Roush Fenway Racing re-brands as RFK Racing with the addition of Brad Keselowski

 

RFK Racing

    It was confirmed earlier today (11/16/21) that Roush Fenway Racing, a fan favorite team in the NASCAR Cup Series will undergo some ‘cosmetic’ changes as they roll into the 2022 season. Roush Fenway Racing for all intents and purposes will from here on out be known as RFK Racing (Roush-Fenway-Keselowski Racing), as Brad Keselowski begins his ownership with the team.

RFK Racing will also re-brand the No. 6 car, changing it's font to one reminiscent of the one used by Mark Martin and Roush prior to the 1998 season (see photo below).

Mark Martin wins the 1997 "Winston" 500 at Talladega Superspeedway, scoring his first victory in nearly two years (Photo by ISC Archives via Getty Images) 

This 33 year old team will see its name change for a second time since it’s inception. Back in 2007, nearly 15 years ago Roush Racing became Roush Fenway Racing, as Fenway Sports Group bought a stake in the organization. Now, a recent champion like Brad Keselowski, with all of his race winning knowledge will  bring not only a name change for the team, but (hopefully) a competition change.

Keselowski who joined Team Penske in 2010 has mostly seen success throughout his career, and has witnessed first hand what it takes to achieve it. With the 37 years old driver taking partial ownership in Roush Fenway Racing, he brings with him successful personal such as Matt McCall, TJ Majors, Nick Case, Jonathan Branzelle, Josh Sell, as well as nameless others to the organization. Most, if not all of these individuals have been a part of race winning organizations, which could make a huge difference for a team like Roush Fenway Racing who has seen difficulties in competition throughout the past several years.

Jack Roush's race organization, once considered to be of championship caliber has not seen a dominant season since at least the early 2010's and has been unable to score any victories since 2017 when Ricky Stenhouse Jr. scored two. It's clear that the group that brought success to drivers like Mark Martin, Matt Kenseth, Carl Edwards, Kurt Busch, and Greg Biffle is in need of some re-organization.

Luckily a driver like Brad Keselowski, although showing some less than perfect results throughout the past few season's at Pesnke, will be able to bring a new perspective to the team's competition. This driver has seen more recent success in the NASCAR Cup Series than many of the individuals at Roush Fenway, it only makes sense that he will bring a competitive edge to the team. Likewise, even though Roush Fenway has seen some issues with their competition recently, Jack Roush and Fenway Sports Group provide some very important corporate relationships, something that might aid Keselowski as none of his sponsors will jump ship with him to the new RFK Racing.

While this is a hopeful combination, the group's announcement in July (2021), as well as their re-branding this November (2021) is not enough to alone change the trajectory of the team. Hard work will need to be put in, and revolutionary tactics will need to be implemented into the team's competition. Luckily the Next Gen car, specifically the Mustangs that RFK Racing will field will ease this process.

The Next Gen car, or the Gen-7 Cup Car, brings all sorts of unknowns to the NASCAR Cup Series for 2022. For smaller or less competitive teams like RFK Racing, this leveling of the playing field will work in their favor, as they will now have an opportunity to discover new aspects of the car before bigger stronger organizations do, or at least at the same rate.

Obviously, Brad Keselowski joining RFK Racing will not be enough to launch the organization to become a Championship contender, but over the next few seasons other factors might. For now, the goal for the team should be a bid at the post-season, or the playoffs, because I am confident that it is within their reach.

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