In a shocking turn of events, RFK Racing co-owner Brad Keselowski is set to leave the organization at the end of the 2026 NASCAR Cup Series season, leaving the 2012 series champion without a ride next year and unexpectedly opening up what is sure to become a highly coveted seat at one of Ford's top teams.
While retirement is certainly on the table for the 42-year-old, who suffered a major injury before the 2026 season started and has now missed the playoffs in back-to-back years, he has given no indication that he truly plans to hang it up.
Yet there are also very few seats still available in the 2027 lineup, and given the fact that he initially left Team Penske simply because he wanted to join a team in which he could have an ownership stake, that ongoing desire could further narrow his options.
Once presumed to be returning to the No. 6 Ford with no strings attached, where will Keselowski end up next year?
Kaulig Racing
While there is nothing concrete to suggest this link, it's the one that many in the NASCAR community feel makes the most sense. Keselowski has long been an advocate for Dodge to return to the sport, and Kaulig Racing currently run Ram Trucks in the Craftsman Truck Series, with this year marking the manufacturer's first Truck Series effort in a decade.
Keselowski won a championship for Dodge in 2012, and Kaulig Racing have yet to confirm their plans for the No. 10 Chevrolet next year. Matt Kaulig's team have already lost support from Chevrolet, due to their Ram ties in the Truck Series, and although a 2027 Dodge return to Cup seems unlikely, adding Keselowski could make a transition that much smoother in 2028. But would he also want an ownership stake?
Let's be clear; Kaulig himself has denied these rumors. But there's a difference between "I have not had any conversations" and "it will absolutely not happen". We've yet to hear the latter.
Spire Motorsports
Among race-winning, playoff-contending teams, Spire Motorsports are the only team with two seats still available for 2027. It's hard to imagine Daniel Suarez being a one-and-done, especially after a career resurgence that saw him win this year's Coca-Cola 600 and get into the playoffs on points. But what about Michael McDowell?
Keselowski would have to be considered an upgrade over McDowell, who didn't come particularly close to a playoff spot in 2025 or 2026. While he has said that he wants to be around until Tristan McKee, who just turned 16 years old, takes over, the 41-year-old might not get the luxury of making that decision, given his recent performance deficit to his teammates.
Yes, Keselowski's recent on-track run-in with Carson Hocevar could be an obstacle, but it's hard to imagine that that would be a total dealbreaker.
Team Penske
This possibility appears totally off the wall, given why he left Team Penske in the first place, and Austin Cindric has said that fans can expect to see him behind the wheel of the No. 2 Ford again next year amid what has been, by most accounts, a career year for him.
At this stage in his career, Keselowski really wouldn't seem like that much of an upgrade anyway, but Team Penske have had months to formalize Cindric's return and still haven't.
Sure, Keselowski's frustration with Ford at Gateway was evident. But that was due to Team Penske's superiority over RFK Racing. Perhaps a return to Ford's clear top team is not as far-fetched as it seems, when they never wanted to lose him to begin with.
Trackhouse Racing
Another wild card. Does Alex Bowman really want to do one more year with Hendrick Motorsports? Does Connor Zilisch really want to do one more year with Trackhouse Racing? Does Trackhouse really want him there for one more year in a "lame duck" year after already losing their prized prospect to Rick Hendrick's team?
Following the departure of Pitbull as a Trackhouse owner, this might be Keselowski's best chance to remain in the sport as an owner long-term, alongside Justin Marks. It might also save Marks from eventually having to sell the team amid a continued decline in performance, although that very decline could make Keselowski have second thoughts.
When Tyler Reddick announced his 23XI Racing deal in 2022, it was for 2024. Circumstances changed, and he ended up leaving Richard Childress Racing a year early. It's not out of the question that Zilisch could arrive at Hendrick in 2027, not 2028, thus leaving the door open for Keselowski. And despite Trackhouse's struggles, this might well be his best possible landing spot, both driver-wise and owner-wise.
Retirement
You can't ignore this possibility. Keselowski joined RFK Racing initially due to the fact that it would allow him to be a Cup Series owner long-term. He was viewed by many as the heir apparent to Jack Roush. And now, after just five years, that stint appears to be heading toward an early end. While only his departure as a driver has been confirmed, it's hard not to read between the lines.
Where else can Keselowski go that would offer him an ownership stake? Penske isn't it. Spire Motorsports has its own ongoing ownership controversy. And there are too many questions surrounding Kaulig and Trackhouse to argue that they'd be more stable long-term options than RFK. A move to either could be viewed as a knee-jerk reaction to a surprise departure.
RFK Racing was the ideal landing spot for a driver seeking exactly what Keselowski was looking for, but given an apparent difference of opinions on the team's long-term vision, the two sides are suddenly set to part ways. Perhaps retirement would be temporary before a real long-term opportunity arises down the road, but it wouldn't be completely shocking to see him out of the garage entirely in 2027.
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