Brad Keselowski, owner of RFK Racing, stands by his decision to hire Ryan Preece as the full-time driver for the No. 60 car in the NASCAR Cup Series. Although Preece, a native of Berlin, Connecticut, has yet to secure his first win with the team, Keselowski believes the breakthrough is imminent, drawing parallels between Preece’s performance and that of former RFK driver Chris Buescher.
Reflecting on Buescher’s trajectory, Keselowski recounted how the momentum from Buescher’s first win at Bristol in 2022 stalled, as the driver endured a wait of more than 10 months to claim his next victory at Richmond Raceway on July 30, 2023. Despite this gap, Keselowski remains optimistic about Preece’s chances to follow a similar path to success.
Keselowski Highlights Similarities Between Buescher and Preece
During a media session at Nashville Superspeedway, Keselowski explained the similarities he sees in Preece’s journey to what Buescher experienced early in his tenure with RFK Racing. He elaborated,
“It reminds me a lot of the Chris Buescher story, where people looked at it and said, ‘What do you see here?’ and ‘I don’t know if this is a good move.’… I just felt really strong about it. I like his work ethic, I like his talent, just feel like he wasn’t in the right situation, that same way I felt about Chris.” —Brad Keselowski, RFK Racing owner
Buescher’s persistence paid off with multiple wins, including a back-to-back win streak starting the week after Keselowski’s comments at Michigan Speedway, and a victory at the prestigious Coke Zero Sugar 400 held at Daytona International Speedway later that month.
“Three or four years ago, I felt like we were having the same conversation about Chris Buescher, and now Chris is clearly the guy for the 17 car, done all the right things, and producing results and I feel like we’re gonna be seeing the same thing in the next few years with Ryan,” he added. —Brad Keselowski, RFK Racing owner
Currently, Ryan Preece ranks 14th in the NASCAR Cup Series standings with 280 points. His season so far includes one top-five finish, five top-10 appearances, and leading a total of 49 laps, notably competing in the Cracker Barrel 400 at Nashville Superspeedway.
Ryan Preece Appreciates Keselowski’s Leadership
Having previously competed with Stewart-Haas Racing for two full seasons, Preece expresses a strong sense of belonging and progress with RFK Racing under Brad Keselowski’s guidance. Ahead of the race at Nashville Superspeedway, Preece shared his positive experiences working closely with Keselowski.
“I sat down with Brad a couple of weeks ago, and just, he’s been somebody that’s been really good to talk to about maybe some challenges that I have,” Preece explained. “Or, maybe some of the prep work, or how he goes about things. So, that’s been, that’s been really good to be a part of and have that.” —Ryan Preece, NASCAR driver
“I feel like we’re one thing away from clicking where we can start winning races, start leading laps, start showing what we’re capable of,” he added. —Ryan Preece, NASCAR driver
Preece, now 34 years old, is eager to secure his first victory with RFK Racing, knowing that a win would guarantee him a spot in the NASCAR playoffs. His calm confidence reflects a belief that his team is close to unlocking the competitive edge needed to achieve that goal.
The Future Outlook for Preece and RFK Racing
The parallels between Chris Buescher’s breakthrough progression and Ryan Preece’s current development offer a hopeful outlook for the RFK Racing No. 60 team. Keselowski’s faith in Preece’s abilities and work ethic, supported by steady improvements and consistent finishes, position the driver to contend for victories in the near future.
As the NASCAR season progresses, Preece’s ability to capitalize on opportunities and secure a first win will be crucial in shaping not only his career but also the team’s competitive standing. Keselowski’s management and Preece’s determination appear aligned to replicate the success that Buescher realized over the past few seasons.