Brad Keselowski gives perfect response to Chase Elliott claim that NASCAR “rode the horse to death” with Throwback weekend

2012 Cup Series champion Brad Keselowski has shared his thoughts on Chase Elliott’s criticism of the Throwback weekend concept.

Brad Keselowski gives perfect response to Chase Elliott claim that NASCAR “rode the horse to death” with Throwback weekend

Brad Keselowski and Chase Elliott (Via IMAGO)

The NASCAR Cup garage is at Darlington Raceway for the 2025 regular season race, with special paint schemes honouring the legends of the sport. While the race fans are beyond excited to sees who has the best scheme and who is going to win the event, not all the driver shares that excitement over the throwback weekend.

Hendrick Motorsports’ 2020 Cup champion Chase Elliott was one of the drivers to question that relevance of having the throwback weekend. He highlighted how the tradition seems to have run its course and it’s time to put an end to it for good. 2012 champion and RFK Racing co-owner Brad Keselowski didn’t appreciate these comments.

I feel like it got old 4-5 years ago. Not to be a downer. … If we kept doing it down the road we’re gonna be throwing it back to me in 2018. … I think we’ve rode the horse to death.

Chase Elliott told Dalton Hopkins.

Via his official X handle, Brad Keselowski shared his thoughts and highlighted how he sees the fans being more excited than the usually are when he went to throwback merchandise haulers of the teams. He pointed out that the weekend connects the fans to the sports legacy and history in multiple meaningful ways.

I went to the merchandise hauler just now where it hit me. Seeing the fans all dressed up in older gear reminded me Throwback weekend is much bigger than paint schemes. This weekend connects new and old fans to our sport’s history in multiple meaningful ways for everyone to enjoy.

Brad Keselowski wrote on X.

Further talking about the point, Keselowski highlighted how he understands the driver’s frustration regarding finding the right throwback scheme. But he reminded them that this factor shouldn’t make them dismiss the race, as the fans love the concept.

I understand the frustrations of trying to execute a great scheme, but also think we should be careful to not dismiss the fans that absolutely love this race.

Brad Keselowski added.

William Byron agrees with Chase Eliott on the Throwback weekend argument

The No:24 Chevy driver William Byron, who is Chase Elliott’s teammate at Hendrick Motorsports, supports the comments made by the No:9 driver. He seems to believe that since it has been over 10 years, the throwback concept seems have become bit irrelevant.

William Byron
William Byron (Via IMAGO)

He pointed out that with almost all 40 of the cars participating in tradition, all of the legendary paint schemes have gotten their modern interpretations. Things are getting repetitive and teams are taking inspiration from the schemes used in the recent history.  

It’s definitely run its course, I feel like. … Between 40 cars, you cover most of the paint schemes at some point. I think maybe it’s something you bring back every few years. … Maybe it’s just getting a bit repetitive.

William Byron told Dalton Hopkins.

Richard Childress Racing veteran Kyle Busch, just like fellow veteran Brad Keselowski pointed out that the weekend is special for the fans and the driver miss that factor when the criticize it. It will be interesting to see whether it will be the comments of veteran’s or the youngster that align with the majority of personals in the series.