The Keselowski name is etched into the fabric of NASCAR history, spanning three generations of racers who’ve lived, breathed, and built their lives around motorsport. But Brad Keselowski, the 2012 NASCAR Cup Series champion and co-owner of RFK Racing, has taken a road less traveled to carve his legacy—not beneath the hood but behind the scenes.
A family steeped in racing
The Keselowski story began in 1957 when Brad’s grandfather, John Keselowski, took his first lap as a driver. By 1971, John’s sons, Bob and Ron, had taken over the family team, bringing technical prowess to the forefront. Bob, Brad’s father, was a master mechanic whose skill with springs and shocks made him a dominant force in the ARCA Menards Series, winning 24 races and the 1989 championship. He carried his expertise to the NASCAR Truck Series, where he won a championship in 1997.
Bob’s dedication to the technical side of racing was unmatched. For him, the thrill lay in building a faster car, not in managing people or crunching numbers. But for Brad, the spark of passion came from an entirely different aspect of racing.
Brad’s departure from the family mold
In a candid appearance on the Dale Jr. Download, Brad Keselowski reflected on his father’s approach to racing and how their differences shaped his career. “My dad was not an exceptional businessman,” Brad shared. “He loved the technical challenge of racing. He was a guy that was like, ‘I’m gonna come up with a better spring or a better shock and I’m gonna beat you.’ But he didn’t care for managing people. That was not him.”
Brad, however, gravitated toward the business and strategy side of the sport. At just 14, he was serving as the family team’s engineer, running formulas and working in wind tunnels to optimize car performance. While his brother followed their father’s path, diving under cars to swap gears, Brad’s strength lay elsewhere.
“I think my dad hated that I wasn’t into the technical stuff,” Brad admitted. “But it just shows there’s more than one way to do this, more than one way to be successful.”
The RFK Racing revival
Keselowski’s knack for management and strategy came full circle in 2022 when he left Team Penske to co-own and drive for RFK Racing. The Concord, North Carolina-based team, founded by Jack Roush, was a storied powerhouse in NASCAR with eight championships but had struggled to stay competitive in recent years. Brad’s arrival injected fresh energy and vision into the operation.
Under Keselowski’s leadership, RFK Racing has secured five Cup Series wins, including two in a breakout 2023 season. His attention to detail, strategic mindset, and hands-on management style have rejuvenated the team, proving his philosophy: success isn’t just about building fast cars—it’s about building a winning culture.
Beyond the track
Brad’s accomplishments go beyond his role as a driver and team owner. He’s a business-minded innovator who sees racing as more than just a sport; it’s a platform for growth and opportunity. His insights into managing people, leveraging technology, and balancing tradition with innovation have turned RFK Racing into a modern contender.
Legacy redefined
Brad Keselowski’s journey from a racing-obsessed teenager to the co-owner of one of NASCAR’s most iconic teams underscores the power of finding your own path. Where his father excelled in building machines, Brad has thrived in building teams—each generation of the Keselowski family leaving its unique mark on motorsport.
As RFK Racing heads into another season with momentum, the question isn’t whether Brad Keselowski will succeed but how much further he can push the boundaries of NASCAR excellence.