Brad Keselowski Set to Remain as a “Passive Investor” in RFK Racing Despite Exit Announcement

One of the most surprising news from the NASCAR garage this year was the split of RFK Racing and co-owner Brad Keselowski. The 2012 Cup champion will exit the team after the 2026 season and is in negotiations with new teams over a 2027 seat. Stalemate over plans for the future of the team let to the unexpected exit.  

One major topic of discussion after the announcement was about what will happen to the ownership stake of the champion driver. He joined the team after acquiring 6% of the shares and over the last four years have acquired a 20 percent stake. The veteran is looking to sell his shares in the team, after the split.

Before he made a decision on the sale, he attempted to buy the team outright, with the support from outside investors, but the bid was rejected. This put the racer in a serious predicament, as the contracts barred him from racing for any other teams or OEM. But RFK and the veteran have come to a mutual agreement to circumvent the issue.

Via a public statement, the team has confirmed that after the end of the 2026 season, the former Cup champion would become a passive investor at RFK. Brad Keselowski would have no involvement in governance, competition oversight, and board participation of the team, starting from the 2027 season.

RFK Racing and Brad Keselowski have come to a mutual agreement that will allow Brad to continue his driving career with another organization. Moving forward, Brad will be a passive investor of RFK Racing, thus concluding his role in governance, competition oversight, and board participation. We thank Brad for his many contributions to RFK Racing and wish him the best of luck with the remainder of his racing career.

RFK Racing via a public statement.

https://t.co/scFt0dGAxS

— RFK Racing (@RFKracing) October 31, 2026

Brad Keselowski and RFK are yet to put the deal on paper

In his highly anticipated press-conference at Martinsville, the champion driver talked about the deal that was revealed to the public by RFK. He admitted that they have reached a verbal agreement on releasing him of any restrictions in 2027.

This will allow the racer to be more active in the negotiations over the 2027 season with rival Cup teams. He has no restrictions regarding the team or manufactures he could sign for the next season. The veteran is also allowed to seek an owner-driver opportunity is the Truck Series.

Very recently, we came to a verbal agreement, hopefully soon a written agreement, to release of my restrictions that would keep me from racing in the 2027 season in the Cup Series as a driver or as an owner and driver in the NASCAR Truck Series.

Brad Keselowski said at Martinsville.

The new RFK deal might inspire the veteran to bring back Brad Keselowski Racing team, that once used to dominate the lower divisions. It would be interesting to see how everything is going to playout for the racer in the upcoming years.

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