Brad Keselowski expressed his desire to revive the intense NASCAR rivalry with Kyle Busch ahead of the 2025 Brickyard 400 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Both drivers, familiar figures in the sport, have seen their competition cool in recent years as neither has consistently competed for wins, making a renewed feud contingent on improved performance.
Once a central storyline in NASCAR, the Keselowski-Busch rivalry has faded due to a mix of time, maturity, and a lack of front-running contention. Their recent joint appearance in a NASCAR promotion for the Homestead championship reignited some memories, prompting Keselowski to reflect on the current state of their rivalry. He stated,
“I think we’re both in a position where it’s hard to have a rivalry — and I’ve said this throughout my career — when you’re not competing for wins. And right now, neither of us are have been consistently in a spot where we’re competing for wins. And so, any type of rivalry is really just a distraction.” — Brad Keselowski
At present, neither Keselowski nor Busch is in the NASCAR playoffs as the regular season winds down. With five races remaining, Busch trails the playoff cutline by 39 points, and Keselowski sits 140 points below in 27th place with 360 points. This year’s playoffs still have four open spots, with 12 drivers having claimed victories so far.
Keselowski’s recent form includes just one victory in the past 154 races, secured in May 2024 at Darlington, while Busch’s struggles extend even further, having last won in June 2023 and missing the playoffs in the previous year. Keselowski acknowledged the rivalry’s decline stems from their current lack of contention for wins, but he remains hopeful for more intense competition.
“I’d love to rekindle that rivalry because in my eyes what that would mean is that we’re competing each other for wins. I always tell our people like, you have disagreements throughout the year — you don’t get in a fight over 15th place finishes… But, when you’re running up front, those are the good rivalries. I don’t think the two of us have seen each other much up front,” — Brad Keselowski
This candid reflection underscores where both drivers stand in their careers and highlights that genuine rivalry requires consistent competitiveness at the front of the field. This season, between the two, they have led 163 laps. Both are focused on reversing their fortunes as they prepare for the Brickyard 400 this Sunday.
The Enduring History Behind the Keselowski-Busch NASCAR Rivalry
The rivalry between Brad Keselowski and Kyle Busch is one of NASCAR’s longest-standing and most memorable conflicts, marked by aggressive racing and confrontations since its inception. The animosity began publicly in 2010 when Keselowski openly called Busch an insult during driver introductions at Bristol.
The tension escalated through significant on-track incidents and verbal spats over the years. They collided in a dramatic last-lap crash at Watkins Glen in 2012. The following year, Busch spun Keselowski in an Xfinity race at Kansas, prompting Keselowski to label him a “dirty racer.” Their feud reignited at Bristol in 2016 and flared again in 2017 when Keselowski criticized Toyota teams for “sandbagging,” fueling a war of words on social media.
Looking ahead to the Brickyard 400, both drivers face immense pressure to perform as the playoff battle intensifies. The race at Indianapolis Motor Speedway carries meaning for each; Keselowski claimed the Cup race win there in 2018 and triumphed in the Xfinity race in 2012. Over 12 Cup starts at Indy, he has earned six top-10 finishes, demonstrating competitive consistency.
Kyle Busch’s record at Indy is even stronger, with two wins and five top-five finishes. While Busch hasn’t dominated recently, his performance includes six top-15 finishes in the last nine races, signaling an upswing for his No. 8 Richard Childress Racing team. Keselowski’s recent form is comparable—he has secured five top-10 finishes in his last nine starts with an average finish of 14.7.
If one or both drivers can rediscover the speed and aggression that defined their past clashes, the intense rivalry that once captivated fans could quickly reignite.
Playoff Stakes and Future Prospects for Keselowski and Busch at Indianapolis
As the regular season nears its conclusion with only a handful of races remaining, Keselowski and Busch are locked in a critical fight for playoff relevance, and their performances at the Brickyard 400 could prove pivotal. Success at such a historic track could mark a turning point, offering momentum heading into the postseason.
A revival of the Kyle Busch Keselowski NASCAR rivalry depends largely on their ability to challenge for victories and impact the front of the field consistently. Until then, both drivers recognize that any rivalry existing without competing for wins serves little purpose beyond distraction.
For fans and the sport, the resurgence of this rivalry would bring a compelling narrative back to NASCAR’s playoff chase, adding drama and intensity to an already fierce competition as the 2025 season approaches its climax.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. Where will Kyle Busch go in 2026?
A. CONCORD, N.C. — Kyle Busch will carry on driving the No. 8 Chevrolet for Richard Childress Racing until the 2026 NASCAR Cup Series season ends. This announcement was made by Busch and RCR on Saturday at Charlotte Motor Speedway.
Q. Why did Kyle Busch restart 4th?
A. He didn’t collide with Ross Chastain or Kyle Larson and only brushed against the wall. Therefore, he was considered uninvolved in the incident, which allowed him to restart in his original position.