Brad Keselowski leadership impact has made a significant difference for Ryan Preece after Stewart-Haas Racing’s closure, providing him a fresh opportunity at RFK Racing for the 2025 NASCAR Cup Series season. Preece’s resurgence in performance and mindset highlights how the influence of Keselowski and the supportive RFK Racing team changed the trajectory of his career in Phoenix and beyond.
Preece Lands at RFK Racing After Stewart-Haas Shutdown
When Stewart-Haas Racing ceased operations last year, its drivers quickly secured new opportunities—Josh Berry, Noah Gragson, and Chase Briscoe all found fresh seats. Ryan Preece, however, faced uncertainty until Brad Keselowski intervened by offering him a chance at RFK Racing. This decision proved pivotal, as Preece soon began not only racing competitively but also finding renewed enthusiasm for his profession.
Preece’s Best Cup Series Season Yet
The 2025 season has become Preece’s most successful in the Cup Series. He achieved pole position once, logged three top five finishes, recorded 13 top ten results, and led 133 laps. With an average finish of 15.8 leading into the Phoenix finale, his performance clearly reflects the positive shift catalyzed by the new environment provided by the RFK Racing team and Keselowski’s guidance.
Mental Shift: Focusing Solely on Driving
For Preece, the improvement is not merely visible in statistics, but in the transformation of his approach. He found a new sense of enjoyment by stepping back from multitasking and choosing to concentrate exclusively on driving, leaving the technical and strategic duties to his team. In the Phoenix press conference, Preece opened up about this significant change, noting that he was once entangled in various roles, from driver to self-designated strategist and partial crew chief.
“I feel like in the final 10-12 races last year, I came to terms that as much as I was trying to help, I was doing more harm,”
Preece, Driver
Trusting his team and channeling all his energy into performing in the car, Preece changed his mindset going into 2025, further unlocking his potential on the track.
How RFK Racing’s Structure Inspired Improvement
Preece attributes much of his progress to the supportive structure at RFK Racing under Keselowski’s leadership. The culture built by Keselowski helped Preece embrace collaboration and rely fully on the expertise around him. This fresh approach, centered on trust and teamwork, has been fundamental to his turnaround.
“So, a change in mindset was probably a big piece of that, as well as coming over to RFK and seeing what Brad’s been able to help build and continue to build back up of what we can be.”
Preece, Driver
“We’re all frustrated we didn’t make the playoffs, but there’s a ton of potential between all three of us, and I’m excited for that. For me, it was probably a change in mindset as well as a great group of people that came together and are working on accomplishing the goal. That’s probably the biggest thing I can give you.”
Preece, Driver
The Influence and Vision of Brad Keselowski
Brad Keselowski, a past Cup champion, became not just Preece’s boss but a mentor whose forward-thinking and hands-on approach set the tone for RFK Racing. Preece shared that he initially didn’t realize the full scope of Keselowski’s involvement and leadership style until after joining the team, finding his perspective profoundly influenced by Keselowski’s work ethic and strategic mindset.
“I think the biggest thing that opened my eyes to him is he’s a forward thinker. He’s not complacent. He’s always looking to continue to improve all aspects of the company. It doesn’t matter if it’s the race cars, the marketing, or the hospitality side, he’s a forward thinker, and that’s a huge part if you want to be successful on and off the track in racing, so that surprised me a lot. He’s very, very hands-on.”
Preece, Driver
Preece’s Future Outlook With RFK Racing
Though finishing 18th in the season’s standings, Preece’s confidence, composure, and collaboration have grown significantly under Keselowski’s guidance at RFK. These foundational improvements suggest his best racing is yet to come. With the momentum he’s built at RFK Racing and Keselowski’s ongoing leadership, Preece and the #60 Ford Mustang will likely be strong contenders in the playoff battle next season, fueled by renewed optimism and a deepened focus on the team’s collective goals.
