Brad Keselowski, co-owner and driver for RFK Racing, achieved his first top-5 finish of the NASCAR season at Charlotte Motor Speedway during the Coca-Cola 600 on Sunday. Starting from 33rd place, Keselowski steadily advanced through the field to finish fifth, marking a notable improvement amid a challenging year.
Despite this positive result, Keselowski expressed frustration over missed opportunities, especially after leading for four laps in the final stage, feeling the race could have favored him more if it had lasted longer.
The Persistence of Frustration Despite Progress
The 2012 Cup Series champion conveyed mixed emotions in his post-race remarks, acknowledging the achievement but clearly emphasizing his hunger for victories. Keselowski did not hide his disappointment, signaling that finishing in the top five was not enough by his standards.
Top-10’s in this sport, top-5’s don’t mean that much, wins do. It shows what we are capable of to some degree, but I wanna win,
he stated.
#NASCAR … Brad Keselowski’s 5th-place finish in the Coke 600 was his first top 10 of the season but he was not celebrating. “I want to win.”
—Dustin Long, Journalist
Keselowski further elaborated on the challenges faced during the race, mentioning that an intermediate setback cost valuable track position but was ultimately overcome.
We had a really good car. We got mixed up in some of the different stuff at the midpoint of the race and just clawed our way out. I feel like if we could have got to the lead, we could have won the race. I wish it was a 700-mile race,
Keselowski added.
Strong Finish Highlights Team’s Potential Despite Setbacks
The No. 6 Ford Mustang Dark Horse demonstrated competitive speed during the final laps, underlining that the car‘s performance was not an issue. Keselowski accepted responsibility for some mistakes that prevented a win.
This car was good enough to win. We just weren’t able to put all the dots together, and some of that falls on me for sure.
Entering the Coca-Cola 600, Keselowski’s best finish in 2025 was 11th place at Las Vegas Motor Speedway in March. His recent struggles included three consecutive DNFs caused by crashes, making his fifth-place result in Charlotte a meaningful recovery.
Currently 32nd in the points standings, Keselowski sits 100 points below the playoff cutline. Despite having qualified for the playoffs in the previous two seasons, his path this year remains uncertain as the competition intensifies.
New Spotter Brian Keselowski Assists Amid TJ Majors’ Absence
Typically guided by experienced spotter TJ Majors, Keselowski faced a significant change during the Coca-Cola 600. Majors was sidelined due to a medical procedure, announced officially on the Friday before the race, and is expected to be out for at least a month.
Brian Keselowski, Brad’s brother, stepped into the spotter role for the event, providing a familiar voice and perhaps a unique form of reassurance during the race.
It’s a part of life, I guess. We don’t like it, but we are doing our best to adapt to it.
—Brad Keselowski, Driver and Co-owner
The adjustment appeared to be positive as Brad Keselowski managed a strong drive despite the personnel change, contributing to the respectable finish for the team.
Looking Ahead: Can Keselowski Turn Promise into Wins?
Brad Keselowski’s performance at Charlotte signals that RFK Racing’s equipment is capable of competing for victories, but consistent execution remains a hurdle. With the driver taking some accountability, the focus will likely be on refining strategy and minimizing errors moving forward.
The challenge now is to maintain momentum and convert competitive runs into wins to improve their standing in the NASCAR Cup Series standings, aiming to secure a playoff position as the season progresses.
