The bombshell of NASCAR Cup Series silly season came after it was widely believed that there would be no more big surprises in the 2027 driver lineup, and that bombshell arrived on Tuesday, when it was confirmed that team co-owner Brad Keselowski will not be back with RFK Racing next year.
The departure is likely to include his departure as an owner, rather than just as a driver, and he doesn't currently appear to have any plans to hang up his helmet just yet. Either way, the No. 6 RFK Racing (or Roush Fenway Racing) Ford suddenly does not have a confirmed driver for next year.
RFK Racing are only in line to have two charters next year, with their third, which is currently leased out by Rick Ware Racing, having been sold by Ware to Legacy Motor Club. They have indicated they still plan to run three cars next year. What does the future hold for this organization?
Here are five possible replacements for Brad Keselowski.
Ryan Preece
This almost feels too obvious, whether they stick with two cars or move to three. If RFK Racing do indeed downsize to two cars, Ryan Preece would slide over to the No. 6 Ford; the team would undoubtedly cut the No. 60, which was added for Preece in 2025, as opposed to their iconic No. 6. Even if they stick with three cars, moving the veteran to the flagship car makes sense.
John Hunter Nemechek
Speaking of Legacy Motor Club, it's John Hunter Nemechek who surprisingly finds himself without a ride for 2027, even though he was initially expected to return to the team amid their own expansion from two to three cars. As far as drivers with Cup experience looking for new homes, Nemechek has to be considered at the top of the list. Sure, he's not necessarily one of the top free agents even this year alone, but his strides since 2024 are undeniable.
Nick Sanchez
This one feels like a longshot, but Nick Sanchez put his name on Ford's radar when he was initially the manufacturer's only full-time driver in the O'Reilly Auto Parts Series earlier this year with AM Racing, before they shut down. He's now with Chevrolet at Peterson Racing, but this is a driver who has proven to be able to do more with less. Him landing a top-level opportunity after losing two in the space a few months, through no fault of his own, would be a win for the "little guy".
Layne Riggs
Layne Riggs was completely snubbed by Front Row Motorsports when they opted to re-sign Noah Gragson instead of promoting the driver who has won them six races in the Craftsman Truck Series this season. Yes, his 2027 Truck return was recently announced by the team, but stranger things have happened, and if that contract is not watertight, RFK Racing should break from their norm and actually try to make an aggressive move.
Ty Dillon
Admittedly, the hot rumor currently has nothing concrete to back it up, but Keselowski moving to Kaulig Racing, which run Ram Trucks in the Craftsman Truck Series, to be a part of an eventual Dodge return to the Cup Series makes a ton of sense. Kaulig Racing haven't yet confirmed Ty Dillon's return, and while NASCAR fans have basically come to accept that he is not a Cup-level driver, Dillon continues to manage to stick around, year after year. Given their lack of aggression in recent free agency periods, this move theoretically has RFK written all over it.
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