Bobby Travis · NASCAR/IndyCar-Korrespondent
The 2012 champion will leave the No. 6 Ford after five years as both co-owner and full-time driver, with his next move still uncertain.
Brad Keselowski will not continue driving the No. 6 Ford for RFK Racing in the NASCAR Cup Series beyond the 2026 season. The 42-year-old 2012 champion is departing the team he has helped build as both co-owner and driver over the past five years. According to RFK Racing, both sides are currently working together to find a solution regarding his ownership stake in the organization.
Five Years of Building Come to an End
Keselowski joined the team as more than just an ordinary driver. When he signed on in 2022, the historic Roush Fenway Racing organization became RFK Racing (Roush Fenway Keselowski Racing), and Keselowski simultaneously took on an ownership stake. Over five seasons, he served not only as driver of the No. 6 but also as a co-decision maker shaping the team's overall direction.
This dual role makes the current split more complex than a typical driver change. It's not simply about an opening in the cockpit, but also about what becomes of his ownership stake. For now, specific details remain unsettled.
What's Next for the 2012 Champion
For a driver who earned his championship title more than a decade ago, this is an unusually late point to make such a complete restart. At 42 years old, Keselowski is hardly among the series' younger competitors, yet his name figures to remain in demand among both drivers and team owners given his experience on both sides of the pit box.
What comes after 2026 remains open. Neither a new ride nor a possible shift toward full-time team ownership or management roles has been confirmed. This uncertainty about his racing future should generate considerable conversation in the Cup Series driver market over the coming months, particularly since a driver with championship credentials and insider team knowledge would appeal to multiple organizations.
What This Means for RFK Racing
The upcoming departure raises questions about RFK Racing's future direction. Over five years, Keselowski was far more than just a driver—he was part of the team's management structure. His exit should trigger organizational changes once ownership matters are resolved.
Through season's end, Keselowski remains behind the wheel of the No. 6. How things unfold for both him and RFK Racing afterward likely won't become clear until the coming months, as both the ownership question and any potential new driver project take more concrete shape.
