Brad Keselowski is now allowed to talk with different teams and manufacturers about the 2027 season, but the NASCAR champion, who confirmed he made a “very serious offer” to buy RFK Racing, admits it may be February before he has anything solidified. “Racing in the 2027 season is still not a guarantee for me, although it became a lot clearer and the path to get there is probably a little more visible,” Keselowski said Saturday during a lengthy press conference in Martinsville Speedway’s infield media center. “To not be able to race, though, would be devastating to me. This is my life. This what I love to do.” Keselowski admits he would like to remain in the Cup Series, but he does have the assets to field a truck team and “it is certainly something that interests me, but I’m not ready to commit to anything of that level.” He also said he hadn’t had a “meaningful discussion” with Dodge or RAM. “I’m certainly very open-minded to it, alongside all of the OEMs,” Keselowski said. “I haven’t given up on a relationship with Ford in the future as well, along with the other two OEMs of Chevrolet and Toyota. Everything is on the table right now for me. Brad Keselowski during practice for the Xfinity 500. “It’s a very fluid sport and things can change very quickly, and today’s truths are yesterday’s fiction. Circumstances change so rapidly. I could see a scenario that doesn’t develop until literally February of ‘27. Hopefully, we’ll have answers before then, but I don’t want to make any promises I can’t live up to.” Keselowski received his release from RFK Racing about an hour before he began his press conference. In a statement posted on X, RFK Racing said the two had reached a mutual agreement that allowed Keselowski to continue his driving career with another organization. “Moving forward, Brad will be a passive investor of RFK Racing, thus concluding his role in governance, competition oversight, and board participation,” the statement read. Keselowski owns 20 percent of RFK Racing. He has agreed not to take any sponsors with him that he brought to the organization. “I made a very serious offer to purchase RFK,” Keselowski said, noting he couldn’t go into specifics. “There’s a lot of interest in this sport on the ownership front and it’s never been hotter. The closing of the (antitrust) lawsuit in the last 12 months has dramatically affected the perception of the sport. The sport is now viewed as an ownership asset.” Now that Keselowski has his release he: Can have “meaningful” engagement in the opportunities that exist. Can work on finding the right media and marketing partners. Will begin the process of selling his 20 percent equity in RFK so he will have a full release to do what he wants for the rest of his career. Keselowski said that in the five years he was with RFK the “team doubled in value and doubled in sponsorship.” He also expected the team to be his “forever home” when he joined it as a minority owner. The Michigan native said he began negotiating with the organization about 11 months ago about extending his five-year driver contract that expired this year. Brad Keselowski and Chris Buescher. “The team and I got in some really deep discussions,” Keselowski said. “I wanted to keep driving and to continue my role in the competition group for many years to come. Unfortunately, what became very clear in the negotiation is my partners saw that differently, and we were not able to come to an agreement.” Keselowski said his interaction with his partners wasn’t “adversarial.” They just had a difference of opinion on how they viewed the company’s future and its path moving forward. That resulted in a “strong impasse”, he said. “I learned a tremendous amount and although I didn’t achieve all the goals that I wanted to achieve (with RFK), I learned enough that I feel like I’m ready … for the next opportunity that comes in front of me on all levels, whether that’s as a driver, owner or manager,” Keselowski said. Looking to purchase a car? Find your match on the MSN Autos Marketplace
Liked by Camille Brown, Jenna PelletierLiked by Camille Brown, Jenna Pelletier
Liked by Camille Brown, Jenna Pelletier
