As if the JGR-Spire saga wasn’t enough, NASCAR has another layer of drama. What initially looked like an amicable split between Brad Keselowski and RFK Racing has taken an unexpected turn, with the team’s other owners seemingly unwilling to hand Brad any more control than he already had within the organization.
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Turns out that Keselowski made an unsolicited bid to buy out RFK Racing. But the offer was rejected by the other owners last week, and he confirmed it himself to Sports Business Journal.
“I would say yes, there is truth that I made an unsolicited bid to buy RFK Racing; that was denied in the last week,” Keselowski was quoted as saying by Stern for SBJ. “I think it was a pretty solid and significant offer.”
Jack Roush, through Roush Enterprises, and Fenway Sports Group hold the other ownership interests in RFK. Their precise percentages have not been disclosed, and neither has the value of Keselowski’s offer.
The team has said it will work with him on the next steps regarding his existing stake, meaning his departure as a driver does not automatically settle his position as an owner. Also, RFK declined to comment to SBJ on the rejected bid.
Why Keselowski still wants a bigger piece of NASCAR ownership
The wider business climate offers some context for Keselowski’s interest. NASCAR’s December 2025 antitrust settlement with 23XI Racing and Front Row Motorsports established a framework for permanent, or evergreen, charters, subject to mutual agreement. The change gave teams greater long-term certainty over a key business asset and drew renewed attention to the financial value of owning a Cup Series operation.
Keselowski believes that interest is growing well beyond the sport’s traditional investor base.
“As Madison Avenue has really taken a whole new notice of NASCAR and the team ownership model in particular after the settlement of the lawsuit,” Keselowski said. “I think there is increasing interest—rapidly increasing interest—in NASCAR team ownership. And it’s something that I desire to be a part of.”
Plus, Keselowski has shown the difference he can bring to a team. He might not have blown his own horn, but others, including Dale Earnhardt Jr., have certainly noticed the difference he made.
“They started running better. They started winning races. I’m gonna tell you, man, before Brad, dude, things weren’t good,” Earnhardt said.
It’s not just Junior who sees the impact. Keselowski’s driver/teammate Chris Buescher had nothing but good words for him. He credited his mentor for the guidance.
“Brad has been a great mentor and has meant a ton to our resurgence and getting back to the point where we’re in the playoffs and in the hunt to win races and won a handful of races over the last several years. He will certainly be missed in a lot of ways,” Buescher said.
That foundation was built after Keselowski joined Roush Fenway Racing as a minority co-owner in 2021, ahead of his first season driving the No. 6 Ford in 2022. And the progress was visible on track.
Keselowski won at Darlington in May 2024, while RFK also returned to regular playoff contention and added victories through its other drivers. What had once been a struggling organization was building a more competitive future. Even then, in the end, the split could not be stopped.
However, the rejection does not establish that the offer caused the split, nor has either side publicly identified the reasons the other owners declined it.
What’s next for both parties?
Meanwhile, RFK currently has two charters and intends to field three Cup cars in 2027 while pursuing a third charter. At the same time, it must prepare for life without Keselowski in the No. 6 and find a new head of competition. The organization has yet to announce the car’s next driver, while Keselowski has not disclosed where he intends to race or pursue ownership next.
His future therefore remains unsettled on two fronts. He has made clear that he is not ready to walk away from driving, and his attempt to buy RFK shows that team ownership remains part of his ambitions. Whether he can find a way to pursue both goals elsewhere is still unknown. With his existing stake unresolved and the reasons behind the rejected offer undisclosed, the business fallout from his departure could keep NASCAR talking well beyond the end of the 2026 season.