RFK Racing made headlines at EchoPark Speedway near Atlanta on Sunday, with Ryan Preece delivering a top-10 finish amidst cold conditions and fierce competition. The RFK Racing EchoPark Speedway Results showcased the team’s resilience, with Brad Keselowski, Chris Buescher, and Preece all battling through challenges to finish in the top 20.
Preece Pushes Through to Top-10 on Chilly Atlanta Afternoon
Despite an unusually cold “Hotlanta” race day, the RFK Racing drivers adapted quickly. Ryan Preece, piloting the #60 Kroger/Red Baron Ford Mustang, started the race battling for grip on the chilly track, struggling in the low 40-degree temperatures. Early difficulties did not deter Preece or his team, as they worked closely to find the right adjustments. Throughout the opening stage, Preece communicated regularly with crew chief Derrick Finley, providing feedback to enhance the car’s performance as the afternoon progressed.
Strategic changes paid off in the second stage. Restarting from 28th, Preece’s car saw improved balance, allowing him to steadily advance through the field. By lap 100, Preece had climbed to 15th and continued to make gains as the stage neared its conclusion. His outside-lane move in the closing laps propelled him to a seventh-place finish in stage two, making him a clear contender as the race intensified.
Late Race Drama and Overtime Lifts Preece to Ninth
Heading into the final stage, a new sense of optimism emerged for Preece after a rapid pit stop positioned him among the top five starters. As the competition heated up, Preece remained both focused and controlled, even as repeated cautions created a dramatic sprint to the checkered flag. Maneuvering through an overtime finale, Preece maintained his composure and crossed the finish in ninth, marking a determined drive in a tough field.
“We made some adjustments and our Kroger/Red Baron Ford Mustang Dark Horse drove way better,”
said Preece.
“I think moving forward, when we come back here to Atlanta, I’ll feel way more confident, and I think we can have quite a bit more success.”
– Ryan Preece, Driver
Buescher Battles for Position Amidst Cautions
Chris Buescher, fresh from a strong Daytona 500 performance, brought the #17 Body Guard Ford Mustang to EchoPark Speedway with momentum on his side. Early in the race, Buescher faced issues with grip and struggled to use the outside groove. Crew chief Scott Graves made crucial setup changes between stages, allowing Buescher to find speed in new lines as stage two began. Despite being disrupted by several caution periods, Buescher moved up to finish 17th in the second stage.
Not content with mid-pack results, the #17 team employed a two-tire strategy to gain vital track position between stages, pushing Buescher into the top five for the final segment. Buescher narrowly avoided being caught in a multi-car crash, sustaining no significant damage and continuing the fight. As the race culminated in dramatic overtime, Buescher managed to finish a hard-earned 15th, showing grit and consistency despite multiple setbacks.
“We kind of survived it and got the handling a little bit better, especially as nighttime came, and just wasn’t able to move our lane there at the end, and I got bottled up on the bottom,”
said Buescher.
“It should have been a lot better.”
– Chris Buescher, Driver
Keselowski’s Comeback Continues with Strong Stints at the Front
In just his second race since recovering from a significant femur injury, Brad Keselowski demonstrated resilience and speed driving the #6 BuildSubmarines.com Ford Mustang. Starting fifth, Keselowski grabbed the lead on lap 24 and continued to run strong, though his car’s balance shifted as the race unfolded, costing him valuable track position mid-run.
Crew chief Jeremy Bullins worked diligently to help Keselowski recapture the car’s early pace, resulting in noticeable improvements as the race progressed. Keselowski capitalized on restarts, climbing back inside the top 10 and finishing ninth in stage two. Entering the final stage along with RFK Racing teammates, Keselowski surged back to the front, briefly recapturing the lead in the closing 40 laps. A sequence of late-race cautions and an overtime sprint ultimately left Keselowski in 17th by the finish, but his race was highlighted by speed and determination in his return to full-time competition.
“It didn’t end great, but there were times we had a lot of speed. We were just missing a little bit of handling to keep it there at the end.”
– Brad Keselowski, Driver
The Road Ahead: RFK Racing Eyes Circuit of The Americas
Following another eventful outing at EchoPark Speedway, RFK Racing will shift their focus to the upcoming NASCAR Cup Series race at Circuit of The Americas (COTA) in Austin, TX. Scheduled for Sunday, March 1, the event will offer drivers Preece, Buescher, and Keselowski further opportunities to capitalize on their recent performances and build momentum as the season progresses. With each driver showing flashes of speed and moments of determination, RFK remains a team to watch as the series heads to Texas.
