Kroger’s new home may be with Ford rather than Toyota. Recent rumors point to Brad Keselowski and Jack Roush’s RFK Racing as the new home of the longtime sponsor.
RFK Racing is no stranger to sponsor rumors. In the past ten seasons, they have lost notable sponsors, including Kohler, Nationwide Insurance, 3M, and Oscar Mayer.
Since bringing on Brad Keselowski as part owner and driver at the beginning of 2022, the team has seen an increase in overall production, be that wins, poles, and top fives. Many have linked them to potential expansion, specifically since Stewart-Haas Racing announced its closure and sale of charters.
That’s where Kroger steps in. The brand has been on the hood of a JTG-Daugherty Racing car since 2010. Speculation this season has tied the company to Joe Gibbs Racing for 2025; however, the rumor mill is pointing to RFK instead.
RFK has notable sponsorship from Fastenal, BuildSubmarines.com, and Castrol. However, Kroger’s pursuit could be due to the team’s recent rebirth in the Keselowski era, which has seen five wins in three seasons.
With the addition of a sponsor as loyal and, most crucially, as invested as Kroger is in NASCAR, the team could add a third charter for next season. Adam Stern, who brought this rumor to light, has also posed this question.
As Stern and many fans have pointed out, a potential option for that team could be Ford camp driver Ryan Preece.
Preece has floated around NASCAR for several years, including a stint at JTG-Daugherty Racing. His most recent venture has been with the shuttering Stewart-Haas Racing, where the driver has been less consistent.
Preece has shown promise, but his time with SHR should have been more notable.
Other Ford camp drivers could include Justin Haley. Haley is already with Rick Ware Racing, an associate of RFK. Haley has been tied to other teams but would be a solid option for the team.
What about the ThorSport drivers? Ben Rhodes, who is only 27, has dominated the Truck Series in past years, winning three races and a championship for the Blue Oval.
Ty Majeski was with Roush’s Xfinity program not even a decade ago and now finds himself back in a Ford with Thorsport. Majeski is a proven talent who could be a stable choice for a new third car.
Another potential is Riley Herbst. Herbst has been in the Xfinity Series with SHR for four seasons and looks prime for a ride at the next level. Having been tied to 23XI, if RFK were to buy a charter before 23XI, Herbst and loyal sponsor Monster Energy could remain with Ford.
However, all these names are rumors that will only come to light if RFK gets that elusive sponsor and third charter. While no one knows what will happen, this silly season remains one for the record books.
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