RFK Racing’s 2027 Crisis Explained
What’s Happening? As the 2026 season rolls on, several things are changing in the NASCAR garage, one of which is RFK…
Despite mounting odds (the Rick Ware Racing charter situation), RFK Racing remains steadfast in staying a three-car organization beyond 2026, even if it means fielding an open entry while searching for a permanent charter.
Speaking to SiriusXM NASCAR Radio this week about the team’s plans for the upcoming Silly Season, RFK Racing President Chip Bowers made it clear that scaling back to a two-car operation is not under consideration.
“I will tell you the No. 1 thing that’s non-negotiable inside the walls of this company is that we’re going to be a tier one team, and you can’t do that running a two-car operation,” Bowers said. “So, we will find a third charter. If we have to run open next season, we will do that. We’ve already communicated that with our staff and organization, and to our partners.”
Bowers, a veteran sports executive with over three decades of invaluable experience with NBA, WNBA, and MLB organizations, added that the entire company is aligned behind the plan to keep the No. 60 team on track regardless of its charter status.
As of now, RFK fields the No. 6 for Brad Keselowski, the No. 17 for Chris Buescher, and the No. 60 for Ryan Preece. However, the third team, the No. 60, has competed under leased Charters from Rick Ware Racing since its expansion to a full-time three-car operation.
The team used Rick Ware Racing’s Charter 27 in 2025 before switching to Charter 36 for 2026. However, Charter 36 is set to transfer to Legacy Motor Club following the settlement of its legal dispute with RWR last season, leaving Keselowski and Co., as of press time, without a charter for the No. 60 beginning in 2027.
That said, Keselowski also recently acknowledged that no charters are currently available for purchase, despite the team’s interest in securing one.
Meaning, RFK may have little choice but to field the No. 60 as an open entry while continuing its search for a long-term solution.
Reflecting on that situation, Bowers noted that the organization is well-positioned to handle the challenge. He added, “For us, all metrics are really positive, and we’re going to make sure that any decision on the third charter is one that’s going to allow us to sustain success for the long term.”
Furthermore, Bowers also acknowledged that charter valuations have surged in recent years, particularly after NASCAR’s charter-related litigation and the introduction of the new premier charter model.
“The value of the charter has never been greater than this coming out of the lawsuit last year and the dawn of the new premier charter,” Bowers said when asked about the specifics. “Do I think it’s worth what is advertised? No. I don’t know if the model supports that yet. I think we’re working towards that.”
For now, RFK appears willing to absorb the risks associated with running an open car rather than abandoning its expansion efforts.
What’s Happening? As the 2026 season rolls on, several things are changing in the NASCAR garage, one of which is RFK…
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