02/02/2025
RFK Racing Flexes Muscle in Clash Heat Races
RFK Racing Flexes Muscle in Clash Heat Races
Buescher Dominates; Keselowski, Preece finish second and third in respective Heats
WINSTON-SALEM (Feb. 1, 2025) – RFK Racing showed early strength at Bowman Gray Stadium on Saturday night, securing starting positions for all three of its team cars in tomorrow night’s Clash. Chris Buescher led the way, leading all 25 laps with a dominating victory in the second duel – earning a front-row starting positon for Sunday. Keselowski finished second in the first duel of the evening; earning a fifth-place starting spot. Ryan Preece – making his RFK debut – earned a third-place finish in the fourth and final duel, to secure a 12th-place starting position for Sunday. Green flag for tomorrow’s race is set for 8:00 PM on FOX.
6 Recap
Focused on balance, and looking for speed, the 6-team used two of Saturday night’s three practices to fine tune and dial in the No. 6 Build Submarines Ford. When final practice rolled around, with a strong qualifying position for the first heat race on the line, Brad Keselowski rose to the occasion, posting the fifth fastest overall lap.
That qualifying lap scored Keselowski the outside pole for the first heat race. The tight confines of the Bowman Gray half mile proved challenging early, as Keselowski found himself forced to the outside groove. Carefully navigating the outside line Keselowski worked his way toward the bottom groove and settled in to score a second-place heat race finish. The No. 6 Ford will roll off fifth in the 200-lap feature Sunday night.
17 Recap
Buescher led all 25 laps and won the second heat race after starting on the pole, to clinch his third career appearance in the Clash.
The No. 17 team laid down the second fastest lap across a four-minute qualifying session to earn the pole for the second heat race. Buescher rode the bottom of the racetrack and never surrendered the lead as he drove the Kroger/Tree Top Ford Mustang to victory lane.
The Prosper, Texas native will start on the front row for Sunday night’s main event, alongside Chase Elliott, which marks the best starting position of his career in the Clash. Buescher has two starts in the annual Clash event with a best finish of ninth back in 2017.
60 Recap
Making his RFK debut, Ryan Preece showcased his short track talent early during Saturday night’s first practice session. The short-track ace from the northeast, navigated the Bowman Gray quarter-mile with relative ease, posting the second fastest time during the day’s first session. Although Preece was unable to match that speed in final practice, he was undeterred by starting sixth in his heat.
During a physical heat race, Preece made his way to the front. Using the outside groove masterfully, he worked his way into the top-5 by the sixth lap. He not only fended off several challenges, but continued to pick off spots en route to the third-place finish. Preece and the Fastenal Ford will start 12th on Sunday night.
Up Next
The last chance qualifier (LCQ) is slated for Sunday night at 6:00 p.m. ET on FOX, with the top two finishers and the highest remaining finisher in the 2024 season points standings advancing to the Clash tomorrow night at 8:00 p.m. ET on FOX.
About RFK Racing
RFK Racing, in its 38th season in 2025, features an ownership lineup pairing one of the sport’s most iconic names, Jack Roush, along with NASCAR Champion, Brad Keselowski, and Fenway Sports Group owner John Henry. Roush initially founded the team in 1988 and it has since become one of the most successful racing operations in the world, propelling him to be the first NASCAR owner to amass three hundred wins and capturing eight championships, including back-to-back NASCAR Cup titles in 2003 and 2004. Keselowski, a former owner in the NASCAR Truck Series, is the 2012 NASCAR Cup Series Champion. In 2007, Roush partnered with Henry, who also owns Major League Baseball’s Boston Red Sox, English Premier League’s Liverpool F.C., and the NHL’s Pittsburgh Penguins, to form Roush Fenway Racing. Off the track, RFK is a leader and proven winner in NASCAR marketing solutions, having produced multiple award-winning social media, digital content and experiential marketing campaigns. Visit rfkracing.com, and follow the team on all social platforms @rfkracing.
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