Brad Keselowski’s experience of having run over 600 races has helped drivers like Ryan Preece, who has already broken through with a win at the Cook Out Clash, and Chris Buescher, who continues to deliver steady, consistent results. While there have been encouraging signs in the Cup Series for RFK, things have not looked great in the O’Reilly Series. In an exclusive conversation thanks to Kickstand Cocktails, Keselowski opened up on what’s really holding RFK back from re-entering NASCAR’s O’Reilly Auto Parts Series and why the answer isn’t as simple as it seems.
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Funding roadblocks keep RFK’s O’Reilly ambitions on hold
“It takes a lot of money and focus. I think RFK could run a top-notch program in the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts series. But we can’t do it for free. And so you got to have the right partnerships, whether it be with sponsors or with, you know, OEM, and in our case, Ford, said Keselowski. “If that were to come along, we would absolutely be very interested in participating at a high level where we can compete for wins, that hasn’t happened.”
RFK (formerly Roush Racing) was a powerhouse in the then-Busch Series, helping talents like Greg Biffle, who climbed through the ranks to become a Cup contender. The organization captured five series championships with drivers such as Carl Edwards, Ricky Stenhouse Jr., and Chris Buescher. However, after 2018, the fortunes of the team in the competition changed.
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Sponsorship has been a major factor behind their scaling down. Running in the O’Reilly Series would require huge financial backing, and RFK has struggled to secure the consistent sponsorship needed to justify the investment.
Keselowski’s statement indicated that RFK isn’t just interested in returning to the track; they are interested in winning. However, until the right financial and manufacturer support from Ford Performance comes together, things are going to be difficult.
Ford’s shrinking O’Reilly presence
The bigger issue surrounding Ford Performance’s absence from the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts series isn’t just about teams stepping away. It’s about a shifting philosophy. At Rockingham, it became increasingly clear as only one Ford Mustang showed up on the grid, driven by veteran J. J. Yeley, finishing 20th.
Across the 2026 season, the number of entries has been low, as Haas Factory Team and RSS Racing switched manufacturers.
Financial pressure due to tariffs is another major reason behind them scaling down. Ford reported an 8.8% drop in sales in early 2026, alongside projections of a $1 billion hit tied to earlier trade policies under Donald Trump’s administration. Naturally, that forces prioritization, and NASCAR’s second-tier series isn’t at the top of that list.
Another reason could be a shift in strategy. Chevrolet and Toyota have dedicated developmental strategies for drivers. Corey Heim, one of the most talented young drivers, is a developmental driver with Toyota’s 23XI Racing. Ford, on the other hand, does not have a similar driver development pipeline. Their drivers, like Ryan Preece and Joey Logano, who have done well over the years, came through other teams.
So far this season, Ryan Blaney is the only driver from Ford who has looked solid, and the rest have struggled. There is still a lot of racing left, and things could still turn in their favor. Aside from big names like Blaney, Logano, and Keselowski, it is difficult to imagine any other driver could compete against drivers from Toyota. However, their strategy of identifying talent instead of developing them could be the reason why, and Ford might consider switching away from it if they don’t find success.
