Brad Keselowski, co-owner of RFK Racing, is on a mission to boost the team’s qualifying performances as they prepare for the upcoming race at Darlington Raceway. RFK Racing has faced challenges in securing top qualifying positions this season, with the team yet to win a pole in 2025. Their best start was 6th place by Chris Buescher at the Daytona 500, revealing an average start of 19.6 in the season.
Having joined RFK Racing in 2021, Keselowski brought a rejuvenating spark to a team once dominant in the early 2000s. Since his arrival, RFK Racing has seen improvements under the leadership of drivers like Chris Buescher and Ryan Preece. However, Keselowski emphasizes the critical need for better speed during qualifiers, acknowledging that this is key to competing against the top-tier teams such as Hendrick Motorsports and Joe Gibbs Racing.
Highlighting their recent close calls, especially with Ryan Preece at Phoenix, Keselowski noted their promising positions in races. Preece showed great potential during the option tire race at Phoenix, moving from 33rd to 11th place within just a few laps. This was despite a late caution that left him finishing 15th after leading 34 laps. Keselowski voiced optimism, stating, “If the 60 and the 17 can take their execution and combine it with top-level speed, I think they can win a handful of races this year.”
Chris Buescher has been consistent, with four top-10 finishes across the season’s seven races. Accumulating the most points among the RFK drivers, he’s currently sitting 11th in the standings. Meanwhile, Keselowski has struggled in his car, number 6, without leading any laps or achieving a top 10 finish yet. Despite these challenges, Keselowski’s confidence in the direction RFK Racing is heading remains unshaken.
As Darlington Raceway looms, the track known as the “Track Too Tough to Tame” holds significant history for RFK Racing. Keselowski’s previous victory there, securing the Goodyear 400 against competitors like Ty Gibbs and Denny Hamlin, is a beacon of past success. Chris Buescher and Ryan Preece hope to build upon past performances and Keselowski’s strategies at this demanding venue.
Ryan Preece, new to the team in 2025, seeks to overcome his previous struggles at Darlington. While he has not led laps there, his recent strong finishes, including a top five at Las Vegas, suggest the potential for improvement. RFK Racing’s focus on enhancing qualifying speed could be the crucial factor in their attempt to secure better race positions and capitalize on their cars’ performance at Darlington.
With the pieces falling into place for RFK Racing, Keselowski’s continued focus on qualifying improvements could turn Darlington into a pivotal moment of transformation for the team. As anticipation builds, fans and analysts alike ponder whether this could be the breakthrough that pushes RFK Racing back into title contention. The upcoming race at Darlington could provide the answers, as the team sets its sights on turning potential into celebrated victories.
