Brad Keselowski, serving both as co-owner and driver for RFK Racing, has voiced serious concerns about NASCAR’s approach to scheduling multiple road course races in a single Cup Series season. His candid remarks come after finishing 20th at the recent Circuit of the Americas event, highlighting his unique perspective on the impact of these races for sponsors, fans, and the sport’s overall direction.
Keselowski Questions NASCAR’s Commitment to Road Courses
Keselowski’s critical stance centers on the presence of four road course events slated for the 2026 Cup Series calendar. Reflecting on NASCAR’s increasing inclusion of such races, Keselowski conveyed his criticism through a clear business lens. He spoke to SpeedFreaks, articulating his viewpoint from both management and competitive roles, and said,
“I just put on my business owner hat and I don’t understand why the sport wants to run so many road course races. As a business owner, they are the hardest races to sell sponsors for. It has the lowest attendance. That doesn’t make sense to me. We should be going to places where the sponsors wanna be. Where the fans wanna be.”
— Brad Keselowski, Driver and Team Co-Owner
His comments highlight the challenge of attracting sponsorship and large crowds to road course venues, which contrasts with more traditional oval events where audience engagement and commercial participation tend to be higher. Keselowski’s critique is rooted in figures as well—poor TV ratings and diminished interest across vital business metrics.
Ovals Versus Road Courses: The Core of Fan Engagement
As the debate grows, Keselowski emphasized that NASCAR’s primary fan base strongly associates the sport with oval racing, suggesting the shift towards more road courses does not resonate with most supporters. He explained his view with,
“I think a lot of fans identify NASCAR with ovals. They understand the concept of what we are doing on ovals and enjoy it more than they do on road courses. That’s my perspective of what I see. I can’t speak for every fan.”
— Brad Keselowski, Driver and Team Co-Owner
Keselowski is not an outlier; several competitors in the Cup Series echo his sentiments about road course events. Despite criticism, NASCAR sees value in maintaining a diverse schedule, arguing that non-oval tracks bring variety and help attract younger audiences.
NASCAR’s Response and the Road Ahead
In response to vocal drivers and stakeholders, NASCAR has initiated changes to improve road course racing. Notably, horsepower for these events increased from 670 to 750 in the latest season—a move intended to address driver feedback, even if the on-track results have not radically shifted perceptions.
The commitment to experimenting with the Cup Series schedule illustrates a balancing act between preserving the sport’s identity and adapting to evolving audience tastes. While Keselowski’s concerns spotlight the tension between commercial realities and sporting innovation, the continued presence of road and street courses suggests NASCAR is not ready to abandon this formula just yet.
Brad Keselowski on road courses remains a focal point as the organization and the wider racing community debate how best to move the sport forward. With influential figures like Keselowski bringing business and driver perspectives to the table, NASCAR’s scheduling decisions will likely remain a hot topic for seasons to come.
Do you agree with @keselowski on the amount of road courses on the #NASCAR schedule? pic.twitter.com/6o8NA7Hybk
— SpeedFreaks (@SpeedFreaks) March 2, 2026
