In 2017 when Brad Keselowski first announced that he would be getting rid of his venture – Brad Keselowski Racing, it took the entire community in shock. People speculated what could be the reason behind such a sharp move. Soon it was evident that the 2010 Xfinity Series Champion had better things on his plate. 

Since stepping into an ownership role at RFK Racing, Keselowski has led the team through significant transformations. From procedural and aesthetic updates to their headquarters to expanding their presence in the NASCAR Cup Series, Keselowski’s leadership has been instrumental in the team’s resurgence. 

Closing down Brad Keselowski Racing was inevitable

Brad Keselowski Racing was one of the very first endeavors that Keselowski had taken up and the vision was to build a pioneering racing team. The journey for the team began in 2007, stepping into the ARCA Racing Series with promise. In its debut season, Robb Brent piloted the No. 00 to a top-10 finish at Nashville Superspeedway. Over the years, BKR nurtured young talent like Chad Finley, who secured his first pole at Rockingham in 2009.

In 2008, BKR expanded into the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series, with Keselowski himself earning a solid sixth-place finish at Phoenix. The No. 19 truck saw victories with Tyler Reddick, who finished second in the 2015 standings, and Austin Cindric, who claimed his first win at Canadian Tire Motorsports Park in 2017. The No. 2 truck also featured rising stars like Austin Theriault and Cindric. Speaking of the heartbreak that he had to go through while closing down the team, he said, “In 2017, when I shut down the truck team, we had BKR. It was a difficult decision, but it was certainly made with an eye to the future, looking at other opportunities and trying to be more well-rounded—not knowing exactly what those opportunities would be.”

After Keselowski assumed his new duties as a co-owner in 2022, there had been stellar improvements for the Roush Fenway Keselowski Racing team. Under his tenure, RFK Racing has secured six race victories from 2022 to 2024. From those wins, five came from Chris Buescher in the #17 car. Keselowski himself notched his first win for the team in 2023 at Darlington Raceway. One of the most notable milestones under Keselowski’s leadership has been the addition of a third charter for the 2025 NASCAR Cup Series season. This marks the first time since 2016 that RFK Racing will field three drivers in the series, signaling a period of growth and stability.

His transition from driver to team owner hasn’t been without its challenges. When Brad Keselowski took over, he knew there was a lot of work to be done, but that was part of the excitement. Speaking of the adrenaline rush that guided him during this transition, Keselowski said, “From day one, walking into what’s now RFK, I knew there were going to be a lot of challenges. I wouldn’t have come in if there weren’t. That was part of the fun—knowing that you get to fix things and fine-tune everything. There were a lot of things to work through, and there still are, but we clicked and checked a lot of boxes.” Keselowski’s journey from driver to team owner has been marked by tough decisions, resilience, and a clear vision for the future.

Keselowski makes it clear that Daytona is on his list

Trending

1

Chase Elliott and Bubba Wallace Lock Horns as They Reveal Their Revamped Schedules

2

After Richard Childress Breaking Silence, Ty Dillon Drops Big Revelation on Inheriting Family’s Business

3

“Pathetic”: NASCAR’s Historic Daytona 500 Purse Marred by Controversy as Fans Expose a Dark Reality

4

Rumor: NASCAR to Slap Cup Series Driver With Big Penalty as Illegal Daytona 500 Tactics Come Out

5

Daniel Suarez Breaks Silence on Rumors of Losing Trackhouse Seat With a Selfish Claim

The Daytona 500 event is just a few days away and drivers have started extensive preparation to mark their vigour. The 2012 Cup Series champion has several feathers to his cap, given he has accounted for a total win across 36 races. However, sadly enough, the Daytona 500 isn’t one of them. 

Ahead of the event, the Michigan native has now made it clear that his vision is devoid of any blur. He said, “It all starts with the Daytona 500, it’s the initial race of the year, the first point span race of the year. It’s the only crown jewel I don’t have, we’ve done a lot to prepare for it…there’s never been a race I prepared more for every year than the Daytona 500. I feel like we’ve been so close, can’t wait to see if we could breakthrough in 2025.”

While his last best statistic at Daytona was in 2014, when he ended up in the P3 position, his 15 other attempts haven’t been very promising. Whether he will be able to claim the “Daytona jewel” this year is an answer only time can give.