Brad Keselowski On RFK Expansion: “We Would Definitely Like To Do That”

What’s Happening?

During a press conference on Saturday before Cup practice and qualifying at Michigan, Brad Keselowski stated that he and his RFK team are definitely interested in expanding to a three or even four car operation in the future. The timing for 2024, however, just doesn’t line up as there are no charters for sale at this moment in time. And even if there were, the price tag would be astronomical.

You Need To Know:

• Unlike years past, expansion isn’t as easy or viable as just simply fielding another entry. For an expansion team to justify the expenses of being put together, it must be a part of NASCAR’s charter system which is essentially like a franchise similar to other sports. The payouts are better with charter cars and its more doable to turn a profit if a car is chartered. The problem is that there are only so many charters available, and unless NASCAR increases the number of charters from 36 (the current number) to 38 or 40, teams are going to have to pay a hefty fee to obtain one. This is why Dale Earnhardt Jr. hasn’t taken his JR Motorsports team to Cup yet. It’s just not financially viable to purchase any charter that could become available for the right price.
• It’s no surprise that RFK wants to expand in the future, especially with the freshness that new owner-driver, Brad Keselowski, has brought to the organization. RFK used to be one of the powerhouses in NASCAR, owning a whopping 5 cars in 2005 (this was before NASCAR set the 4-car max limit) which took up half of the 10-man Chase for the Cup field. Following the departures of Matt Kenseth and Carl Edwards, RFK took a steep nosedive in terms of performance. With Chris Buescher winning in two consecutive seasons, and the marked performance improvement of Bad Brad in the No. 6 when compared to his 2022 season, it makes perfect sense for the team to want to expand.
• Talk of a potential RFK expansion sparked a lot of interest for nostalgic NASCAR fans. We remember the Roush dominance of the 2003, 2004, and 2005 seasons and we would certainly like to go back there.

As Kenny Wallace said a number of weeks ago, racing is all about circumstances and timing. There are a lot of pieces to the charter puzzle. Many NASCAR team owners, including Denny Hamlin, want to see it be made permanent while NASCAR will not, as of this writing, commit to doing that. There’s also the TV rights deal in play. Perhaps we’ll know more about the charter system’s future and RFK’s future as well in the coming years once all of that gets hammered out.

The Main Characters

IF RFK expands in the future, no doubt owner-driver Brad Keselowski will spearhead the campaign. He’s already made a huge impact on that organization.

Chris Buescher has been the shining star at that organization since signing on back in 2020. With now two consecutive seasons with wins, one would only assume that he would benefit greatly from the added help of multiple teammates. Who knows, maybe he can even become the teams franchise driver.

Around The Garage

When Justin Haley first announced that he was moving from Kaulig over to Rick Ware Racing, it left a lot of fans scratching their heads. But obviously, he sees something that the rest of us don’t. Perhaps there is something cooking over at Rick Ware Racing. It was said at the time that Brad really wanted him and RWR has moved onto the RFK campus. Perhaps that is a potential route to expansion?

In The Stands

AAPCS_YT posts these OG photos from RFK’s prime. The left is Kurt Busch celebrating his championship in 2004. The right is Cousin Carl wining in the then-Nationwide Series. Oh, so many memories.

Andrew Hayes wonders what numbers they would use. He suggests the #26 or the #97. I like #26 because of…well, Brad. He went from the No. 2 to the No. 6…put them together and you get 26. Kinda cool. But again, I’m partial to the No. 29.

Bryce Avery thinks that until the two cars they already have are consistently contending for wins, they shouldn’t even dream about expansion. Some sound reasoning there. So, is RFK truly back or are they only good in single events? It’s a reasonable discussion. Let us know what you all think on our Twitter account…or X…or whatever we’re calling it these days.

Jake makes a very good point. With available charters being so rare and three viable teams eyeing expansion, who pulls together enough money to do it first.

Ricky advocates for RFK to return to the Xfinity Series. Hmm…interesting. I don’t know, I’d rather see Brad Keselowski Racing return down in the Truck Series and that be RFK’s primary feeder program. It can function like GMS in the trucks and LMC in Cup.

Trackhouse Fan Club suggests that they should just absorb Rick Ware Racing. I mean, the team is already on their campus…and it would be an out of the charter bidding war. Maybe.

its me with the Nord says that charters have killed independent racers and teams. I mean, I get it. I don’t love the charter system. But now that it is in place, I don’t see NASCAR disbanding it. The teams won’t let them.

CRJ says that the whole charter fiasco is precisely why SVG won’t get in a competitive ride. Maybe.

What do you think, Daily Downforce readers? Will RFK expand to a 3 car team in the future? Where will the charter come from? What number do you want to see on the side? Let us know that and much more on all of our socials. Keep it right here for all the latest NASCAR news stories and discussions.