2022 Season in Review: RFK Racing

Perhaps the biggest silly season news of 2021 was Brad Keselowski buying ownership stake and joining Roush Fenway Racing. Leaving his top ride at Penske Racing, Keselowski ventured back into NASCAR ownership. Now dubbed RFK Racing, fresh life was seemingly pumped into the team. After the glory days of the mid-2000s, RFK Racing had fallen off drastically. A mid-pack team for most of the 2010s, Keselowski’s move seemed to signal the beginning of a new era. Would 2022 be the start of that era or more of the same from the Roush name?

Brad Keselowski – #6

2022 Stat Line: 36 Starts – 1 Top-5, 6 Top-10s, 1 Pole, Avg Fin: 19.2

Crew Chief: Matt McCall

Driver’s Points Ranking: 24; Owner’s Points Ranking: 25

Notable Results: Win in Daytona Duel race; Pole at Fall Texas; Docked 100 points by NASCAR for modifications to the NextGen car

Heading into the 2022 season, it was difficult to pinpoint what to expect out of Brad Keselowski. Based on Keselowski as a driver, it would be easy to expect the same results as he had been producing. In 2021, Keselowski finished sixth in points with a win and an average finish of 13.3. The year prior, the former champion was the runner-up to Chase Elliott for the Cup Series title. However, the equipment Keselowski was switching to was a significant step down from Penske. Ryan Newman averaged a 22.5 finish for Roush in the 6 car in 2021.

The 2022 season started out great for Keselowski at Daytona. Winning the first qualifying race and running strong in the Daytona 500, the season was looking promising. Then the rest of the year happened. Whatever could have gone wrong did go wrong for Keselowski. In one season, Keselowski was docked 100 points, disqualified after a race (where he finished in the Top-5), and failed to win a race. 2022 was the first winless season for Keselowski since 2010, his first year with Penske.

Not only were the finishes poor, the speed was consistently lacking. While Chris Buescher was having a career season, Brad Keselowski was having a career worse. Keselowski only led a lap in six races. If not for the Daytona 500 and Bristol night, Keselowski’s laps led count would not have reached triple digits.

2022 Grade: F

The move to buy equity in Roush Fenway Racing was a long-term project for Brad Keselowski. Nobody should have expected Penske level results from the RFK entry immediately. However, the results on the track were awful. Only one Top-5 in a season where the parity in the Cup Series was higher than ever is a bad look. Keselowski never was a race winning threat outside of the Daytona 500 and the Bristol Night race. Bad luck hurt Keselowski at times, but the team simply looked outclassed most weekends.

2023 Driver Outlook

For Brad Keselowski, there is nowhere to go but up for the 2023 season. The road to rebuilding RFK Racing back into its former glory of the 2000s has been bumpy for the 6 team. However, Keselowski is a skilled driver and team owner. His truck series team was a successful one, housing numerous future Cup Series winners. Many fans would expect Keselowski to bounce back with a win and playoff appearance in 2023.

If the past is any indication, 2023 could be that bounce back year many are expecting. Keselowski’s first year with Penske Racing was a poor one. He followed that up with a three win campaign and a fifth place points finish. Will Keselowski be able to match that season in 2023? Probably not. However, a playoff appearance and a win or two would not be a stretch.

Chris Buescher – #17

2022 Stat Line: 35 Starts – 1 Win, 3 Top-5s, 10 Top-10s, 1 Pole, Avg Fin: 17.9

Crew Chief: Scott Graves

Driver’s Points Ranking: 21; Owner’s Points Ranking: 21

Notable Results: Win at Bristol Night race; Finishing the Daytona Duels sweep; First career pole at Dover

Since joining Roush Racing in 2020, Chris Buescher had been the number one driver. In back to back seasons, he led the team in almost every statistical category. While that elusive win escaped him, Buescher’s progression was in the right direction. 2020 was a step up from his 2019 with JTG Daugherty. 2021 was his best season to date. He tied his career best in Top-10s, led his highest amount of laps, and set his best average finish. For 2022, the hope for Roush fans was that the Keselowski merger would only accelerate his progression.

While Brad Keselowski mightily struggled in 2022, Chris Buescher had his best season to date. He set career highs in Top-5s, Top-10s, laps led, and secured his first pole and full-length race Cup Series win. In addition to an impressive stat line, Buescher established himself as a road course ringer. Buescher finished Top-10 in all but one road course race on the season, including his second at Sonoma and pulling out a tenth at the Indy road course after his car caught fire.

The main issue for Buescher was inconsistency throughout the season. While he would run Top-10 at road courses, his speed at the ovals was less reliable. Some tracks, Buescher’s 17 car would be hunting for a Top-10. Other tracks, it was a struggle to finish in the Top-20.

Bristol Night Win

The highlight for Chris Buescher (and RFK Racing) in 2022 was winning the Bristol Night race. Both RFK Racing entries were showing speed and leading laps. However, Keselowski blew a tire during the final 100 laps of the race. Meanwhile, Scott Graves made the two-tire call on the final pit stop to put Buescher in the lead. On a night where green flag passing was hard to come by, Buescher was able to keep his Ford ahead of Chase Elliott to secure his first win with RFK Racing.

The win was a historical moment for multiple reasons. For RFK Racing, it was the first win after the Brad Keselowski acquisition. Plus, it was the team’s first win since 2017 and first non-superspeedway since 2014. Buescher’s win also made him the twentieth different winner on the season, tying NASCAR’s record. This would be the last new winner of the 2022 season.

2022 Grade: B-

Missing the playoffs and the overall inconsistency prevents Chris Buescher from getting a higher grade. However, it was still a great season, especially when compared to Keselowski’s struggles. For those who are expecting Keselowski to perform better in 2023, Buescher’s 2022 is their supporting evidence. Buescher and his team demonstrated that RFK Racing can field competitive speed at a variety of tracks. Although that variety may be limited, it is better than where the team was in 2021.

2023 Driver Outlook

Much like Bubba Wallace, it is playoffs or bust for Chris Buescher. While there is no indication that Buescher is on the hot seat, the natural progression is for Buescher to go to his first playoff with RFK Racing. His aptitude for the road courses puts him in contention for a regular season win to clinch his spot. If not there, Buescher is a solid drafter and could take home a checkered flag at one of the five regular season superspeedway races.

Consistency is going to be key. Can Buescher and his team find consistent speed at every track on the schedule? There were too many weekends in 2022 where Buescher could not stay on the lead lap. No one should expect consistent Top-5s out of this team yet. However, that 17 car should be solidly in the Top-20 (and on the lead lap) at every track. If Buescher and his team can accomplish this for the 2023 season, a playoff spot should be in his future.

RFK Racing Grade: C

A “C” grade feels a bit generous for a team that had both of their entries outside the top-20 in points. However, Chris Buescher’s performance helps drag the team out of the D range. Securing a win at a non-superspeedway is a major accomplishment for the team. Plus, both cars were competitive during the final portion of the season. Keselowski had his only Top-5 at Homestead. It would have been two Top-5s for Keselowski if not for the disqualification at Martinsville.

RFK Racing is going to be a team to watch in 2023. Both drivers have the potential to win races and make the playoffs. The main question is how consistent the team can be throughout the season. Will the RFK machines only show up the superspeedways and short ovals? Can the team find that consistent speed that eluded them in 2022? Most importantly, will Brad Keselowski’s team stop running into the NASCAR officials buzzsaw?

2022 Season in Review Articles:

Griffin Fuller: 23XI Racing, Joe Gibbs Racing, Hendrick Motorsports, Trackhouse, Stewart-Haas, Wood Brothers, Team Penske

Robert Cwick: The Money Team Racing, NY Racing, RCR, Spire, Kaulig, Rick Ware, Petty-GMS, Front Row, LivFast, JTG-Daugherty

Daniel Smith

Cup Series Parts: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, & Final Rankings

Xfinity Series Parts: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, & Final Rankings

Truck Series Parts: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, & Final Rankings