Editor’s Note: Today’s RFK Racing preview continues NASCAR.com’s countdown of team previews for the 2024 Cup Series season.
ROUSH FENWAY KESELOWSKI RACING
Manufacturer: Ford
Engine: Roush Yates Engines
Driver-crew chief pairings: Brad Keselowski – Matt McCall (No. 6), Chris Buescher – Scott Graves (No. 17)
Team outlook: The 2023 season was definitely Chris Buescher’s year, with three wins and a seventh-place standings finish, both easily career highs. While the native Texan looks to build upon last year’s momentum, 2024 could very well be Brad Keselowski’s turn to elevate back to championship contender. The 2012 title winner had a strong 2023 campaign and although he failed to reach Victory Lane, he had seven top fives and 16 top 10s. Keselowski is a win waiting to happen.
RELATED: All of RFK Racing’s wins by driver
BRAD KESELOWSKI, NO. 6 FORD
Experience: 14 full-time NASCAR Cup Series seasons and total series 521 starts (35 wins, 146 top fives and 249 top 10s)2023 stats: 0 wins, seven top fives, 16 top 10s, finished eighth in final Cup standings2024 championship odds (DraftKings): 18-1
Outlook: After a strong comeback year in 2023, including making the playoffs after missing it by quite a margin a year prior, 2024 should be a continuation of Keselowski’s comeback to greater Cup success. This season should include the likelihood of him making it back to Victory Lane, as well, which he hasn’t visited in nearly three years (April 25, 2021 at Talladega).
Just think about that for a minute: the same driver who won 34 races in 13 years from 2011-21 – including the Cup championship in 2012 – hasn’t earned a win in his last 92 starts. If anyone is overdue to bounce back for a win – or more than one win – it’s Kes.
RELATED: Brad Keselowski through the years | All of Keselowski’s Cup wins
BOLD PREDICTION: Buescher’s three wins last season proved RFK has the power to reach Victory Lane. Keselowski came close to winning himself in 2023 with seven top-five finishes, including runner-up showings at Atlanta in the spring and the late summer race at Daytona. Matt McCall is one of the most underrated crew chiefs in the business and, like Keselowski in his new venture as driver/owner, is waiting for his breakout year. All the ingredients are there for both Keselowski and McCall in 2024, so let’s get bold: Keselowski makes the Round of 8 and if he gets a win in that pivotal penultimate round, he could very well be a favorite in the Championship 4 final.
CHRIS BUESCHER, NO. 17 FORD
Experience: Eight full-time NASCAR Cup Series seasons and 293 total series starts in his Cup career, (5 wins, 19 top fives and 55 top 10s)
2023 stats: 3 wins, 9 top fives and 17 top 10s, finished seventh in final Cup standings
2024 championship odds (DraftKings): 20-1
Outlook: Buescher may be a NASCAR Cup veteran with eight full-time seasons under his belt, but he massively exploded onto the scene even more in 2023 with his three wins and nine top fives, both career bests. By comparison, his best season prior to 2023 was 2022, when he had one win, three top fives and 10 top 10s.
Buescher always had the talent, but it appears he finally has the equipment to match. Now in his fifth season with RFK Racing, he has all the tools he needs to win – and he proved it last season. The season outlook looks so good for Buescher that, like the mid-80s pop song from TIMBUK 3, “The future’s so bright, (he’s) gotta wear shades.”
RELATED: Chris Buescher through the years | All of Buescher’s Cup wins
BOLD PREDICTION: What does Buescher do for an encore in 2024? We can easily see him winning multiple races again and have a strong run in the playoffs. Like teammate Keselowski, Buescher should be able to reach the Round of 8 in the playoffs and maybe even make it into the Championship 4. Frankly, while some people may look at RFK as an underdog, it likely will prove it’s much more than that in 2024 and maybe even a Championship 4 lock. Right now, it possesses one of the best 1-2 driver lineup punches in Cup.
NASCAR.com 2024 team previews schedule
Jan. 15: Legacy Motor Club
Jan. 16: Spire Motorsports
Jan. 17: Kaulig Racing
Jan. 18: Wood Brothers Racing
Jan. 22: Rick Ware Racing
Jan. 23: Richard Childress Racing
Jan. 24: Stewart-Haas Racing
Jan. 25: Front Row Motorsports
Jan. 26: JTG Daugherty Racing
Jan. 29: Trackhouse Racing
Jan. 30: RFK Racing
Feb. 6: 23XI Racing
Feb. 7: Joe Gibbs Racing
Feb. 8: Hendrick Motorsports
Feb. 9: Team Penske