With momentum on their side and a new three-car operation, RFK Racing is heading into the 2025 Daytona 500 with renewed confidence and unfinished business. Co-owner Brad Keselowski, a former Cup Series champion, has won almost everything in NASCAR—but not the Great American Race. Now, after small but crucial victories in 2024, RFK Racing is determined to bring home the Harley J. Earl Trophy.
But can they really challenge the heavyweights like Team Penske, Joe Gibbs Racing, and Hendrick Motorsports? Or will RFK’s resurgence hit a wall on NASCAR’s biggest stage?
RFK Racing’s Daytona Drought: Is the Team Ready to Break Through?
Statistically, RFK Racing’s track record at Daytona in the Next Gen era hasn’t been spectacular. Chris Buescher’s fourth-place finish in the 2023 Daytona 500 is the only standout result. But as history shows, Daytona is unpredictable—and past struggles don’t necessarily dictate future success.
In fact, RFK Racing’s performance in last year’s fall race at Daytona (Coke Zero Sugar 400) suggests that they’ve cracked the code.
🏁 Buescher won the Coke Zero Sugar 400 in 2023
🏁 Keselowski finished runner-up in the same race
With better handling, improved superspeedway setups, and increased team depth, RFK has the pieces to make a real run at Daytona this time around.
And Keselowski knows it.
“There’s never been a race that we prepared more for every year than the Daytona 500, and I feel like we’ve been so close. Can’t wait to see if we can break through in 2025.”
Keselowski and Bullins Reunite: A Game-Changer?
One of RFK’s biggest offseason moves was bringing back crew chief Jeremy Bullins to work with Keselowski again.
🚀 The Keselowski-Bullins partnership has delivered results before:
✅ 5 wins together during the 2021-2022 campaigns
✅ 2020 runner-up in the Cup Series championship
✅ Proven ability to build cars that perform in high-pressure situations
This reunion adds another layer of optimism for RFK Racing, especially on superspeedways like Daytona, where pit strategy and crew chief-driver chemistry are game-changing factors.
The Challenge: RFK vs. NASCAR’s New Powerhouses
While RFK Racing is on the rise, the competition in NASCAR’s 2025 season is fiercer than ever.
🚨 Other teams expanding to three-car operations:
🔹 23XI Racing (Toyota-backed, championship-contending team)
🔹 Trackhouse Racing (Fast-growing Chevrolet team with strong driver lineup)
RFK isn’t just chasing legacy teams like Hendrick, JGR, and Penske anymore—they also have to battle the new wave of contenders.
Still, Keselowski isn’t backing down from the fight.
“We want to win multiple races, we want to put all our cars into the playoffs. And at least get one of them to make a deep run in the playoffs.”
So… Is RFK Racing a Daytona 500 Favorite?
Here’s why they just might be:
✅ Momentum from 2024: Buescher’s Coke Zero Sugar 400 win and Keselowski’s runner-up finish prove they can compete at Daytona.
✅ Upgraded three-car team: More cars = better strategy, better drafting partners, and increased odds of winning.
✅ Keselowski-Bullins reunion: Proven chemistry that could deliver big results.
✅ Superspeedway strengths: RFK has consistently improved on high-speed tracks.
The Verdict: RFK Racing is a Legitimate Contender—But They Need a Perfect Race
RFK has all the ingredients to pull off a Daytona 500 win—but as always, luck, strategy, and execution will be crucial.
If they can avoid “The Big One”, execute on pit road, and stay in contention late, expect Keselowski or Buescher to be in the mix for the win on the final lap.
Is 2025 the year RFK finally conquers Daytona? The pieces are in place—now it’s up to them to deliver.
