Brad Keselowski has opened up about his journey through NASCAR, reflecting on how working with different car owners shaped his approach and contributed to his success, with candid thoughts that offer rare Brad Keselowski NASCAR career insights. In a recent conversation, Keselowski discussed his career highlights, lessons learned from prominent owners, and his ongoing efforts with RFK Racing.
Learning from Legendary NASCAR Owners
During an interview on the Stacking Pennies podcast, hosted by part-time Cup Series driver Corey LaJoie, Brad Keselowski provided a detailed look at the influential figures who have played pivotal roles in his racing career. The 2012 NASCAR Cup Series champion, who now serves as a co-owner at RFK Racing and races the #6 car, spoke about his former bosses Rick Hendrick, Roger Penske, and current colleague Jack Roush.
Keselowski acknowledged that each owner brought something unique to the table, emphasizing their individual approaches and contributions. Over his career, Keselowski has had to balance his own innovative ideas with absorbing the vast experience and methods from these industry leaders.
He reflected thoughtfully,
“They all bring different strengths to the table. I try to bring a few my own things but there’s enough to learn from those three to be successful in its own way. There’s things I really loved about working with Roger Penske. He was super committed to having nice stuff, having long-term partnerships, and there’s a lot of things that I was very privileged to be a part of there.”
— Brad Keselowski, NASCAR Driver and Co-Owner.
Keselowski further noted the distinct qualities of each owner:
“Same thing with Rick Hendrick. Rick Hendrick was probably the best people I’ve ever seen in my life. Understood how to motivate people, how to push them to be their best, while still holding them accountable. Then, Jack Roush is, to me, the best person I’ve ever seen working within the lanes of accountability. Really, really good at immediate, effective accountability. So, all three of them are like, ‘OK, there’s something to be learned here.’”
— Brad Keselowski, NASCAR Driver and Co-Owner.
Career Highlights and Team Transitions
Keselowski’s Cup Series journey began in 2009 when he raced part-time for Hendrick Motorsports. He transitioned to Team Penske the following year, remaining for 12 seasons. It was with Penske that he achieved the majority of his career milestones, including 34 Cup victories out of his 36 total, and the coveted 2012 championship.
After over a decade with Team Penske, Keselowski became a co-owner at RFK Racing in 2022, partnering with Jack Roush. This collaboration marked a new chapter, as the team expanded into a three-car operation in the competitive Cup Series field.
Pushing Through Recent Challenges
The 2025 NASCAR Cup Series season has been particularly challenging for Keselowski. Despite being known for his resilience and consistent results, he missed the playoffs for the first time since 2022 and has averaged a 19.4 finishing position across 30 races. While Keselowski managed five top-five results, securing a win has remained elusive this season.
Keselowski did end a lengthy winless stretch in May 2024, capturing a dramatic victory for RFK Racing at Darlington, which snapped a three-year period without reaching victory lane. However, with just six races remaining, he faces the possibility of completing a season without a win for the third time in four years.
Looking Forward for RFK Racing and Keselowski
As the NASCAR Cup Series approaches its season finale, Brad Keselowski remains focused on driving RFK Racing to improved results. Drawing on insights and strategies from leaders like Rick Hendrick, Roger Penske, and Jack Roush, Keselowski continues to search for competitive advantages to help his organization and further his own legacy. Observers will be watching closely to see if Keselowski can turn momentum in his favor, leveraging both experience and passion in a sport where adaptability is crucial for long-term success.
