Brad Keselowski, RFK Racing co-owner and full-time NASCAR driver, has voiced serious concerns about increasing aggression and unsafe conduct among drivers in recent Cup Series races. His comments came after reviewing a clip from the 2024 Hollywood Casino 400 at Kansas Speedway, where aggressive, reckless maneuvers dominated the mid-pack, signaling a disturbing shift in driver behavior.
The clip, originally shared by a fan, featured Keselowski’s dashcam view and team radio communications, offering insight into strategy amid escalating on-track conflicts. Reacting to this footage, Keselowski called out what he sees as a troubling new norm for drivers running outside the top 15, remarking that intentional wrecking has become commonplace.
“Single biggest change I’ve seen in the cup series drivers over last 10 years – Complete willingness to semi-intentionally wreck each other running 15th or worse. I see it almost every week and none worse than this week in Iowa. Not sure what to make of it.”
—Brad Keselowski, RFK Racing co-owner and driver
Incidents like the one at the Iowa Corn 350 at Iowa Speedway reinforce Keselowski’s concerns. The race featured 12 cautions and multiple collisions, including a notable event on Lap 229 when Carson Hocevar nudged Zane Smith, sending Smith’s car into the SAFER barriers. Smith was running 23rd at the time, well out of contention, yet his race ended abruptly because of aggressive contact from another driver also far back in the pack.
Driver Behavior Versus Car Design: Keselowski Responds to Questions on Aero and Aggression
Part-time driver Josh Bilicki prompted Keselowski in a conversation about whether modern aero challenges or new driver attitudes were to blame for the increase in wrecks. Bilicki asked:
“In your opinion, how much of this is caused by aero blocking and how hard it is to pass with the current car? Or is it just the new gen of racers?”
Keselowski’s response was clear:
“It’s not the car.”
—Brad Keselowski
While Keselowski acknowledges that wrecks at the front of the field naturally affect races, he is particularly disturbed by the trend of drivers outside the top 15 causing damage seemingly without consequence. This behavior results in increasing contact “for contact’s sake,” which he views as damaging to the sport’s integrity and racing quality.
The Changing Dynamics of NASCAR Cars and the Impact on Racecraft
Since the introduction of the Next Gen car in 2022, NASCAR aimed to level the playing field with identical vehicles for all teams, promoting closer and more competitive races. However, this change brought renewed aerodynamic challenges that now heavily influence race outcomes. The cars have become extremely sensitive to “dirty air,” making passing extremely difficult once a driver falls behind another car.
At tracks like Dover, even faster cars found themselves unable to pass leaders due to airflow disruption, which Keselowski describes not as traditional blocking but as “aero-blocking.” This phenomenon allows leading drivers to manipulate airflow, creating an almost impenetrable barrier behind them. Consequently, bumping or physical passing attempts have diminished because the trailing car cannot get close enough to attempt such moves without risking wrecks.
Accountability and Ownership Culture Shift in NASCAR Driving
Beyond car design, Keselowski believes that a major cause of rising aggressive incidents lies in the changing culture among team owners and driver accountability. He pointed out that past owners were far more involved and strict about on-track conduct and results:
“Car owners used to be much more present and accountability driven. They would surely fire you for one of two reasons – Wrecking and Not running well. If you did both as a driver, no chance of making it. This made all the drivers not want to wreck when they weren’t running well.”
—Brad Keselowski
Years ago, a driver damaging their car while running outside the top 15 risked losing their place or even their contract. That reality encouraged self-policing among drivers, discouraging reckless behavior when not in contention. In contrast, today’s NASCAR series operates differently: teams have slimmed down, ownership involvement has declined, and the cars themselves are built with composite bodies designed for easier replacement.
Drivers now often appear willing to push harder with fewer consequences, a pattern Keselowski says is fuelled by desperation and impatience rather than skill and race strategy. Kyle Busch and Denny Hamlin have previously described current cars as “interchangeable” and “disposable,” emphasizing the decreased focus on maintaining equipment and respect for it during competition. This environment erodes traditional racecraft and increases the risk of intentional wrecking especially among those in the midfield.
Implications of Rising Aggression for NASCAR’s Future
Brad Keselowski‘s warning signals a critical juncture for NASCAR’s culture and competition. If mid-pack aggression and intentional wrecking continue, the sport risks alienating fans and degrading the quality of racing. The shift away from driver accountability and owner oversight removes important checks that historically kept reckless behavior in check.
Moving forward, NASCAR may need to reassess both its car designs and disciplinary policies to restore respect on the track and encourage safer competition. As Keselowski implies, the solution lies not just in technical changes but in reviving the culture of responsibility among drivers and teams alike, protecting race integrity and preserving NASCAR’s future.
