RFK Racing, co-owned by Brad Keselowski, has finalized a charter agreement for its No. 60 team for the 2025 NASCAR Cup season, bringing resolution to a prolonged dispute involving Rick Ware Racing and Legacy Motor Club. This arrangement allows RFK Racing to continue its three-car operation with Ryan Preece remaining as the driver of the No. 60 Ford, as part of a lease deal with Rick Ware Racing.
The RFK Racing organization confirmed that all contracts involving drivers and partners for the No. 60 team are settled, allowing them to move forward confidently with the upcoming season under the newly secured charter lease. Reports indicate that Rick Ware Racing and Legacy Motor Club mutually agreed there would be no violations of existing agreements, clearing the way for this partnership.
The conflict had centered on Legacy Motor Club’s attempt to purchase a charter from Rick Ware Racing, sparking months of legal debate and uncertainty over which teams would control charters going forward.
RFK Racing Confirms Stability After Charter Dispute
With the charter issue resolved, RFK Racing has officially locked in driver and partnership agreements for the 2025 campaign, ensuring continuity for its No. 60 entry. Ryan Preece will lead the team behind the wheel, with all stakeholders aligned on the team’s operational plan. The lease of the charter through Rick Ware Racing provides RFK Racing the stability it needs to maintain its presence and competitive ambitions next season.
A spokesperson for RFK Racing expressed satisfaction with the outcome, stating,
“We can confirm driver and partner agreements are in place for the 60 team. We are happy to continue our charter agreement as Rick Ware Racing and Legacy Motorsports have indicated that contracts will be honored.”
– Bob Pockrass
This season has been a tight race for RFK Racing, as all three of its drivers narrowly missed the NASCAR playoffs. Ryan Preece and Chris Buescher came close but ultimately fell short of qualifying for the post-season, highlighting the competitive challenges the team faced throughout the year. Brad Keselowski himself has experienced near podium finishes, including a close second place at the Bristol Night Race and a determined third-place result at Iowa.
Brad Keselowski Criticizes NASCAR’s Playoff Format as “Demeaning”
Alongside the news about the charter deal, Brad Keselowski publicly voiced his frustration with NASCAR’s current playoff system, describing it as harmful to the sport’s overall health. In a detailed interview with The Athletic, Keselowski called for an overhaul of the existing structure, which emphasizes the importance of ten playoff races at the expense of other events.
Keselowski pinpointed three major areas where NASCAR should focus improvement: increasing revenues for tracks, enhancing manufacturer advertising efforts, and crucially, eliminating the current playoff format. He argued that the playoff emphasis undermines the significance of many historic races and venues, thereby damaging the sport’s broader appeal. He explained,
“The whole playoff thing has to go away. The nuance of having 10 races that are more important than 20-some others is very unhealthy for the sport. It’s demeaning to the other tracks and races. And unfortunately, those 10 races that are supposed to mean more are in direct competition with other sports. It muddies the water. It’s not working for the sport.” – Brad Keselowski, NASCAR driver and co-owner of RFK Racing
Keselowski’s critique highlights the tension between maintaining NASCAR’s traditional race calendar and accommodating modern sports marketing demands, emphasizing the risk that the current playoff system could alienate fans and reduce engagement with non-playoff events. His comments have reignited discussions about how the sport can evolve to protect historic racing venues while remaining competitive with other major sports.
Implications for NASCAR and RFK Racing Ahead
Securing the charter deal removes a significant point of uncertainty for RFK Racing as it prepares for the 2025 season, allowing the team to maintain its driver lineup and sponsor commitments without disruption. For Brad Keselowski, who not only competes but also co-owns the team, this stability is crucial for long-term planning and performance development across all three RFK Racing entries.
At the same time, Keselowski’s outspoken stance on NASCAR’s playoff format signals growing impatience with the sport’s current approach to competition structure. His determination to advocate for change reflects a broader dialogue within NASCAR’s community about balancing tradition with innovation to grow the sport’s fanbase and commercial prospects.
As RFK Racing prepares for the next season, the resolution of the charter issue ensures its place on the grid, while Keselowski’s critique adds momentum to calls for NASCAR to reconsider its most pressing operational policies. Observers and fans alike will watch closely to see how these developments influence both team strategy and broader changes in NASCAR governance in the coming months.
