Keselowski-RFK split left NASCAR drivers shocked

CONCORD, N.C. — Brad Keselowski’s sudden split from his namesake NASCAR Cup Series organization not only left fans shocked; it left drivers and people within the sport shocked.

Keselowski announced Tuesday he was splitting from RFK Racing, a venture he co-owns with Jack Roush and Fenway Sports Group. He is stepping away from driving the organization’s No. 6 Ford and stepping down as head of competition in 2027. His plans are unknown but he plans to continue driving next year.

Denny Hamlin weighed in with his thoughts on X, posting “RF not O-K. 😳” after the announcement.

Hamlin wasn’t the only top Cup Series driver who was shocked. Three-time champion and longtime teammate Joey Logano also couldn’t believe it.

“Usually you hear rumors but I didn’t hear anything. That’s where I’m at. Surprised. I don’t think anyone had seen that coming. I think we were quick to assume when the name is on the door, you wouldn’t have seen it coming,” Logano said in a NASCAR media call Wednesday.

Keselowski’s split from Roush and Fenway comes after five seasons together. When Keselowski vacated Team Penske’s No. 2 Ford to take over the No. 6 Ford and an ownership stake to form RFK Racing in 2022, Austin Cindric stepped up to take over for Keselowski. Cindric fulfilled a rise through the ranks of NASCAR that began when Keselowski first tabbed him for an NCTS race at Martinsville Speedway in October 2015 and a full season in the series in 2017.

Even with Cindric’s history with Keselowski, he was shocked about the move.

“I was just as shocked as you all were,” Cindric said. “I respect Brad, it was his idea to throw me in at Martinsville in 2015… It’s gonna be interesting to see how it all plays out, I’m kind of on the sidelines with you all.”

Like Cindric, Ryan Blaney received his start thanks to Keselowski. He is also watching “on the sidelines” to see what he will do next.

“I don’t know the ins and outs of everything over there… I feel like he did a lot for that organization and is not only a huge staple of that group but NASCAR as well. So I’m curious as to where he’ll end up,” Blaney told SiriusXM NASCAR Radio. “I know there’s some rumors of Brad returning to Dodge so you never know… but I don’t know where he’s going to end up.”

Keselowski to Kaulig Racing was the hot rumor after his announcement. A report that he could end up in a series other than the NASCAR Cup Series only further fueled the fire with both sides’ associations to Dodge and Ram Trucks and Keselowski ending up at a team that might welcome a fresh voice and partner like him.

However, Kaulig Racing CEO Chris Rice denied that they’ve talked with Keselowski about him possibly joining the organization.

“No I have not had any conversations about Brad Keselowski driving a Dodge.. It’s super late so that should tell you what’s happening,” Rice told SiriusXM NASCAR Radio, while noting he talked with Keselowski at his motorhome on an unrelated topic.

Keselowski is in his 17th full-time season in the NASCAR Cup Series. He has 36 wins, 163 top-five finishes, 282 top-10 finishes and 18 poles in 623 races. He won the 2012 championship and has a total of 12 postseason appearances – but none since 2024. The 2012 champion also hasn’t won a race since that year.

If Keselowski moved to the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, he could become the first “Triple Crown” champion in NASCAR history. He won the 2010 NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series championship but has only run one full-time NCTS season – in 2005 as a young, upstart driver who finished 21st in points.