RFK Racing returns to EchoPark Speedway in Hampton, Georgia, on Sunday, February 22, as the NASCAR Cup Series enters its second event of the season. The team is aiming to leverage its historic strengths at the track to make a strong impression, with all eyes on the evolving RFK Racing EchoPark Speedway rivalry and quest for victory.
The event will unfold over 260 laps, with stage breaks at lap 60, lap 160, and a final showdown at lap 260. Coverage begins at 3:00 p.m. ET on FOX, with radio broadcast through PRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio.
Event Schedule and Key Details
The weekend’s action starts Saturday at 11:00 a.m. ET, when qualifying sessions set the field for Sunday’s race. Fans can catch all the action on FS1 or listen live via PRN and SiriusXM. Sunday’s feature race follows at 3:00 p.m., where the best drivers will battle on the challenging 1.54-mile oval in Hampton, Georgia.
This marks the second consecutive speedway contest to open the Cup Series season, building momentum for drivers and teams eager to establish their 2026 championship credentials early.
RFK Racing’s Track Record at EchoPark Speedway
RFK Racing has forged an impressive legacy at EchoPark Speedway, securing 13 wins across NASCAR’s three major touring series. This includes 6 Cup Series victories, with notable contributions from legends like Mark Martin, Kurt Busch, and Carl Edwards. The organization first competed at this venue in 1988 and quickly established itself as a frontrunner, earning its inaugural win in the fall of 1991 under Jack Roush’s leadership.
In total, RFK Racing’s presence at EchoPark Speedway features 288 starts, 61 top-five finishes, 117 top-tens, nine pole positions, and over 3,300 laps led. Their strongest season came in 2005, marked by two victories and six top-five finishes across two races at the Atlanta-based track, including a standout showing with four cars in the top seven during the fall event.
Historically, most RFK Cup Series wins at this track have come during fall events. Only one spring win was recorded in 2005, highlighting the challenge and unpredictability of the season’s earlier race.
Current RFK Racing Lineup and Team Dynamics
Brad Keselowski (driver of the No. 6 BuildSubmarines.com Ford), Chris Buescher (No. 17 Body Guard Ford), and Ryan Preece (No. 60 Kroger/Red Baron Ford) return as RFK’s flag bearers for the EchoPark Speedway event. Keselowski is guided by crew chief Jeremy Bullins, Buescher by Scott Graves, and Preece by Derrick Finley.
In the most recent EchoPark Speedway outing, all three RFK entries led laps, demonstrating the team’s across-the-board competitiveness. Keselowski was particularly strong, leading 46 laps on his way to a second-place finish. Buescher contributed 15 laps at the front and finished ninth, while Preece led for 3 laps and took 15th place.
Brad Keselowski’s Experience and Momentum
Brad Keselowski brings a wealth of experience to this weekend, with 22 prior EchoPark Speedway starts, including two trips to victory lane—in the spring of 2017 and again in 2019. His consistent performance is further highlighted by 12 top-ten finishes and a career-best starting position of second in 2014. He’s posted eight top-ten starting spots overall, including fourth in the spring race of 2022.
Fresh off a hard-fought fifth place at the Daytona 500, Keselowski enters the event following a remarkable comeback from a significant leg injury last year. He’s shown success in other series at EchoPark as well, with six top-tens and two runner-up finishes in eight Xfinity Series appearances, plus four career starts in the Truck Series.
Chris Buescher’s Steady Progress at EchoPark Speedway
Chris Buescher heads into his 16th Cup start at EchoPark Speedway riding the momentum of a seventh-place finish at the Daytona 500. Although he is still pursuing his first win at this track, Buescher’s consistency shows in five top-ten finishes, including best results of seventh in both 2021 and 2022, and ninth in the past three events (2019, 2024, and 2025). His average qualifying position stands at 16.9, and he has started inside the top ten in each of the last three spring races at EchoPark.
Ryan Preece’s Building Strength and Recent Achievements
Ryan Preece, entering his 11th Cup Series start at EchoPark Speedway, continues to make strides with recent notable performances. This season, Preece has already tasted victory in the Cook Out Clash and scored a modified race win at New Smyrna Speedway. In last year’s fall race at EchoPark, he matched his best finish at the track with 15th place, and previously started as high as fifth. His current average starting position is 20.5, and his recent form suggests the potential to climb further up the leaderboard this weekend.
The Ongoing Legacy of Jack Roush and RFK Racing at EchoPark
Jack Roush’s enduring impact on the sport is woven into RFK Racing’s track record at EchoPark Speedway. Since the organization’s debut in Atlanta over three decades ago, it has amassed a collection of milestone wins and storied performances. From Mark Martin’s victories in the early 1990s to Carl Edwards’ two triumphs in 2005, the team’s identity is closely tied to moments of success on this iconic oval.
RFK’s ability to adapt and thrive—from the first Cup event in 1988 to recent outings—remains a defining aspect as the 2026 season unfolds. With a blend of seasoned veterans and emerging talent, RFK Racing eyes another chapter of its EchoPark Speedway story this Sunday, seeking to harness its legacy and add a new victory to the record books.
