Brad Keselowski has drawn attention in NASCAR circles for adopting a practice commonly seen among football players: applying eye black under each eye before a race. The motivation behind his unique approach, now gaining attention as the
“Brad Keselowski eye black NASCAR reason,”
is to cut down on the sun’s glare inside his race car and improve his visibility while driving.
In the high-stakes environment of NASCAR, drivers like Keselowski constantly search for ways to fine-tune their performance and safety. Traditionally, teams addressed bright, sunny conditions by using tinted windshields, but this method blocks a driver’s ability to clearly spot wet areas on the racetrack—a critical detail for race strategy and safety. Keselowski, known for his methodical approach, decided to take inspiration from another sport, adopting eye black as a way to mitigate glare without losing his visual edge during wet-weather conditions on the track.
A Practical Solution to Racing’s Visual Challenges
The decision to use eye black came after Keselowski encountered visibility issues caused by tinted windshields, especially during unpredictable weather. While responding to fans in a recent YouTube Q&A, he addressed the matter directly, offering insight into his rationale.
“When you have tint on the windshield, you can’t see those (rain) spots on the racetrack. So, what we tend to do with my cars is try not to run the tint on any races where we think it might rain. The problem with that is it makes it very bright inside the race car. The glare gets worse. Using eyeblack helps to offset that without making it to where I can’t see the racetrack when it’s wet,”
—Brad Keselowski, NASCAR driver
This simple adjustment demonstrates Keselowski’s willingness to borrow ideas from athletes in other sports, using eye black as a strategic advantage in the highly technical field of NASCAR. His openness to innovation highlights both his adaptability as a driver and his practical mindset, traits that help him stand out in an intensely competitive environment.
Personal Milestones and Racing Goals
Away from the racetrack, Keselowski experienced a significant personal event as he and his wife, Paige, welcomed their fourth child—a baby boy—shortly before the NASCAR regular season finale. Although he did not secure a spot in the playoffs this year, Keselowski reflected positively on the week’s milestones and remained hopeful going into the high-profile Coke Zero Sugar 400 at Daytona International Speedway.
“It has been a good week; I’d like to finish it strong. We’re running really well, we’re competitive. Obviously, off the track, having a baby was great. A lot of really good things are going on.”
—Brad Keselowski, NASCAR driver
Despite showing strong form and running among the top five in much of the Daytona race, Keselowski was unable to clinch a victory and missed out on playoff qualification. With four top-five finishes this season, he and the RFK Racing team have demonstrated perseverance and consistency, even as the postseason now continues without them.
Looking Ahead for Keselowski and RFK Racing
Keselowski’s innovative use of eye black emphasizes how small tweaks can deliver significant advantages in a sport where details make all the difference. His approach not only showcases creative problem-solving within the NASCAR world but also highlights the sport’s ever-evolving nature as drivers seek any edge to stay competitive. Off the track, the birth of his fourth child marks an important chapter for Keselowski and his family, while on the circuit, he continues to push for future victories alongside the RFK Racing team. Fans and competitors alike will be watching to see how his adaptability and resilience shape his performance next season.
