Brad Keselowski will leave the No. 6 RFK Racing Ford at the end of the 2026 NASCAR Cup Series season, RFK Racing announced Tuesday morning, NASCAR.com reported. The 2012 Cup Series champion has driven the team's flagship entry as a driver and co-owner since the start of the 2022 season.
Keselowski did not immediately say what comes next or whether his plans include the Cup Series. The team said in a press release that it "supports his desire to explore his career opportunities elsewhere."
What RFK Racing said
"We are big fans of Brad as a person, driver, and colleague. The impact Brad has made on our organization has been felt by everyone associated with RFK Racing; he's undoubtedly been a terrific representative of our collective efforts both on and off the track," RFK Racing president Chip Bowers said in a team release.
"Brad has been clear about his desire to continue competing for years to come, and we respect and support him in pursuing the path that best allows him to achieve those goals. With several races still ahead, we look forward to competing together through the remainder of the season," Bowers said.
Ownership stake and head of competition
RFK said it intends to "collaboratively and mutually work through the appropriate next steps" regarding Keselowski's ownership stake. The team has also launched a search for a new head of competition to replace him, according to NASCAR.com.
His record
Keselowski has 36 Cup Series wins, 25th on the all-time list. His one win with RFK came in the Goodyear 400 at Darlington Raceway in May 2024. In 174 starts with the team he has 25 top fives and 55 top 10s. His best season there was 2023: no wins, but 16 top 10s, a 14.5 average finish and eighth in the final standings.
The 42-year-old from Rochester Hills, Michigan, has started every points-paying Cup race since November 2009, a streak of 610 consecutive starts, NASCAR.com reported.
