RFK Racing hasn't fielded three full-time cars within the NASCAR Cup Series since 2016, but that changes in 2025 when the team will enter the No. 60 automotive alongside the No. 6 automotive driven by team co-owner Brad Keselowski and No. 6 17 driver Chris Buescher.
This newly announced entry might be piloted by none apart from Ryan Preece – the last of 4 Stewart-Haas Racing drivers to seek out a brand new position after the team closed its doors. Preece is a former NASCAR Whelen Modified champion with 187 Cup Series starts. This might be his sixth full-time season on the Cup level in a 3rd different outfit after stints with JTG-Daugherty Racing and SHR. He has never won on the Cup level, but has several Xfinity and Truck Series victories to his name.
The announcement includes the addition of Kroger as a significant sponsor, having already worked with Preece while he was employed at JTG. The company and 20 of its brands will appear in three cars throughout the 2025 season. Previously, Kroger had partnered with JTG because the 2010 season. The team will lease a charter from Rick Ware Racing for the 2025 season.
Roush was once a five-car, full-time super team, winning back-to-back championship titles in 2003 and 2004. In 2010 they began downsizing and over the following few years they lost several entry-level drivers. The former powerhouse has gone winless for years, with just two wins between 2014 and 2021. Since the 2014 season, not a single automotive has finished in the highest 10 in points. But when Keselowski arrived as co-owner and driver (after leaving Penske) in 2022, he quickly helped right the ship. They have since won six races within the last three seasons and took two cars all of the strategy to the playoffs last 12 months.
“We are excited to formally and publicly announce our expansion plans and the next step in our evolution at RFK,” said Steve Newmark, president of RFK Racing. “First, we would love to thank Kroger and the vision of Tad and Jodi (Geschickter), without whom we might not have the opportunity to maneuver forward with a 3rd automotive in 2025 and beyond. Their commitment on Kroger's behalf has not only allowed us to realize our growth goals in a way we’ve long expected, but in addition to proceed to push the boundaries relating to finding the competitive advantage needed to compete at the best level of NASCAR.
“Secondly, Ryan Preece is someone we recognized from day one when we discussed the third entry, and his young talent from the grassroots through to the Cup Series is something that excites us moving forward. On behalf of the entire RFK team, we look forward to the launch of the No. 60 with Ryan Preece and our larger Kroger partnership covering all three of our Ford Mustangs in 2025.”
Preece's former SHR teammates also found homes within the Cup Series. Chase Briscoe will drive the No. 19 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota, replacing the semi-retired Martin Truex Jr. Meanwhile, Josh Berry will pilot the enduring No. 21 Ford for the Wood Brothers, and Noah Gragson joins Front Row Motorsports.
