Brad Keselowski’s Gamble Works Out as He Strengthens His Relationship With Ford With Every Race

Oct 2, 2023 | 1:31 PM EDT

Link Copied!

One of the most challenging weekends of this racing year is behind us and the NASCAR grid breathes a sigh of relief. Team Penske’s lone playoff warrior Ryan Blaney took the win at the Talladega Superspeedway and bagged his ticket to the round of 8. With the dangerous oval leaving a bigger smile on the faces of some than others, one unlucky contender was RFK Racing co-owner, Brad Keselowski. Despite running in front for a long time, the experienced driver’s day turned ugly in the final stage and he had to retire his car.

However, one positive that shone brightly through the clouding darkness was his coordination with fellow Ford drivers. It was perceived by insiders that a partnership between the Fords on the grid would amplify chances for all parties, and Talladega proved that right.

Ford leads the charge as Brad Keselowski finds a way to work with other drivers

The 2023 season has not been the best showing of its prowess for Ford. The carmaker has had Stewart-Haas Racing and Team Penske, two of its best teams, stumble through the season. With its best bets failing to put on a show Ford found some occasional solace in its third team, RFK Racing, as they scored a few wins courtesy of Chris Buescher.

Despite the downward graph, Ford cars had sent a strong statement across the grid at Talladega as they raked up 7 of the top 10 qualifying spots. With Aric Almirola taking pole, 6 other Fords, including that of Brad Keselowski, followed suit. Many had anticipated a partnership between the Fords during the weekend and that was what transpired. All the cars had a decent run as they worked together, but unluckily for Brad Keselowski, he couldn’t translate the gamble that he took to the leaderboard.

Talking to the press after his crash that led him to a P31 finish, Keselowski answered a question on whom he worked with well and said, “I thought I worked well with Logano, we were able to get to the front there, and Aric Almirola, he was really good. Blaney all those guys and we were in a good spot. I just hate that it unraveled for us.” The coordination between the drivers proves the idea that despite its charmless 2023 championship run, Ford might just still have a chance at glory.

Watch This Story: NASCAR’s Future: A Power Struggle Brewing?

How far can the RFK Racing’s #6 team take Ford in the 2023 championship run?

At the round of 12 opener race at the Texas Motor Speedway, Ford fielded a total of three cars. The #6 of Brad Keselowski, the #17 of Chris Buescher and the #12 of Ryan Blaney. While Blaney has secured Ford’s position in the round of 8 with his win, the race at Roval will decide if the two drivers from RFK Racing will strengthen it further. But to do that, Keselowski will once again be relying on the help of his fellow Ford drivers and his teammate, Buescher.

Though Keselowski is yet to find the victory lane this season, Buescher has taken RFK Racing a long way with 3 wins. He currently sits at the 5th spot in the playoff drivers standings, above the 8th-placed Keselowski. Bordering the cutoff line with 23XI Racing’s fast Toyotas, Keselowski’s #6 team will take all the help it can get in the Roval. And that means working together with the likes of Almirola and Logano, once again. Revealing his thoughts going to the Roval, the driver talked about how he wasn’t devastated yet.

He said, “It’s not ideal. But I am not devastated. I’d be devastated if we ran terrible and wrecked. But we ran good and I am proud of our team for putting the effort (…) It just didn’t come together in the end.”

Despite gaining points from the second-stage win at Talladega, Keselowski will have to do better at the Roval. His best finish at the track is the P5 that came for him back in 2019 when he was behind the wheel for Team Penske. Now driving for his own banner, the driver will hope to use the added purpose to put himself out of his comfort zone and continue collaborating with other Fords for the win.