RFK Racing President Chip Bowers on Saturday shed light on the sudden news of owner-driver Brad Keselowski’s departure from the team. According to Bowers, Keselowski left over a disagreement on how long he would continue racing before transitioning to an oversight role.
“When we started looking at what the next three years look like for us and beyond, it was clear that we wanted Brad to start focusing more on his role in competition,” Bowers said in a press conference. “[Competition directors] are 24/7 jobs. You have to live, breathe it constantly. If we want to be in the same conversation as Hendrick Motorsports, and [Team Penske] and Joe Gibbs Racing, it’s gonna take that level of commitment.”
Some of what Chip Bowers said about how RFK found itself deciding to part ways (and hoping to buy out) with co-owner/driver Brad Keselowski: @NASCARONFOX pic.twitter.com/CWed1e3qn0
— Bob Pockrass (@bobpockrass) October 4, 2026
Keselowski confirmed to media on Saturday that he was nearing the end of a five-year driving contract with RFK Racing. This arrangement was worked out separately from his ownership, and so if both sides agreed Keselowski’s ownership could remain unaffected by his future behind the wheel. It’s still unclear what will happen to the minority ownership stake Keselowski purchased ahead of the 2022 season.
As the five-year driving contract agreed to by both parties neared its end, the conflicting visions for Keselowski’s future seemed to become a terminal disagreement. From Bowers’s description of the situation, Keselowski chose to navigate his racing career on his own terms over staying with RFK Racing for its duration. “My career is not over by any means,” Keselowski said. “There are a lot of things to still work out.”
RFK Racing’s Future
One detail that appears clear is that potential downsizing did not appear to play a role in Brad Keselowski’s departure. Even with the 42-year-old heading to compete elsewhere, Bowers reiterated the team’s commitment to running three cars despite currently owning only two charters.
“We had tremendous success as Roush Racing. We went through a period there where we weren’t as successful, we want to get back to that,” Bowers continued. “No one wants to be a middle of the pack franchise. Not one. And we can’t do that running two cars. We know that we need three cars to achieve that.”
Acquiring a Third Charter
Which driver inherits the No. 6 Ford Mustang Dark Horse from Brad Keselowski remains to be seen. The team is still pursuing potential opportunities to acquire a third charter, and Bowers says they can afford to purchase one if able.
“We have the financial commitment of our ownership group to withstand any revenue loss by not having a third charter,” Bowers said. “I think a lot of times people are like, ‘Well, if you don’t have the third charter, you’re gonna make less money.’ That is correct, but back to my point about supportive ownership, they understand that sometimes things don’t happen as timely as we would like it.”
