Brad Keselowski aims to keep his Brad Keselowski NASCAR playoff hopes alive as the regular season nears its conclusion, with just two races left for him and his RFK Racing team to secure a spot in the championship hunt. With the next races at Richmond Raceway and Daytona International Speedway, Keselowski faces mounting urgency, yet remains upbeat despite not yet earning a win this year.
Currently holding 19th place in the drivers‘ standings and 465 points after 24 events, Keselowski sits outside the cutoff for the NASCAR playoffs. Victories in this season have eluded him, putting him at a disadvantage compared to drivers who have already locked in their positions with wins. Still, his performance includes seven top-10 and four top-5 finishes, and he has led a total of 154 laps throughout the events so far.
Reflecting on the significance of reaching the postseason, Keselowski commented on the value such an achievement brings both to himself and his organization, as shared by motorsports journalist Kelly Crandall:
“It means a lot to me.”
Brad Keselowski has two races left to make some magic happen and secure a postseason berth. Something that he says makes a statement about a driver and a race team:” —Brad Keselowski, Driver
Confidence Carrying into Richmond and Daytona Finales
The upcoming Cup Series event at Richmond Raceway holds particular importance for Keselowski, as he has a strong record at the Virginia short track, with previous wins and competitive runs there. Fresh off showing promising speed at Iowa earlier in the season, Keselowski is hopeful this momentum will translate into results this weekend.
“We are really pumped. We ran so well in Iowa. We hope that success will carry over. I have won there a few times and we’ve had some good runs. A lot of positive thoughts going into the weekend,”
Keselowski said (via Speedway Digest). —Brad Keselowski, Driver
Following Richmond, the last chance to punch a playoff ticket arrives at Daytona International Speedway, which is notorious for unpredictable finishes. The stakes are high for Keselowski and other drivers who have yet to clinch a postseason spot under the current playoff structure, which rewards winners and creates heightened drama as the field for the Round of 16 is set.
Road to the Championship: Format and Race Lineup
The NASCAR championship playoff, which begins shortly after these decisive races, utilizes a system where a win in any playoff round ensures advancement, while points are recalibrated at each stage. Playoff points, however, are carried through until the final event at Phoenix Raceway.
The first round consists of races at Darlington, Kansas, and Bristol, forming the Round of 16. The following stage, the Round of 12, features events at Texas, Talladega, and the Charlotte Roval. Those who survive to the Round of 8 will compete at Las Vegas, Homestead-Miami Speedway, and Martinsville Speedway. The season wraps up at Phoenix Raceway, where the top four contenders battle for the championship, with the highest finisher crowned as the season’s champion.
Tire Supply Challenges May Influence Richmond Strategies
As teams prepare for the Cookout 400 at Richmond, Keselowski has warned that tire management could be a critical issue due to supply limitations. He addressed concerns that only eight sets of Goodyear tires are available per team for the race itself, plus sets used for practice and qualifying. By his assessment, this allocation may not suffice for the expected demands of the Richmond circuit.
“We’re in trouble. The tire’s supposed to be the option tire, it doesn’t look like the option tire, it doesn’t drive like the option tire. It’s going to be harder to run more than 50 laps on it. If you look at the amount of tires we have, we have enough tires to go, I think it’s like 45 laps a set. Rough math. Not enough. The math ain’t mathing.”
—Brad Keselowski, Driver
Keselowski expressed some hope that cooler conditions after sunset might relieve the strain on tire durability, though he maintained a cautious outlook concerning the situation heading into the weekend.
Goodyear, which also supplied tires for Bowman Gray, Martinsville, and North Wilkesboro earlier this season, has brought the same right-side tire used in last year’s Richmond event, while switching to a softer compound on the left. Softer tires typically deliver more grip at the expense of longevity, a combination that may test teams’ strategies at a track known for significant tire wear.
What’s at Stake in the Coming Weeks
As Keselowski prepares for pivotal races at Richmond Raceway and Daytona International Speedway, his quest to make the playoff cut embodies the determination of both veteran drivers and up-and-coming contenders in the Cup Series. Tire management, unpredictable outcomes, and the escalating tension of the playoff system make for a charged end to the regular season. For Keselowski, making the playoffs would not only validate his efforts and those of his RFK Racing team, but would also offer another shot at championship glory as the NASCAR postseason unfolds at venues like Darlington, Kansas, Texas, and ultimately Phoenix Raceway.
