RFK Racing heads to Phoenix Raceway this weekend with high hopes and history on its side, as Brad Keselowski seeks a long-awaited breakthrough at the iconic 1-mile oval. With the spring race set for Sunday, March 8, in Avondale, Arizona, the team aims to leverage its storied past and determined driver lineup to achieve new success in the 2026 NASCAR Cup Series season. The focus keyword, RFK Racing Phoenix Raceway Advance, underscores the anticipation surrounding the team’s performance at a track where they are no strangers to victory lane.
Phoenix Weekend Details and Race Format
Phoenix Raceway will host the fourth points race of the current Cup Series schedule, running 312 laps over 312 miles, with stage breaks at laps 60, 185, and the finish at 312. The action-packed weekend begins with Saturday’s practice at noon ET, followed by qualifying at 1:10 p.m. ET, and culminates in Sunday’s race at 3:30 p.m. Coverage will be provided by FS1 on television and MRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio for audio broadcasts.
RFK Racing Entry Overview and Key Personalities
RFK Racing will enter three distinct teams into this crucial event. The No. 6 Ford features veteran Brad Keselowski, guided by crew chief Jeremy Bullins with support from Consumer Cellular. Chris Buescher pilots the No. 17, led by chief Scott Graves and partners Fry’s, Artesano, and Kraft. Meanwhile, the No. 60 car sees Ryan Preece teaming with crew chief Derrick Finley and sponsorship from Body Guard. Each driver represents a unique mix of experience, motivation, and untapped potential heading into Phoenix.
Brad Keselowski’s Quest for Triumph at Phoenix
This weekend marks Keselowski’s 34th Cup start at Phoenix, a venue where he has assembled 15 top-10 finishes and earned two pole positions—in 2014 and 2021. Despite not having won the race yet, Keselowski’s consistent performances stand out, especially his second-place finish in last year’s finale, where he came perilously close to victory by leading with just laps remaining.
Across his 33 previous Phoenix starts, Keselowski averages a 13.9 finish and has led 290 laps over 16 different events. Notably, he has seven top-10s in spring editions of the race and has qualified inside the top-ten nine times, including three front-row starts. Keselowski’s record extends to the Xfinity Series, where he boasts two victories at Phoenix—including a 2018 win for Team Penske—and 15 top-10s in 21 NXS starts. He also logged two starts in the Truck Series at this track, capped by a sixth-place finish for his own BKR team.
Chris Buescher’s Evolving Relationship with Phoenix
Buescher is set for his 21st Cup Series start at Phoenix and has found new confidence on the 1-mile oval, registering four top-10s over his last five visits. His best Cup starting position at Phoenix was ninth in last year’s fall event. Buescher has also competed in four Xfinity Series events in Arizona with a best finish of twelfth for Jack Roush in 2014.
“For a large part of my career, I wanted to burn Phoenix down to the ground,”
said Buescher during his media availability at COTA. He added:
“We are in a better headspace now because we have been good there. Fixes a lot of things as a race car driver when you go to a track and your more competitive.”
– Chris Buescher, RFK Racing Driver
Ryan Preece’s Drive for a Breakout at Phoenix
Ryan Preece continues to chase his first points-paying Cup victory, bringing determination from a strong effort at COTA into Phoenix. Despite finishing 15th in this spring event a year ago, Preece showcased his skill by leading 34 laps and deploying race strategy smartly with the then-available option tire. He closed the 2023 season at Phoenix with a career-best ninth-place result and set his personal best qualifying effort at twelfth. As he makes his 14th Cup appearance at the desert track, Preece is hungry to capitalize on a venue where opportunity could finally turn into a maiden win.
RFK Racing’s Storied Success in Phoenix Desert
Phoenix has been fertile ground for RFK Racing, historically yielding seven Cup wins and a total of 17 victories among NASCAR’s top three series. The organization’s first success at the track arrived with Mark Martin’s 1993 Cup victory, setting a precedent for future wins by drivers like Jeff Burton (2000, 2001), Matt Kenseth (2002), Kurt Busch (2005), and Carl Edwards (2010, 2013).
In terms of volume, RFK’s Phoenix efforts are impressive: 315 combined starts, 17 wins, 80 top-five and 142 top-ten finishes, and nine poles, with more than 4,000 laps led on the 1-mile circuit. Six different drivers have claimed NASCAR victories for RFK at Phoenix, including Greg Biffle and Joe Ruttman. The Xfinity Series has also been kind to RFK, delivering eight wins—second only to tallies at enduring mainstays like Charlotte or Darlington.
A Chronology of RFK Wins in Phoenix
RFK Racing’s winning history in Phoenix encompasses many of the sport’s greats:
1993 – Mark Martin (Cup)
1997-2 – Joe Ruttman (Truck)
2000 – Jeff Burton (Cup)
2000 – Jeff Burton (NXS)
2001 – Greg Biffle (Truck)
2001 – Jeff Burton (Cup)
2001 – Greg Biffle (NXS)
2002 – Matt Kenseth (Cup)
2005-1 – Kurt Busch (Cup)
2005-2 – Carl Edwards (NXS)
2006-2 – Matt Kenseth (NXS)
2008-2 – Carl Edwards (NXS)
2009-1 – Greg Biffle (NXS)
2009-2 – Carl Edwards (NXS)
2010-2 – Carl Edwards (Cup)
2010-2 – Carl Edwards (NXS)
2013-1 – Carl Edwards (Cup)
RFK’s Recent Outings and Current Standings
RFK Racing recently faced down a challenging event at Circuit of the Americas, where grit defined the efforts of all three drivers. Ryan Preece overcame technical difficulties to secure 18th, demonstrating fortitude that bodes well for Phoenix. Brad Keselowski, still on the mend from a significant injury, endured a grueling race for 20th, while Chris Buescher returned from adversity—including a late spin and damaged nose—to claim 24th place. The tenacity of the Preece, Keselowski, and Buescher trio earned quiet respect, even in the absence of top results. In the current points standings, Buescher sits 11th, Keselowski 12th, and Preece 16th—each within striking distance of solidifying their playoff outlook as the season hits its stride.
Significance and What Lies Ahead for RFK at Phoenix Raceway
The return to Phoenix presents both pressure and promise for RFK Racing, whose legacy at this circuit is built by the likes of Mark Martin, Jeff Burton, Greg Biffle, and Carl Edwards. Brad Keselowski in particular stands on the brink of potential triumph, aiming to convert past near-misses into a defining Cup Series victory. With Chris Buescher’s newfound confidence, Ryan Preece’s relentless pursuit of a breakthrough, and a collective history rich in desert dominance, RFK Racing is positioned for renewed glory. As Phoenix Raceway’s green flag waves this Sunday, the team’s resolve and expertise will be put to the test, capturing the attention of fans eager to see if Keselowski and his teammates can add the next chapter to RFK’s storied Arizona tale.
“For a large part of my career, I wanted to burn Phoenix down to the ground,”
– Chris Buescher, RFK Racing Driver
“We are in a better headspace now because we have been good there. Fixes a lot of things as a race car driver when you go to a track and your more competitive.”
– Chris Buescher, RFK Racing Driver
