04/14/2025

Keselowski Leads RFK Trio with Gritty 16th at Bristol

Brad Keselowski 16th, Ryan Preece 20th & Chris Buescher 25th

Bristol, TN (April 13, 2025) – It was a battle of tire wear, track changes, and strategy at Bristol Motor Speedway, and Roush Fenway Keselowski (RFK) Racing came ready to battle. Brad Keselowski, Ryan Preece, and Chris Buescher each faced their own set of challenges on the high-banked half-mile, but all three showed resilience in a race defined by long green-flag runs and limited caution opportunities. Keselowski led the way with a determined drive to 16th, while Preece and Buescher dug deep to grind out top-25 finishes in Thunder Valley.

No. 6 – Brad Keselowski
Anticipating that tire wear would be a factor Sunday, Brad Keselowski entered the race with high confidence. After all, in the 2024 spring Bristol race—one where tire management was a determining factor—Keselowski scored a third-place finish. Taking the same approach he used a year ago, Keselowski carefully made his way toward the front, picking up five positions by lap 20. When Stage One concluded, the Kroger / Oscar Mayer / Rustik Ovens Ford was 12th.

In the early laps of Stage Two—perhaps due to the track beginning to change—Keselowski faced some handling challenges as the car became tight. Countering those obstacles, adjustments were made and strategy played. Following a caution, the No. 6 team made a pit stop decision to take right-side tires only. Despite the effort, Keselowski found himself 23rd after Stage Two.

Determined to improve, Crew Chief Jeremy Bullins made significant moves heading into Stage Three. Chassis adjustments were made to both the left and right sides. The car initially responded, allowing Keselowski to gain seven positions in the segment’s first few laps. During an extremely long green-flag run to end the race, Keselowski fought to maintain that position and finished 16th.

“Just a frustrating day,” said Keselowski. “Nothing really happened to us. We just kept working on the car and got all we could get out of it.”

No. 60 – Ryan Preece
It was a gritty effort for Ryan Preece and the No. 60 team Sunday. The Boost by Kroger Ford started 29th, but the car was strong heading into and off of the corners, allowing Preece to drive past several cars during the opening laps. Toward the end of Stage One, Preece was passed by eventual race winner Kyle Larson, briefly putting him a lap down. However, Preece received the free pass—one of three he would earn Sunday—and regained the lead lap. He finished Stage One in 24th. 

Optimistic, Preece radioed his team before Stage Two saying, “That kept us in the game,” alluding to the free pass. Back on the lead lap, Preece restarted 22nd. On the tight quarters of Bristol Motor Speedway, though, things change quickly. Again, Preece found himself trying to stave off the leaders. He battled hard and held 24th to complete Stage Two.

With 250 laps of the 500-lap race remaining, Preece entered the final stage looking to gain more. Crew Chief Derrick Finley adjusted the car for the final stretch, which remained green for nearly the entire segment. During that long green-flag run, Preece managed his tires and navigated traffic, picking up an additional four spots to finish 20th.

No. 17 – Chris Buescher
Looking for his second career Bristol win, Chris Buescher rolled off 24th on Sunday. Maneuvering around the high-banked half-mile in the early laps of Stage One, Buescher could not pin the BuildSubmarines.com Ford to the bottom of the turns as he would have liked. The stage ended with Buescher in 33rd. 

Beginning Stage Two, Buescher said he needed his car to rotate better in the corners. His tires validated his concerns with noticeable tire wear on the right front. Addressing the issue, Crew Chief Scott Graves made adjustments. Buescher was able to improve and finished Stage Two in 30th.

Determined to make gains, Graves used pit strategy to improve track position. While many pitted during the stage break, Buescher took the wave-around and stayed out. This briefly got him back on the lead lap. While Buescher fought mightily to stay there, he was eventually overtaken by the leader again. He ended the day 25th.

“Basically, too tight firing off. We kind of fought that most of the day but got it turning better at the end,” said Buescher. “We took a chance and took a wave. That was a good call for us—got us in a better spot. There were very few cautions on the day, so we never had any opportunities to do anything different.”

Up Next
Talladega Superspeedway (Talladega, AL): Sunday, April 27, 2025, at 3:00 PM ET on FOX