The NASCAR Cup Series is currently experiencing a stretch of road course races, with six such events scheduled this season. This significant increase from previous years has sparked controversy among drivers and fans, including RFK Racing owner-driver Brad Keselowski, who openly criticized the number of road courses on the calendar.
Keselowski’s comments highlight an ongoing debate over the balance between traditional oval tracks and the growing presence of road course events in NASCAR, a sport historically known for its oval racing roots. His remarks come amid broader discussions ignited by former driver Denny Hamlin, who also questioned the escalating count of road course races.
Keselowski Voices Concern Over Rising Road Course Races in NASCAR
Brad Keselowski recently used his platform on X (formerly Twitter) to express clear dissatisfaction with the influx of road course races in the NASCAR Cup schedule. He underlined the drastic jump from two to six road course events this season, with speculation that the number could increase to seven in 2026. Keselowski emphasized that NASCAR was originally designed as a primarily oval racing series and suggested that the IMSA series should retain its status as North America’s premier road course racing championship.
“We went from 2 to 6 road course races, possibly 7 next year. NASCAR was successfully built as a primarily oval racing series. IMSA was built as the primary road course series in North America. IMSA will always do road racing better than NASCAR and that’s ok … Yes, TOO many road courses in NASCAR.” — Brad Keselowski, RFK Racing Owner-Driver
Keselowski’s stance reflects a broader sentiment among some NASCAR veterans and fans who feel that expanding the number of road course events dilutes the traditional identity of stock car racing. This perspective suggests that while road racing is an exciting and challenging discipline, it should not overshadow the sport’s core style of high-speed oval competition.
Veteran Voices Echo Keselowski’s Disapproval of Road Course Emphasis
Brad Keselowski is not alone in his concerns. Hall of Famer Richard Petty also weighed in following Shane van Gisbergen’s unexpected playoff-qualifying victory in Mexico City, a track that hosted one of the road course events. Petty criticized the current playoff system that allows a driver outside the top 30 in points to advance based on a road course win, arguing that such results conflict with the traditional stock car racing ethos.
“You got somebody that’s 30th in points that’s going to make the playoffs. Hey man, what happened to the guy that 15th, 16th, or 18th (that’s) been running good and finished good everywhere? You’re making a championship situation by winning a road course, which is not really NASCAR to begin with…I think they’re going to have to jockey around and change some of this kind of stuff.” — Richard Petty, NASCAR Hall of Famer
Petty’s critique highlights a tactical concern within NASCAR’s evolving format, suggesting that the increasing emphasis on road course victories may unfairly benefit drivers less consistent throughout the season while disadvantaging those performing steadily on traditional ovals.
The Impact of Steve Newmark’s Departure on RFK Racing
Beyond the ongoing debate about the racing schedule, RFK Racing faces organizational changes as veteran team president Steve Newmark announced his departure after 15 years to join the University of North Carolina as Executive Associate Athletic Director. Brad Keselowski reflected on Newmark’s significant influence on the team’s resurgence since Keselowski joined RFK Racing from Team Penske.
“This sport is always transitional. Whether it be drivers, crew chiefs, or executives. You just hope that the time people spend in your organization is good for them and good for you. I think there is a lot to be said for that with Steve.” — Brad Keselowski, RFK Racing Owner-Driver
Keselowski acknowledged the challenge posed by Newmark’s exit but expressed confidence in the team’s foundation, built during Newmark’s tenure. RFK Racing is currently searching for a new president but is not rushing the process, ensuring they find the right fit for a key leadership role.
“We are still working through that. We are not in a rush. We are in such a great spot. All our major contracts are locked up with drivers and crew chiefs, and most of our people. We have a few small sponsor contracts, but most of our big ones are locked up. So, we feel really good about taking our time and seeing what comes to us.” — Brad Keselowski, RFK Racing Owner-Driver
With strong contractual commitments and sponsorships secured, RFK Racing aims to maintain stability during this transitional phase, focusing on sustaining team performance and competitive growth in the coming season.
Broader Implications of NASCAR’s Shift Toward Road Course Racing
The debate over the expansion of road course races in NASCAR underscores a tension between preserving the sport’s traditional appeal and adapting to evolving fan interests and competitive formats. As more road courses are added, the character of NASCAR Cup racing is visibly shifting, eliciting varied responses from drivers, team owners, and fans.
Brad Keselowski’s and Richard Petty’s comments reflect a faction within the sport advocating for a return to greater emphasis on oval racing, believing it better represents the history and identity of stock car competition. Meanwhile, the growth in road course events aims to diversify the schedule and potentially attract new viewers, but not without stirring controversy about the sport’s direction.
Moving forward, NASCAR officials face crucial decisions on balancing tradition with innovation. Adjustments to race scheduling, playoff qualifications, and race formats may be necessary to align the interests of drivers, teams, and fans. The outcome will likely shape how NASCAR evolves through the mid-2020s and beyond.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. Is Brad Keselowski Polish?
A. On Facebook: Best wishes to Brad Keselowski, a seasoned NASCAR driver with Polish roots, for the NASCAR Chicago races this weekend. Brad is the full-time driver of the No. 6 Ford Mustang Dark Horse in the NASCAR Cup Series.
