RFK Racing COTA performance stood as a testament to determination and resilience on a hot Sunday in Austin, Texas. While the Circuit of the Americas event did not end in victory for the three-car operation, drivers Brad Keselowski, Ryan Preece, and Chris Buescher each displayed notable perseverance, delivering finishes of 18th, 20th, and 24th respectively after overcoming considerable adversity.
Ryan Preece Battles Through Adversity in Austin
Ryan Preece took the wheel of the #60 Castrol Ford Mustang under searing Texas heat, facing discomfort when his cool suit malfunctioned during the opening laps. Despite the loss of this essential driver aid, Preece remained focused, gaining ground and moving up by six positions before the first stage break—a display of the fortitude he’s repeatedly shown in his career.
After the initial stage, crew chief Derrick Finley called Preece to pit road for essential repairs, including an electrical reboot to resolve the cooling issue. This work, though necessary, left Preece further back in the field for the start of stage two. Refusing to be deterred, he continued advancing, and as the second stage concluded, another strategic pit stop set the #60 team up for the final segment.
The concluding stage saw Preece restart 14th and progress to 13th by lap 56 as the race’s longest segment unfolded. A caution on lap 74 temporarily set him back, dropping him to 21st after a round of pit stops. Still, Preece mounted a final surge and crossed the finish line in 18th place, earning respect for his resilience throughout the day.
“Just a tough up and down day,”
said Preece.
“We had some challenges but we fought through them as a team and recorded a respectable finish. We’re not satisfied by any means but we did beat more than half the field today so we’ll take that and head to Phoenix.”
—Ryan Preece, Driver
Brad Keselowski Proves Grit on the Road Course
Brad Keselowski piloted the #6 Graza Ford Mustang through 90 arduous laps at COTA, demonstrating determination after recently recovering from a broken femur suffered in a non-racing accident. The 2012 Cup Series champion, who has endured questions about his physical readiness, answered his critics with a competitive outing on the hottest day of the current season.
The race presented its fair share of difficulties for Keselowski: persistent handling issues and the quest for grip made the first two stages a test of patience and skill. Chief Jeremy Bullins and the pit crew executed substantial chassis adjustments and optimized the pit strategy, aiming to leverage any opportunity for improved track position.
With a well-timed stop just before the end of stage two, Keselowski began the final stretch in 20th, remaining firmly in the mix. He briefly climbed as high as 17th during the grueling last stage, ultimately claiming a hard-fought 20th at the checkered flag.
“We weren’t as fast as we wanted to be so it turned into a don’t beat yourself day,”
said Keselowski.
“Glad it’s over. Glad we were able to get something decent out of it. Not the day we wanted to have with the Graza Ford Mustang, but we have something we can move forward with, and I’m trying to appreciate that.”
—Brad Keselowski, Driver
Chris Buescher Fights Hard in Hometown Effort
Chris Buescher, driving the #17 Trimble Ford Mustang, hoped to extend his run of top ten results at his home track in Texas. The Prosper, TX native delivered a spirited drive, gaining two spots on the opening lap and finishing the first stage in fourth position, reinforcing his reputation as a strong road course competitor.
Stage two introduced further challenges, as Buescher’s car began to develop a tight handling condition. An early pit stop for adjustments had him restart 17th, but he continued to push forward. Unplanned contact left a divot in the nose of his Mustang, negatively impacting its aerodynamic efficiency and straightline speed.
A calculated pit call just before the end of stage two allowed Buescher to start ninth for the final run. While he was running in the top ten when a late-race caution appeared, subsequent pit activity led to a drop back in the order. As he attempted to regain lost ground, Buescher was caught up in a collision triggered by Kyle Busch and Jesse Love, resulting in a spin that relegated him to 30th. The Texan managed an impressive recovery, battling through the closing laps to secure a 24th-place result for RFK Racing.
“We were ok early and then we got some front end damage that affected our straightway speed,”
said Buescher.
“Then late in the race we kind of got caught back in the scrum of it and just got dumped.”
—Chris Buescher, Driver
Looking Ahead to Phoenix Raceway and Beyond
With the COTA event behind them, RFK Racing shifts focus to the next round at Phoenix Raceway, set to take place on March 8 at Avondale, AZ. Each member of the team, from drivers to crew chiefs like Derrick Finley and Jeremy Bullins, has shown commitment and the ability to fight through setbacks. The learnings from Texas provide momentum as the team continues in the NASCAR Cup Series.
RFK Racing: Legacy of Excellence and Innovation
RFK Racing, now in its 39th season, continues to be an influential force in motorsport. Founded by Jack Roush in 1988, the operation has achieved over three hundred wins and eight championships, including consecutive NASCAR Cup titles in 2003 and 2004. Brad Keselowski, both a team co-owner and the 2012 Cup Series champion, joined John Henry—the owner of renowned sports organizations including the Boston Red Sox, Liverpool F.C., and Pittsburgh Penguins—in solidifying RFK Racing’s place as a leader on and off the track.
Their marketing strategies and fan engagement efforts, including robust social media and digital campaigns, have set standards throughout NASCAR. With strong driving talent and a dedicated leadership team, RFK Racing’s pursuit of success pushes forward, fueled by the lessons learned at challenging venues like COTA.
RFK’s Determined Spirit Resonates With Fans
The results at COTA did not yield a podium, but RFK Racing demonstrated the grit and drive that resonate deeply with NASCAR enthusiasts and the faithful following. As each driver heads to Phoenix—carrying the scars and insights from Austin—RFK looks to turn hard-fought lessons into stronger outings, chasing ever higher in the Cup Series standings.
