Brad Keselowski Out As Driver At RFK: 'I'm In A Good Spot Now'

Brad Keselowski won't return as a driver at the team he currently co-owns - a team that he potentially won't co-own in the future. Keselowski's contract negotiations with the RFK Racing board - a somewhat expected formality considering his ownership stake - broke down and RFK Racing announced Tuesday that it would part ways with Keselowski after this season. The 2012 Cup champion joined the team in 2022 when he became a co-owner of Roush Fenway Racing. "I'm nowhere near ready to be done as a driver," Keselowski said in a statement. "I still have a lot I want to accomplish in the sport, and I'm looking forward to what comes next." Keselowski does not have a controlling interest in the team, and a statement from RFK indicated it would try to buy him out with the team being operated by Roush Industries and the Fenway Sports Group (the R and the F in RFK). RFK President Chip Bowers said Saturday at Las Vegas Motor Speedway that Keselowski's desire to remain as a driver long term is what contributed to the split. Keselowski wouldn't comment on the reasons. "It was clear that we wanted Brad to start focusing more on his role in competition. ... We wanted that to be a natural transition over the next two to three years for Brad," Bowers said during a news conference. "I think he wants to continue to drive much longer than that, and that's fine. We applaud that." It was fine, but it resulted in contract negotiations eventually breaking down, Bowers indicated, and they plan to buy him out of his equity interest. Keselowski had a five-year driving deal. "I've had a pretty good idea that this was in the works for the last few months," Keselowski said during a media scrum Saturday at Las Vegas. "I've had a few people reach out before then, and I'm just kind of gathering all the opportunities to see what makes sense, and then we'll make a decision in the next couple of months or so." Keselowski wouldn't rule anything out for 2027, even delivering a "no comment" on a possible return to RFK. He said he has felt the support from the NASCAR industry and the fans. He said it is "doubtful" that his days as a team owner are over. "My biggest emotion just being at the race track is humbled to have that level of support," Keselowski said Saturday. "That doesn't mean that's the only emotion through the whole process. "There have probably been a few moments of anger over the last few weeks as the realities of this have become clearer, but I'm in a good spot now." Bowers remained adamant that the team will run a third car full time and Keselowski's departure will have no impact on sponsorship. The organization will have only two charters next year and plans to operate one of the cars as an open car. Ryan Preece, originally scheduled to be in the open car, will be in the chartered car, Bowers confirmed. Bowers praised Keselowski profusely while discussing his departure. Keselowski has managed just one victory in his five seasons with the team. That victory came at Darlington in 2024. His teammates, Chris Buescher and Ryan Preece, both made The Chase this year. The 42-year-old Keselowski has 36 career wins with 34 of them coming during his tenure at Team Penske from 2010-2021. He invested in RFK to have more of a say over competition decisions and more of a role in how the team operates. RFK has improved since Keselowski's arrival, although Team Penske has, for the most part, been the top Ford team. "I'm incredibly proud of what we've accomplished at RFK over the past five years and grateful for the people I've had the opportunity to work alongside," Keselowski said in a statement when the breakup was announced.