Chip Bowers, renowned for his leadership experience with the Golden State Warriors’ championship teams, has joined RFK Racing as president, aiming to ignite a new chapter of RFK Racing leadership and championships. Bowers’ arrival comes as the team seeks to end a year-long Cup victory drought, with eyes set on reclaiming title glory in NASCAR.
Bowers Brings Championship Pedigree to RFK Racing
Announced last week, Bowers’ hiring is viewed as a strategic move to revitalize RFK Racing and lead it toward its next major success. Previously, Bowers played key roles with championship-winning organizations, most notably overseeing the marketing department at the Golden State Warriors during their three NBA title wins. His leadership portfolio also spans executive roles with the Miami Marlins, San Diego Padres, Seattle SuperSonics, and Orlando Magic, as well as a tenure as president of fan-experience firm Elevate.
This wealth of experience is central to Bowers’ approach with RFK Racing, where his mandate extends beyond day-to-day management to embedding a culture of high expectations and operational excellence. In addition to his NBA successes, Bowers’ influence as a leader is grounded in aligning organizations from top to bottom, ensuring that visions of victory are consistently shared and acted upon by all.
Aiming to Transform Team Culture and Performance
Bowers attended his first race as team president at Kansas Speedway, stepping into a role previously held by Steve Newmark, who had led the team for nearly 15 years before accepting a collegiate athletic director position at the University of North Carolina. The timing of Bowers’ leadership shift is crucial: RFK Racing last celebrated a Cup title in 2004 with Kurt Busch, and since then, has been runner-up in points four times, most recently in 2011 when Carl Edwards tied for the championship but lost to Tony Stewart due to a tiebreaker.
With just five races left in the current Cup season — beginning with Sunday’s competition at the Charlotte Roval — RFK Racing is facing heightened pressure to perform. Chris Buescher, the highest-ranked team driver, sits 17th in points, narrowly missing the playoffs by 31 points, while teammates Ryan Preece and team co-owner Brad Keselowski are close behind. The organization’s last win was achieved by Buescher in September 2024 at Watkins Glen, though RFK Racing has secured four runner-up finishes since then.
Blueprint for Sustained Competitive Success
Bowers is clear about his vision, drawing inspiration from influential thinkers and focusing on the small, crucial details that can trigger breakthrough moments. He explained his strategy and mindset to NBC Sports, referencing a well-known theory.
“To use a Malcolm Gladwell point of view is we’re going to prepare ourselves for the tipping point,”
Bowers told NBC Sports, highlighting the idea that minor adjustments can drive significant results. — Chip Bowers, President, RFK Racing
He went further to stress the standards he expects to set within the team:
“We’re going to operate as if we’re going to win a Cup championship. We’re going to operate as if we’re going to win every single week, so that when we accomplish that, which we will, then we’ll be able to capitalize and compound on all the success this organization has had, creating that sustainability that we’re looking for and really, at the end of the day, prove the authenticity of our message to everyone that’s paying attention. That’s our number one objective.”
— Chip Bowers, President, RFK Racing
Bowers considers organizational unity and transparent communication key factors that drove his prior teams to world championships. He emphasizes that all team members, on and off the track, must understand and value each other’s roles to succeed at the highest level. He describes his approach as supportive and highly collaborative, where listening and asking questions are as important as decision-making.
“This is what we’re looking for you to do day in and day out and so it becomes part of your DNA. It’s how we hire. It’s how we think about scaling the organization. What does this mean to us? Does this allow us to reach our goals and objectives of winning on the track and off the track? So that when we do that work and we fulfill our promise internally, it makes it a lot easier for us to do the same externally and that makes it a lot easier for our fans to embrace and believe in the direction of this organization as well as our partners.”
— Chip Bowers, President, RFK Racing
Significance for RFK Racing’s Immediate and Long-Term Future
With extensive experience stretching across several of the world’s leading sports leagues, Bowers’ arrival marks a pivotal moment for RFK Racing as it battles to return to victory lane and recapture championship status. Working with co-owner Brad Keselowski and a roster of capable drivers like Chris Buescher and Ryan Preece, Bowers’ strategic focus is poised to reshape both the culture and results at the organization.
As the season approaches its final races, the expectation is that under Bowers’ leadership, the team will embody a renewed drive and professionalism, striving toward the high standards set during Golden State’s championship years. Fans and partners alike will be watching closely to see how this blend of experience, vision, and passion impacts RFK Racing’s course, making the quest for championships not just aspirational, but achievable once again.
