Brad Keselowski leads RFK Racing into a new phase, drawing strong support from Carl Edwards, who has expressed confidence in Keselowski’s drive and leadership since his move to team co-ownership. Keselowski stepped into his dual role as both driver and minority owner in 2021, promising to elevate the team in the NASCAR Cup Series with renewed purpose.
Carl Edwards Applauds Keselowski’s Leadership at RFK Racing
In December 2021, Carl Edwards, former Cup Series driver and a recent NASCAR Hall of Fame inductee, voiced his admiration for Keselowski’s fierce determination. Edwards, famed for his own 23 Cup wins under Roush before joining Joe Gibbs Racing, highlighted Keselowski’s qualities shortly after he became part-owner of Jack Roush’s revamped operation.
“I think (Brad) is one of the toughest competitors in this sport. I think he’s got a focus and he’s got a competitive drive and a persistence. I’ve never seen anybody with more,”
Carl Edwards said (via NASCAR.com). —Carl Edwards, NASCAR Hall of Fame Inductee
“I have a lot of respect for Brad. And when I heard that he was going to be a part of Roush Racing, to me, that’s exciting. I believe that he, combined with the Fenway group and Jack, that’s a match right there,”
he added. —Carl Edwards, NASCAR Hall of Fame Inductee
Following his retirement, Edwards returned briefly to the sport as a broadcaster, calling five NASCAR Cup races on Prime Video this season. His endorsement lent further weight to Keselowski’s appointment, underlining the team’s ambitions in a fiercely competitive field.
Keselowski’s Vision for RFK Racing in NASCAR
Stepping out of his champion legacy at Team Penske, where he secured the 2012 Cup title and 34 of his 35 victories, Brad Keselowski embraced the challenges at RFK Racing. His aim in assuming an ownership stake was clear—to combine his on-track skills with his passion for team development, steering the organization into a new era.
“This presents an opportunity to continue my on-track success with a strong team and a long-term commitment, but also dive into my passion of team ownership where I know I can be an asset to the future of the team,”
Brad Keselowski said (via NASCAR.com). —Brad Keselowski, RFK Racing Driver & Co-owner
“Our goal is to win races and compete for championships at NASCAR’s top level, and we plan to do just that,”
he added. —Brad Keselowski, RFK Racing Driver & Co-owner
Ups and Downs Mark RFK Racing’s Recent Seasons
The team’s performance under Keselowski’s stewardship has seen both setbacks and improvements. The 2022 season was challenging, with Keselowski failing to claim a win and facing a significant penalty, while Chris Buescher achieved RFK’s first non-superspeedway victory at Bristol since 2014. By the end of the next year, Keselowski climbed to eighth in the standings with 16 top-10 results, while Buescher celebrated three wins and a place in the playoffs.
In 2024, Keselowski celebrated his first Cup victory as driver–owner at Darlington, ending the season ranked 13th overall. That same year, the team expanded, introducing a third entry into the Cup Series with the addition of Ryan Preece.
Current Form Sets Expectations for RFK
Looking at the 2025 campaign, Keselowski has not reached victory lane but has earned two top-five and four top-ten finishes in the first 18 events, leaving him near 27th in the points. Chris Buescher and Ryan Preece have shown consistency, registering multiple top-fives and currently holding ninth and 14th places in the standings, respectively.
As Keselowski continues his journey leading RFK Racing, the team faces both opportunities and challenges with a renewed focus. Carl Edwards’s confidence in Keselowski’s leadership, combined with ongoing development and strong performances from drivers like Buescher and Preece, positions RFK Racing as a determined competitor in the coming seasons.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. Is Brad Keselowski Polish?
A. The Keselowski family comes from Polish roots. During his teenage years, Keselowski helped out in his dad’s race shop by cleaning floors and cutting the grass. In 2000, Keselowski started racing stock cars in the Factory Stock category.
