openly about his desire for wins over strong finishes, making it clear that his ambitions remain high.
“Top-10’s in this sport, top-5’s don’t mean that much, wins do. It shows what we are capable of to some degree, but I wanna win,”
—Brad Keselowski, Driver and Co-Owner
Keselowski’s remarks show that while the top-five reflects the car’s potential and the team’s capabilities, it offers little satisfaction without a trip to victory lane. RFK Racing’s No. 6 Ford Mustang Dark Horse proved competitive, but Keselowski was left pondering what could have been with a longer race or different circumstances.
“We had a really good car. We got mixed up in some of the different stuff at the midpoint of the race and just clawed our way out. I feel like if we could have got to the lead, we could have won the race. I wish it was a 700-mile race,”
—Brad Keselowski, Driver and Co-Owner
Challenges Throughout the Season
Prior to his run at Charlotte, Keselowski had not finished higher than 11th this year, with his best result at Las Vegas Motor Speedway in March. Entering the Coca-Cola 600, he was carrying the weight of three consecutive DNFs, all caused by crashes that set back both driver and team ambitions.
The fifth-place result, though respectable, has not been enough to shift his fortunes in the points standings. Keselowski sits at 32nd on the table, trailing the playoff cutline by 100 points. As a two-year playoff contender, he faces a daunting task to keep his postseason streak alive amid mounting competition and recent struggles to seal wins from competitive positions.
Reflecting on his performance, Keselowski did not shy away from taking responsibility and analyzing the missed opportunity.
“This car was good enough to win. We just weren’t able to put all the dots together, and some of that falls on me for sure.”
—Brad Keselowski, Driver and Co-Owner
Spotter Change Adds Another Layer
The Coca-Cola 600 also introduced a different dynamic atop the RFK Racing pit box. Normally guided by veteran spotter TJ Majors, Keselowski competed without his regular advisor, as Majors was sidelined due to a medical issue that will keep him away for about a month. Brian Keselowski, Brad’s brother, stepped into the spotter role, bringing a familial voice to the track during a pivotal race weekend.
Addressing the absence of his usual spotter, Keselowski acknowledged,
“It’s a part of life, I guess. We don’t like it, but we are doing our best to adapt to it.”
—Brad Keselowski, Driver and Co-Owner
The change could have been challenging under the circumstances, though having his brother as spotter may have offered a unique comfort level when adapting to unforeseen obstacles. Despite these adjustments, Keselowski showed that the team can still generate competitive results and highlighted the resilience RFK Racing aims to maintain.
Implications for Keselowski and RFK Racing
Brad Keselowski’s first top-5 finish at Charlotte provides renewed motivation but also intensifies the urgency for victories as the season presses on. As the team works through personnel challenges and attempts to overcome setbacks from earlier in the year, future performances will determine whether Keselowski can return to playoff contention and achieve the wins he craves.
The coming weeks, with TJ Majors still absent and the pressure mounting in the points race, will be pivotal in tracing the trajectory for both Keselowski and RFK Racing. Their ability to capitalize on competitive race cars, adapt to staffing changes, and turn potential into victory will define their 2025 campaign in NASCAR’s Cup Series.
