Former NASCAR Cup Series champion Brad Keselowski is leaving the team he co-owns at the end of the 2026 season and currently does not have a Cup Series ride lined up for next year.
Roush Fenway Keselowski Racing announced the news in a press release Tuesday morning, shortly after a report from The Athletic was published. Keselowski has been a co-owner of the team — alongside longtime NASCAR owner Jack Roush and the Fenway Sports Group — since 2021 when he left Team Penske.
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While The Athletic reported that Keselowski will “likely give up his ownership stake” amid “disagreements between Keselowski and the Fenway Sports Group over the direction of the team,” RFK Racing said in its statement that the team will work “collaboratively and mutually” with Keselowski “through the appropriate next steps regarding his existing ownership interest.”
“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, including at Roush Enterprises and Fenway Sports Group,” Keselowski said in a statement. “I’m nowhere near ready to be done as a driver. I still have a lot I want to accomplish in this sport, and I’m looking forward to what comes next.”
Brad Keselowski moves on from team
The news comes a week after Keselowski’s longtime crew chief Jeremy Bullins left RFK Racing to join Legacy Motor Club, where he will be the crew chief for Riley Herbst’s No. 84 Toyota next season.
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Mike Skarbowski will be Keselowski’s crew chief in the No. 6 Ford for the remainder of the 2026 season as the future Hall of Fame driver finishes his tenure with RFK.
“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,” Chip Bowers, President of RFK Racing, said in a statement. “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. We have tremendous respect for Brad as a champion, competitor, and leader, and we are grateful for the energy and commitment he has brought to RFK.
“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.”
Keselowski, 42, is the third-oldest active driver in NASCAR’s top-level Cup Series behind 44-year-old AJ Allmendinger and 45-year-old Denny Hamlin. He is currently riding an 89-race winless streak, last taking the checkered flag at Darlington on May 12, 2024. Keselowski missed the postseason Chase this season by two spots in the points standings and failed to make the playoffs in the old format last year.
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Still, Keselowski remains one of the most decorated and well-known drivers in the sport. He made his NASCAR debut at the age of 20 in 2004 in the Truck Series, and by 2009 had won his third career start in the Cup Series, taking the checkered flag at Talladega.
Keselowski won the championship in the second-tier O’Reilly Auto Parts Series in 2010, then two years later won the Cup Series championship in 2012. Both of Keselowski’s championships came with Team Penske and he was the last driver to win a title in a Dodge.
Brad Keselowski career
The native of Rochester Hills, Michigan, has won three of NASCAR’s crown jewel races, winning the Southern 500 and the Brickyard 400 in 2018, and taking the Coca-Cola 600 in 2020. He has 36 career victories in the Cup Series, which ranks 25th all-time. Keselowski also has 39 wins in the O’Reilly Series and one victory in the Truck Series, giving him a total of 76 combined checkered flags across the three national touring circuits, which ranks 12th all-time.
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Early in his career, Keselowski earned the nickname “Bad Brad” for his aggressive driving style, unwillingness to bow down to veterans, and penchant for clashing with other drivers like Kyle and Kurt Busch, Matt Kenseth, Kevin Harvick, Carl Edwards and Jeff Gordon. Most recently, after being wrecked by Carson Hocevar at Darlington, Keselowski warned the young driver: “His day is coming and it’s coming hard. Watch out, Carson.”
The situation at RFK without Keselowski remains to be seen. The team ran three cars in the Cup Series this season and both of Keselowski’s teammates, Ryan Preece and Chris Buescher, made the Chase. However, RFK is losing one of its three charters this offseason, as the one it is leasing from Rick Ware Racing has been sold to Legacy Motor Club.
In its statement, RFK said it “remains committed to competing as a three-car NASCAR Cup Series organization in 2027 and will continue its active pursuit of a third charter.” RFK is also beginning a search for a new head of competition, a position Keselowski previously held.
It’s also unclear what the future holds for Keselowski. There aren’t many seats in the Cup Series in 2027 that aren’t already spoken for.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: NASCAR champ Brad Keselowski leaving team he co-owns at end of season
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