Brad Keselowski shuts down claims of NASCAR ‘coercing’ teams to sign new charter deal

RFK Racing co-owner Brad Keselowski shares his thoughts on teams refusing to sign new charter deal and why they signed it.

Brad Keselowski shuts down claims of NASCAR ‘coercing’ teams to sign new charter deal

Brad Keselowski (Via IMAGO)

The 2024 NASCAR season was marked with the teams and the owners having stalemate over new charter agreement. It seems to be almost over with every team other than 23XI Racing and Front Row Motorsports signing the deal before the end of the deadline. But 23XI and FRM has put the sport in an unprecedented situation.

Amidst the drama over the two teams not signing, it was reported by AP that NASCAR coerced and threatened the teams into approving the deal. RFK Racing co-owner and driver Brad Keselowski has come forward debunking these claims. The 2012 Cup champion insist that they weren’t forced to do it by anyone.

Well, I don’t necessarily know where that’s coming from. Forced is a really strong term, but we are getting to a spot where it’s important to get these things settled. … We’re glad that the economics are improved and to go with where the media landscape has moved.
Brad Keselowski said via Fox Sports.

He and his team seem to are with the share they will get from NASCAR from the $7.7 billion media rights deal. Keselowski pointed out that the major hindrance to the deal has always been the media rights contract not getting renewed and once it was done the charter deal naturally got signed. It seems pretty odd claim considering how long it took to sign the new deal.  

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We’re certainly glad to see the sport perpetuate, you know right now the sport lives and dies off the media rights deal. There’s no getting around that. So, when the media rights deal got done this winter, that was a big, big deal for the sport, and now you’re seeing the dominoes falling behind that, but don’t forget what the first domino is.
Brad Keselowski added.
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Brad Keselowski respects the team’s decision to not sign the deal

The veteran racer earlier talked about 23Xi and FRM not signing the deal. He admitted that he has respect for the call from the owners, though they didn’t feel like it. RFK decided to sign because they felt it was the right decision.

Brad Keselowski
Brad Keselowski (Via IMAGO)
Certainly, respect their [23XI, FRM] decision-making ability…You know, for us, we felt it was right to do a deal and move forward.
Brad Keselowski said.

The points made by the former champion seems to indicate the most teams that signed gotten the deal the expected, unlike 23XI and FRM who feel NASCAR owes them more. It will be interesting to see how drama over the deal will now playout for all parties involved.

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