This NASCAR season, Brad Keselowski’s personal performance has faced challenges, but his other two drivers, Chris Buescher and Ryan Preece, have shown marked progress. Among them, Ryan Preece stands out as the most improved NASCAR Cup driver, steadily climbing the points standings and positioning himself for a potential first victory.
Brad Keselowski Champions Underestimated Drivers
Brad Keselowski has a history of recognizing talent in drivers who initially might not receive much attention. When he took on the role of driver-owner at RFK Racing, few expected Chris Buescher to deliver multiple wins in the Cup Series. Keselowski’s long family background in building and working on race cars, combined with his experience behind the wheel, has helped him identify and nurture overlooked talent.
Ryan Preece has followed a similar trajectory this season. Despite a disqualification at Talladega, he maintains 14th place in the point standings, comfortably cemented in a playoff position with only eight winners halfway through the schedule. His consistent performances signal that a breakthrough victory is likely on the horizon.
Keselowski’s Confidence in Ryan Preece’s Growth
Observing the progress of the No. 60 team, Keselowski has expressed strong approval of Preece’s development. He credits Preece’s work ethic and talent while emphasizing the importance of placing him in the right environment to maximize his potential.
“Yeah, I’m really happy for him,”
Keselowski shared at Nashville.
“When we brought him on, I said this to someone the other day, I can’t remember who, it reminded me a lot of the Chris Buescher story, where, you know, people looked at it and said, ‘What do you see here?’ And, ‘I don’t know if it’s a good move,’ and I just felt really strong about it. You know, I like his work ethic, I like his talent. I just felt like he wasn’t in the right situation. The same way I felt about Chris. But just felt like the burden was on us to put him in the right position, and to allow him to thrive in a kind of scheme that was made for him. And he’s done just that.”
—Brad Keselowski, RFK Racing Driver-Owner
Underdogs Rising in the RFK Racing Roster
The trio of drivers at RFK Racing—Keselowski, Buescher, and Preece—exemplifies resilience and determination. Both Buescher and Preece have had to fight hard just to remain competitive within the sport, embodying the underdog spirit required to succeed in NASCAR. Their persistence reflects a shared drive to prove themselves against a highly competitive field.
Keselowski believes that Preece’s eagerness and continued efforts will soon translate into a win. He notes how important it is for a driver to feel supported by their team and to operate within a system designed around their strengths.
Anticipating Ryan Preece’s Breakthrough Victory
Keselowski anticipates a defining moment when Preece finally secures his first Cup Series win. Reflecting on a similar path with Chris Buescher, Keselowski predicts that Preece will reach comparable milestones in the coming years.
“He’s been close a few times. I can’t wait to see him break through; that will be a good moment. Three or four years ago, I feel like we were having the same conversation about Chris Buescher, and you know, now, Chris is clearly the guy for the 17 car and done all the right things in producing results. And I feel like we’re going to be saying the same thing over the next few years about Ryan.”
—Brad Keselowski, RFK Racing Driver-Owner
The significance of Preece’s expected win goes beyond the individual achievement. It represents the success of RFK Racing’s strategy to develop talented drivers by placing them in competitive situations. Achieving a victory would highlight the effectiveness of Keselowski’s leadership and affirm Preece’s steady rise in NASCAR.
As the season unfolds, fans and experts alike will be watching the No. 60 team closely, eager to witness Ryan Preece’s long-awaited moment in the winner’s circle and to see how his ongoing improvement shapes his career in the NASCAR Cup Series.
