RFK Racing Iowa Speedway performance took center stage on Sunday as Brad Keselowski and Ryan Preece delivered impressive top five finishes amid strategy-driven racing at Iowa Speedway. Keselowski led the charge, winning the first two stages and finishing on the podium, while Preece leveraged strong restarts and fuel strategy for a top five result, demonstrating RFK Racing’s overall strength in this NASCAR Cup Series showdown.
Keselowski Controls Early Stages and Battled for the Win
Brad Keselowski wasted no time making his presence felt in Iowa, guiding the Solomon Plumbing Ford to the front within just a few laps. Starting fifth, the 2012 Cup Series Champion quickly advanced to second, setting up a gripping contest with William Byron for the opening stage. The duel saw the drivers race side by side, but Keselowski ultimately powered ahead, securing victory in stage one to establish himself as an early favorite for the win.
After a pit stop, Keselowski continued to set the pace in stage two. Despite restarting outside the top four, he recorded some of his fastest laps of the day, methodically climbing up the order. As the field cycled through green flag pit stops, Keselowski extended his stint, a decision that paid off when a caution allowed him to pit under yellow without losing significant ground. By lap 188, he caught up to leader Ryan Blaney, moved ahead, and nabbed a second consecutive stage win, maximizing stage points and momentum.
Strategy Plays Out in a Dramatic Final Stage
For the race‘s closing segment, Keselowski and the 6-team doubled down on their aggressive playbook, electing to remain on track while others pitted. “let’s play to win,” Keselowski declared as he set out, determined to stay at the front. As fuel loads became the race’s focal point, Keselowski made a decisive pit stop under caution at lap 231, loading up on fuel for the demanding run to the finish.
The 6-car slipped back in the order after the stop, but with a fuller tank than most, confidence remained high in the RFK Racing camp. Frequent cautions allowed competitors to even out the fuel advantage, but Keselowski continued to fight forward through the remainder of the field, ultimately capturing a third-place finish after leading on three separate occasions for a total of 68 laps.
Ryan Preece Overcomes Obstacles for Another Top Five
Ryan Preece’s ability at Iowa Speedway—already proven by his 2017 Xfinity victory—was on display as he battled through adversity in the Mohawk Northeast Ford. Stage one was an uphill struggle, culminating in a 30th-place finish for the segment, followed by a costly speeding penalty on pit road that set him back even further. However, Crew Chief Derrick Finley crafted a plan to maximize track position through fuel strategy, keeping Preece on track as others pitted.
A well-timed caution propelled Preece forward, enabling a restart from 14th, after which he charged ahead to finish ninth in the second stage. In the final segment, Preece capitalized on fuel mileage and aggressive restarts, frequently moving up the order with each opportunity. Thanks to a series of cautions, he continued advancing, ultimately locking in his second consecutive top five finish—a result that highlights his resilience and the team‘s knack for smart strategy.
Chris Buescher Battles from the Rear for a Hard-Earned Finish
Chris Buescher faced a tough start in the Body Guard Ford, beginning in 27th and initially dropping further to 30th place. Nevertheless, he worked his way back into contention by regaining his starting spot within the first thirty laps, often fighting midpack and trading positions with competitors like Riley Herbst. Buescher wrapped up stage one where he started, holding down 27th place.
Stage two saw the RFK Racing driver attempt to climb the field. Thanks to fresh tires and fuel on a restart, Buescher worked his way as high as 12th, opting not to pit under a mid-stage caution. The late stop at lap 206 saw him lose ground, but he still finished the segment in 24th. The final stage brought more challenges—a penalty during an early pit stop forced Buescher to make an extra trip down pit road for fuel. Despite these setbacks, he managed to climb as high as 14th, though another late pit stop during a caution cost him valuable track position, leaving him 22nd at the checkered flag.
Race Significance for RFK Racing and the Road Ahead
Brad Keselowski’s commanding run at Iowa Speedway and Ryan Preece’s resilient recovery both serve as evidence of RFK Racing’s ability to compete at the front under varying circumstances. Keselowski’s tactical approach in stage two, Ryan Preece’s comeback from early trouble and pit penalties, and Chris Buescher’s fight through adversity all highlight a team growing stronger in both execution and resolve. With two top fives and another competitive showing, RFK Racing’s Iowa Speedway performance positions them as important contenders for the remainder of the NASCAR Cup Series season, where strategic calls and driver talent will continue to play a significant role.
