The report that Brad Keselowski will be part-owner for Roush Fenway Racing starting next season may have just been confirmed by current Team Penske teammate Ryan Blaney.
During a media availability session after practice Friday (May 28) at Charlotte Motor Speedway, Blaney was asked if he knew anything about Keselowski’s plans.
”I didn’t hear anything about it until you all did,” Blaney said. “I wish him the best. It’s definitely a change. It’s exciting for him to become an owner again. It’s cool for him, so hopefully it works out good for him.”
The report, which was first released last week on Motorsport.com, said Keselowski was offered the opportunity to become part-owner and drive the No. 6 car for RFR, to be renamed to Roush-Fenway-Keselowski Racing.
Keselowski is driving this season for Team Penske on a one-year contract after a previous multi-year deal ended at the end of 2020. Given the current financial situation in the sport due to COVID-19, Keselowski likely believed that he would be unable to acquire the type of deal long-term that he would have wanted last year with any team. The thought was that there could be more money in play for him with the reduced costs that are supposed to be coming to the Cup Series with the introduction of the Next Gen car.
Through 14 races, Keselowski is currently ninth in points with a victory at Talladega Superspeedway, one stage victory and five top-five finishes. He also has three pole positions that he has earned via on-track performances. Despite these stats, Team Penske teammates Blaney and Joey Logano are both ahead of him in the standings.
When asked if he would be back with Team Penske in 2022, Keselowski responded, “I can’t talk about that, but I appreciate you asking. When I can, I’ll tell you.”
“When I can, I’ll tell ya,” @keselowski says on his 2022 plans.
Here’s the exchange with @Jordan_Bianchi and @bobpockrass pic.twitter.com/e12ZDvuGBI
— Alan Cavanna (@AlanCavanna) May 29, 2021
The No. 6 is currently driven by Ryan Newman. Newman is currently 21st in points with one top-five finish (fifth at Bristol Motor Speedway dirt track) and three top 10s. Teammate Chris Buescher is 13th in points with a regular stage victory at Homestead-Miami Speedway and three top 10 finishes. Buescher’s best finish of 2021 to this point was a seventh at Atlanta Motor Speedway.
No official announcements have been made in regards to Keselowski’s status for 2022.
About the author
Joy joined Frontstretch in 2019 as a NASCAR DraftKings writer, expanding to news and iRacing coverage in 2020. She's currently an assistant editor and involved with photos, social media and news editing. A California native, Joy was raised as a motorsports fan and started watching NASCAR extensively in 2001. She earned her B.A. degree in Liberal Studies at California State University Bakersfield in 2010.
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So… Cindric to the #2 and Matty D. stays in the #21? Somebody needs to ask Blaney about that. Did he get played by a crafty journalist or was it just a slip of the tongue?
Blaney was just repeating what he and the rest of the press has heard. He commented on the rumor. I dont see where he verified anything.
Who cares, I don’t. I left nascar the day they let Wallace bring his shit to the table. I don’t miss his crap one bit.