For the first time in a long time, the big news of a NASCAR Cup Series race week did not involve the name "Carson Hocevar" and some sort of on-track/off-track run-in with a competitor, leading up to Sunday's playoff race at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.
Instead, it was announced that Brad Keselowski and RFK Racing, where the 2012 series champion has served as a co-owner since 2022, would be parting ways at the end of the 2026 season.
The news came as a shock, after Keselowski had long insisted that the team would continue to run as a three-car operation in 2027, even with one of their three charters, the one they are currently leasing from Rick Ware Racing, set to move to Legacy Motor Club.
Even amid Keselowski's planned departure, they still plan to run three cars, with a third driver yet to be named as the teammate for Chris Buescher and Ryan Preece.
And guess what? Keselowski could technically still be their third driver in the No. 6 Ford.
Brad Keselowski could return to RFK Racing
Wait, what?
Fox Sports' Bob Pockrass confirmed before the Las Vegas race that Keselowski is not ruling out a return to the team he just announced he's leaving after the 2026 season.
Brad Keselowski addressed the media:
— Bob Pockrass (@bobpockrass) October 3, 2026
-wouldn't go into details of what happened but said it became clear over last 30 days this was way it likely would go
-doesn't have anything signed for next year and wouldn't rule anything or any series out (including returning to the. 6).
What is actually going on here? First of all, Keselowski's departure from the team was confirmed to be a departure from the No. 6 Ford, not necessarily a departure from the team as a co-owner, although that was largely implied. Yet now he might actually be back in the race car next year?
There have been conflicting reports about why Keselowski is leaving, with several suggesting that he and the other co-owners disagreed on the long-term vision of the team moving into 2027 and beyond.
RFK President Chip Bowers said it came down to Keselowski wanting to continue racing for several years while the team wanted him to start focusing on running competition. Says Kroger didn't demand chartered car. Says no sponsorship will be impacted.
— Bob Pockrass (@bobpockrass) October 3, 2026
This makes the possibility of Keselowski of returning to the No. 6 car a lot more intriguing, and dare we say it, possibly more likely than it appears.
Keselowski wants to run several more years. RFK Racing doesn't want him to run several more years. Could they agree to terms on a one-year or a two-year deal that ultimately leads straight into retirement, thus allowing him to return to the No. 6 car, just not on an indefinite basis?
Why that makes even more sense is because of why Keselowski joined RFK Racing in the first place: he wanted to be a Cup Series team owner over the long haul. It's something that longtime home Team Penske couldn't offer. Is he really willing to give that long-term dream up just because he's insistent of driving into his 50s?
There are so many questions without answers here. But it's entirely possible than an unexpected twist in what had been another largely quiet silly season might end up being untwisted after all.
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