RFK Racing and Brad Keselowski part ways at the end of the 2026 NASCAR Cup season and announce shocking news. He is a co-owner of the organization, but reports indicate he will also give up his share of ownership. On the issue of Keselowski’s participation in the team, RFK said they “intend to work collaboratively and mutually on appropriate next steps regarding his current participation in the organization, and the team supports his desire to explore his career opportunities elsewhere.”
Keselowski spent most of his career with Team Penske, but joined RFK as a driver and co-owner in 2022.
Jack Roush and John Henry are the team’s other principal owners, and it’s unclear what they plan to do with the No. 6 car for 2026. They are known to lose the charter of Ryan Preece’s No. 60, but have previously said they intend to run it as a third open car if necessary. Tuesday’s statement said they remain looking for a third charter.
Brad Keselowski, RFK Racing
Photo by: Amy Kontras via Getty Images
“We are huge fans of Brad as a person, driver and colleague. The impact Brad has had on our organization has been felt by everyone associated with RFK Racing; he has undoubtedly been a tremendous representative of our collective efforts on and off the track,” said Chip Bowers, President of RFK Racing. “He wasn’t just driving the No. 6 car, but he was investing in the future of the team and helping us think differently about what RFK Racing could become. We have tremendous respect for Brad as a champion, competitor and leader, and we are grateful for the energy and commitment he brought to RFK. Brad has made clear his desire to continue competing for years to come, and we respect and support him as he continues down the path that allows him best to achieve these goals With several races still to come, we look forward to competing together during the remainder of the season.
They also said the search for a new head of competition, a position held by Keselowski, would begin immediately.
As for the future of the other ownership partners, the team said in the same release that “RFK Racing will continue to operate under the ownership of Roush Enterprises, building on Jack Roush’s decades of success in NASCAR, and Fenway Sports Group, a diversified global sports platform. Both ownership groups remain firmly committed to RFK Racing and its long-term success.”
Statement from Brad Keselowski
In his own statement, released separately from the team’s release, Keselowski made it clear that this was not a retirement announcement and that the 42-year-old intended to continue racing. However, this news also comes very late in the season and there are very few options left at this point.
“I am incredibly proud of what we have accomplished at RFK over the past five years and grateful to the people I have had the opportunity to work with, including at Roush Enterprises and Fenway Sports Group,” Keselowski said in a statement. “So many great people have invested heavily in the competitive and technical transformation of this team and I will always appreciate the relationships we have built, everything we have experienced together and what I have learned as a co-owner and competition manager. I am far from ready to be done as a driver.”
“I still have a lot to achieve in this sport and I look forward to what’s next. I’m grateful to everyone who has been a part of this journey and to the fans who continue to support me. I look forward to sharing my future plans when the time is right.”
Keselowski is one of the most experienced drivers in NASCAR today. He has made more than 600 starts in his Cup career, which dates back to 2008. Only four other full-time drivers have raced at the Cup level since 2008 or longer, and only Joey Logano and Denny Hamlin have more starts among active drivers.
Keselowski has 36 victories at the Cup level, including 2018 victories at the Brickyard 400 and the Southern 500, as well as a 2020 victory at the Coca-Cola 600. He is also the 2010 NASCAR O’Reilly Series champion with 39 victories at the secondary level of NASCAR and 76 victories in all three national divisions.
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