Brad Keselowski continues to recover from a leg injury sustained during an offseason skiing accident, forcing him to miss the Clash at Bowman Gray Stadium. As co-owner of RFK Racing, Keselowski aims to be fully prepared for the 68th Daytona 500 on February 15 and start his 2026 Cup Series season strongly, though doubts remain about his performance potential.
In a recent episode of NASCAR’s Inside The Race, veteran crew chief Steve Letarte and former driver Kyle Petty analyzed Keselowski’s likelihood of winning in 2026. Keselowski’s last victory came at Darlington in 2024, and while Petty expressed some hope for another win, Letarte was skeptical about Keselowski’s chances of success this season.
Challenges from Within RFK Racing and Competition Ahead
Steve Letarte pointed to Keselowski’s RFK Racing teammates as one of the biggest obstacles to his 2026 success. Specifically, Chris Buescher and Ryan Preece are seen in better current form, with Preece entering the year on a high note after winning the recent Clash.
Letarte commented on Buescher’s abilities, stating,
I think Chris Buescher, in his age, has a little bit more firepower behind the wheel than Brad Keselowski does. Very talented and very calculated. I am not saying he cannot win a race. But if I had to list 15 drivers who are going to win, I don’t think I have Brad on that list,
highlighting the internal competitiveness Keselowski faces within his own team.
This internal competition means Keselowski must first outperform his teammates before even considering the challenge from other top drivers across NASCAR. Maintaining momentum will be critical, particularly after his injury recovery.
Kyle Petty’s Perspective on Keselowski’s Win Probability
Kyle Petty offered a broader outlook on the season’s expected race winners, estimating that roughly 85% of victories will come from Hendrick Motorsports, Joe Gibbs Racing, and Team Penske. This leaves only a small portion of races open for drivers from other teams, including Keselowski.
Despite the narrow window, Petty acknowledged recent momentum at Bowman Gray, but remained doubtful about sustained success. He noted,
I think it is going to be tough for that team. Even coming off a win at Bowman Gray. It is momentum. I will give them that. It is something to hang your hat on. I will give them that. But to carry that into the rest of the year against these other guys, I just think it is going to be tough for Brad to find his way back to Victory Lane.
The Road Ahead for Keselowski in 2026
Keselowski faces significant challenges in attempting to secure a win this upcoming season, not only because of strong competition but also due to his current physical condition post-injury. Achieving Victory Lane would be a major accomplishment under normal circumstances, and overcoming these obstacles will test his resilience and skill.
The 2026 season will reveal whether Brad Keselowski can overcome internal team pressure, tough competition, and lingering effects from his injury to make a meaningful impact on the NASCAR Cup Series landscape.
