RFK Racing concluded the 2025 NASCAR Cup Series season with an impressive performance at Phoenix Raceway, as Brad Keselowski finished second, Ryan Preece secured a spot in the top 10, and Chris Buescher placed inside the top 15. Throughout the high-stakes 312-lap event, the team’s Ford Mustangs demonstrated the competitive spirit and consistency that have defined RFK Racing NASCAR Cup Series efforts all season.
Keselowski’s Tenacity Takes Center Stage at Phoenix
Brad Keselowski, piloting the No. 6 Castrol Ford, started 19th and methodically climbed through the field, showcasing both the car’s pace and strategic acumen. Early in the race, Keselowski settled into the top 20 and reported that while the car handled well overall, there were some challenges exiting corners. The opening stretch was uninterrupted by cautions, and he rounded out Stage One in 19th position.
A fast pit stop allowed Keselowski to begin Stage Two from 17th place, making progress up to 14th before handling adjustments and pit strategy shuffled him outside the top 20. A timely caution during the stage enabled the No. 6 crew to recalibrate, and Keselowski regained momentum, ending Stage Two in 18th.
In the final stage, Keselowski’s car truly came alive. He broke into the top 15 soon after the restart, pushing into the top 10 by lap 258. A rapid pit stop under caution vaulted him to seventh for the key restart. Consistency kept him locked in the top 10, setting up a dramatic conclusion when a late-race caution led to overtime.
Crew Chief Jeremy Bullins made the bold call to keep Keselowski out for track position, lining him up on the front row for the decisive restart. Keselowski grabbed the lead as the white flag waved, charging toward what seemed like a sure victory, but Ryan Blaney managed to slip past in the last corner, leaving Keselowski with a heart-wrenching runner-up finish.
Ryan Preece Earns First Phoenix Top-10
Ryan Preece closed out the season with a breakthrough ninth-place result in the No. 60 Fry’s / CELSIUS Ford, overcoming early struggles and making significant gains in the latter stages. Preece began 21st, graduating to 24th by lap 20, and worked his way to 23rd near the halfway point of the opening stage. He noted that running the high line in Turns 1 and 2 improved the car’s feel, though tightness in the corners persisted. He ended Stage One in 23rd and came in for service during the stage break.
During a challenging Stage Two, Preece and his team worked to address a stubborn tight-handling condition, stopping early for new tires but finding the adjustments insufficient. After a lap 107 caution, further tweaks were made, yet the team finished the stage in 28th, still seeking the right setup for the final stretch.
Starting the last segment in 26th, Preece initially slipped back but gained speed on longer runs, entering the top 25 by lap 220. As the laps counted down and late cautions shuffled the order, sharp work on restarts enabled Preece to move from 17th to 11th with under 30 laps left. When a final caution sent the race to overtime, Crew Chief Derrick Finley opted to keep Preece on track, placing him in prime position for the closing sprint. Preece defended his spot well and crossed the line ninth, achieving his first-ever top-10 finish at Phoenix.
Buescher Wraps Up with Solid Drive into Top 15
Chris Buescher brought the No. 17 Body Guard Ford home in 12th, a result that capped a steady and competitive end to his season. Having started from ninth, Buescher initially dropped to 12th but fought his way back into the top 10, overtaking competitors like Daniel Suarez, Josh Berry, and Chase Briscoe to complete Stage One in ninth. Buescher observed that his car performed better on long runs, though a lack of rear grip became apparent as the race progressed.
After a pit stop for tires and fuel under caution, Buescher restarted Stage Two in eighth, but a sequence of aggressive restarts saw him pushed out of the top 10. Despite multiple adjustments, he finished the middle stage in 14th while struggling to regain track position amid the scrambles.
Stage Three brought further challenges coping with long-run handling, but Buescher managed to run as high as 10th during one of the caution periods. He continued to exchange positions within the top 15, notably battling with Ricky Stenhouse Jr. and others. Strategic decisions regarding pit stops late in the race allowed Buescher to solidify his spot, earning a respectable 12th-place finish at the checkered flag.
Resilient Teamwork Closes Out the Season
The season-ending race saw all three RFK Racing entries navigate a challenging Phoenix layout, handle strategic gambles, and exhibit adaptability under pressure. Drivers Brad Keselowski, Ryan Preece, and Chris Buescher each showcased their talent and composure through the intense final laps, with momentum swings dictated by timely cautions, late-race restarts, and pit strategy — all set against the high-energy backdrop that defines the NASCAR Cup Series.
The push for a win by Keselowski, supported by Jeremy Bullins’ gutsy call, nearly resulted in a victory, while Ryan Preece and Derrick Finley crafted a late-race charge that delivered a breakthrough top-10. Meanwhile, Chris Buescher’s measured approach rounded out a year of consistent competitiveness for the No. 17 squad. Throughout the finale, every name in the RFK Racing organization played a role in closing the campaign with optimism and energy.
Looking Ahead: Building Momentum into the Next Season
RFK Racing’s strong showing at Phoenix Raceway caps a season that underlines the organization’s progress and potential heading into another year in the RFK Racing NASCAR Cup Series. Drivers like Keselowski, Preece, and Buescher, along with key figures such as Jeremy Bullins and Derrick Finley, have set a high bar, demonstrating racing skill, tactical insight, and resilience. The results from Phoenix, against formidable competitors like Daniel Suarez, Josh Berry, Chase Briscoe, and Ricky Stenhouse Jr., affirm that RFK Racing remains a force to be reckoned with. As the team shifts its attention to the future, the foundation laid this season offers hope for even greater success as the next NASCAR Cup Series campaign approaches.
