Brad Keselowski isn’t content with just a playoff entry for the #6 car. It might look like the veteran driver is easing into his career after taking up an ownership role, but his recent actions suggest otherwise. Keselowski is still ambitious when it comes to his role as the driver of the #6 team, and this is why he’s making major changes to the team ahead of the next year.

After calling the shots for Brad Keselowski and the No. 6 team for three years, Matt McCall will not be returning as the crew chief for the 2025 season. McCall helped Brad Keselowski get back into victory lane this year at Darlington Raceway. However, this was the only win this partnership brought to the team, and Keselowski certainly isn’t satisfied with these results on the racetrack.

“We want to thank Matt [McCall] for his dedicated efforts over the last three seasons and his role in the success that we have had, and we wish him well in future endeavors.” RKF Racing shared this statement with a post via their Instagram handle. Matt McCall isn’t new to the role of crew chief; he spent seven years calling the shot for the #1 team at Chip Ganassi Racing.

However, when Ganassi took an exit from NASCAR following Kyle Larson’s controversy, McCall made the jump to rebrand team RFK Racing. Expectations were going to be high, being the leader of the camp for a former NASCAR champion, but he couldn’t live up to the expectations of the team. This ultimately forced Keselowski’s hand in trying to make changes in the team, and it looks like his fans are thrilled that he made this decision.

Brad Keselowski isn’t going to settle for mediocrity

110 races was the streak the #6 team broke when they won at Darlington this year. The Next-Gen era hasn’t been kind to veteran racers, but Keselowski had almost no joy in terms of results on the racetrack. The top 5s and top 10s are good, but a team like RFK Racing with a driver like Brad Keselowski has to compete for trophies. Unfortunately, those opportunities have been few and far, with McCall leading the charge for the #6 team. Therefore, his departure from the team was a big relief to this race fan. “OH HAPPY DAY!!”

The win at Darlington did unlock the door for the playoff for Keselowski and his team. But in comparison to the other playoff teams, they didn’t have a strategy or tricks up their sleeve to have a deep run. Their playoff run only lasted for the first three races and they were out of the title race in the first round itself. Highlighting the same a fan added, “Thank goodness. Something was clearly holding the 6 car back. The 17 has shown consistent 5-15th speed almost every race. The 6 usually has to unload wish 20-25th speed and has to spend all race getting up to the 17.”

A few might defend McCall given that he’s helped change the fortunes of the team in 2024. However, in the first two years, the #6 looked like a mid-pack team. In over 70 races, Keselowski wasn’t able to win a single race, and in terms of progress, they had nothing but seven top 5 finishes. Lack of race-winning speeds and a vision certainly hampered the progress of the team, and the departure of McCall was indeed the right call, according to this fan. “I’ve been waiting for this announcement for two years now.”

RFK Racing is yet to announce the replacement for McCall, but going by the comments on Reddit, it looks like fans have identified the new crew chief for Keselowski’s team. “This is the right move. I hope Brad brings someone good on to replace him; odds are it’ll be Bullins but it could be a surprise pick for Brad’s twilight years as a driver as well.” Bullins is a veteran crew chief and commanded the #2 Penske car from Keselowski’s racing days at Team Penske. He is a free agent after his stint with Wood Brothers Racing and the #21 team, so there’s a possibility of a reunion between Bullins and Keselowski.

There were a few who almost predicted this outcome of McCall leaving the team. Their prediction began after the #6 team looked out of sorts and synced during the crucial playoff races. “Honestly, I don’t think him and BK were ever on the same page. Had some questionable decision making especially during the Round of 16.”

Would you like to see Jeremy Bullins back with Brad Keselowski in the #6 team, or is there a better candidate who can pair well with the veteran driver?