UPDATE Friday, June 25th, 2021:
Roush Fenway Keselowski Racing is a done deal, according to a Tweet from Sports Business Journal’s Adam Stern, that says the organization has told its partners that the team has signed Brad Keselowski – currently at Team Penske — to become a driver and co-owner of the organization beginning in 2022.
The Tweet also mentions that the organization has held off on an official announcement in deference to Team Penske.
.@RoushFenway has told partners that it has a done deal with @Keselowski to become driver and co-owner starting in 2022, per sources, though it has held off on announcing in deference to @Team_Penske.
? @Jim_Utter first reported in May that Keselowski was considering the offer. pic.twitter.com/Odn1rlw7P3
— Adam Stern (@A_S12) June 25, 2021
Brad Keselowski has a history as an owner in NASCAR. He established Brad Keselowski Racing in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series from 2007 to 2017, leading to an impressive development of Ford drivers including Chase Briscoe, and defending Xfinity Series champion Austin Cindric.
Now, the Michigan driver could head back into an ownership role with another Ford operation according to a new report from Motorsport.com’s Jim Utter.
Utter reported Tuesday morning that Keselowski has been offered a deal to drive the No. 6 Ford Mustang at Roush in 2022, which would include a rebranding of the organization – Roush Fenway Keselowski Racing.
NEWS: Brad @Keselowski could become the next owner/driver in #NASCAR https://t.co/CrWmQSI0ro via @motorsport
— Jim Utter (@jim_utter) May 18, 2021
The idea is not as far-fetched as it may sound. Keselowski has expressed on multiple occasions in recent years that he has eyes on becoming an owner in NASCAR once again.
Specific details of the offer are unavailable, including what would happen to Ryan Newman. Should Newman want to stay and sponsorship can be found, Newman could move to a third car, marking the first time since 2016 that RFR would move back to a three-car operation.
According to Utter, an announcement regarding the entire deal, should Keselowski accept, may not come until the fall due to his current contract with Team Penske. His contract is set to expire at the end of the season after inking a one-year deal in 2020.
Should the deal be complete, Keselowski would become the second driver in the Cup Series in two years to join an ownership role, with Denny Hamlin establishing 23XI with Michael Jordan.
The deal also can send a ripple effect across the Team Penske organization. Cindric is slated to take over the Wood Brothers No. 21 in 2022, with an expectation of a move to Penske when he’s ready in the eyes of the organization. Should Keselowski vacate the No. 2 seat, could Cindric be sent directly to the No. 2 while Matt DiBenedetto, who is seeking a ride in 2022, remains in the Ford camp? Or even DiBenedetto getting a one-year nod to Penske before the expected switch to Cindric from Wood Brothers Racing?
To read the full report on Motorsport.com, click here.
4 Responses
Brad would be a good owner.