RFK Racing and Brad Keselowski are parting ways at the conclusion of the 2026 NASCAR Cup Series season, marking the end of a partnership that reshaped the organization’s technical foundation. Keselowski, who joined the team as a driver and part-owner in 2022 after a long tenure with Team Penske, announced he is not retiring and intends to continue competing at the highest level of stock car racing.
The Split and Ownership Transition at RFK Racing
The announcement arrived late in the 2026 racing calendar, creating an abrupt shift in the NASCAR garage. As part of the departure, reports indicate that Keselowski will relinquish his ownership stake in the organization. RFK Racing released a statement noting that they “intend to collaboratively and mutually work through the appropriate next steps regarding his existing ownership interest in the organization, and the team supports his desire to explore his career opportunities elsewhere.”
Chip Bowers, President of RFK Racing, praised Keselowski’s comprehensive investment in the team’s trajectory. “He was not simply driving the No. 6 car but investing himself in the future of the team and helping us think differently about what RFK Racing could become,” Bowers said. Beyond his duties behind the wheel, Keselowski served as the team’s head of competition, a critical leadership role that RFK Racing stated will begin an immediate search to fill.
Moving forward, the team will continue operating under the joint ownership of Roush Enterprises, preserving Jack Roush’s decades of NASCAR history, and Fenway Sports Group, a diversified global sports platform. Both primary ownership groups affirmed their long-term commitment to the organization.
Brad Keselowski’s Future Plans in the Cup Series
In a separate statement addressing his career, the 42-year-old driver made it clear that hanging up his helmet is not imminent. “I’m nowhere near ready to be done as a driver,” Keselowski stated. “I still have a lot I want to accomplish in this sport and I’m looking forward to what comes next.”
With more than 600 Cup Series starts dating back to his debut in 2008, Keselowski stands among the most experienced active drivers in the garage. Only Joey Logano and Denny Hamlin hold more career starts among active full-time competitors. His resume includes 36 Cup Series victories—highlighted by crown jewel wins in the 2018 Brickyard 400 and Southern 500, alongside a victory in the 2020 Coca-Cola 600. He also captured the 2010 NASCAR Xfinity Series (then O’Reilly Series) championship, accumulating 39 wins at NASCAR’s secondary level and 76 total national series victories.
Unresolved Roster and Charter Questions for 2026
The sudden timeline leaves Keselowski facing a sparse market for open seats so late in the cycle. Meanwhile, RFK Racing faces its own logistical adjustments for the upcoming season. It remains unclear how team leadership intends to manage the No. 6 entry following Keselowski’s exit.
The organization is set to lose the charter for Ryan Preece’s No. 60 car, though team representatives have previously maintained that they plan to run the entry as a third open car if necessary. RFK Racing’s official announcement emphasized that the organization remains actively in pursuit of securing a third charter for future operations.
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