Brad Keselowski, aiming for his first victory in the Phoenix NASCAR Cup Series, will begin Sunday’s Straight Talk Wireless 500 from the final row after a tire failure in practice forced him into a backup car. The incident during Saturday’s session at Phoenix leaves Keselowski, a key figure at RFK Racing and both driver and co-owner, starting from the 37th position on the grid.
Tire Failure in Practice Forces Keselowski to Back Row Start
Saturday’s Cup Series practice session brought unexpected trouble for Brad Keselowski as his right front tire failed entering turn three. The blowout sent his Consumer Cellular Ford into the outside barrier, inflicting significant damage that could not be repaired in time.
The crash forced Keselowski to switch to a backup car and miss the scheduled qualifying round, which automatically places him at the tail end of the 37-car field for Sunday’s Phoenix race. This setback complicates his quest for a breakthrough win at this particular venue.
Keselowski Shares Account of Crash and Outlook for the Race
After the incident, Keselowski spoke with FOX motorsports reporter Bob Pockrass, clearly frustrated yet focused on making the most of the situation. Explaining what transpired, he said:
“Just blew a tire entering turn three and destroyed the car. We’ll bring out the backup and be ready for Sunday,”
Brad Keselowski, RFK Racing co-owner and driver.
The 42-year-old driver stressed that even with recent injuries, including a broken femur from a December ski trip, he was physically unharmed in the crash. His attention quickly turned to the challenge of competing from a backup car and recovering from his compromised starting spot. Keselowski reassured that the backup car was well-prepared for such emergencies, stating:
“Obviously, not what you would want to do, but the way we have the car set up, it’s prepared very well for that type of incident,”
Brad Keselowski, RFK Racing co-owner and driver.
Widespread Tire Issues Affect Several Drivers
The tire issues that plagued Keselowski were not isolated. Other drivers facing similar misfortune in Saturday’s practice included Tyler Reddick, Riley Herbst, and Chris Buescher, Keselowski’s teammate at RFK Racing. The frequency of tire blowouts brought concern to the garage, echoing problems that surfaced during last year’s Cup Series championship race at Phoenix.
Keselowski admitted that these tire failures raise anxiety for Sunday’s main event, offering a transparent take on the team’s caution and lingering uncertainty:
“I’d be a fool to not say we’re really concerned after just blowing a tire out. I can tell you we saw my teammate, Chris Buescher, blow a tire out. We went super conservative with everything and still blew out. So, I don’t know,”
Brad Keselowski, RFK Racing co-owner and driver.
Keeselowski Perseveres Despite Recent Injuries
Though Keselowski is still recovering from the broken femur suffered on a ski trip before the 2026 NASCAR season, he has participated in every points-paying event so far, only skipping the Cook Out Clash exhibition at Bowman Gray Stadium. He continues to manage the aftereffects of the injury, balancing recovery and performance throughout the early part of the season.
Discussing the challenges of racing while still healing, Keselowski was candid about the physical demands but optimistic about his continued strength and resilience:
“There are little setbacks that come from driving the car of dehydration or just the workload in general. With a day or two of recovery, I’ve been able to come back even stronger [for] each of the three races we’ve had so far,”
Brad Keselowski, RFK Racing co-owner and driver.
As he enters his fifth full season as driver and co-owner at RFK Racing, Keselowski adds another hurdle to his journey at Phoenix. He previously earned a win with the team at Darlington in May 2024.
What Lies Ahead for Keselowski and RFK Racing
Starting from the back at Phoenix will force Keselowski and his RFK Racing crew to rely on strategy, patience, and a well-prepared backup car if they want to make up ground. With tire problems looming over several competitors and the memory of similar issues at Phoenix a year ago, the team’s performance and adaptability will be closely watched. Sunday’s race will not only test Keselowski’s recovery and racing acumen but also shed light on tire durability for the entire NASCAR Cup Series field.
Brad Keselowski says he is fine, no aggravation to his leg injury. Will need to go to a backup and does have a concern about tires. @NASCARONFOX pic.twitter.com/R4ZnqSWGF3
— Bob Pockrass (@bobpockrass) March 7, 2026
