It's time to take RFK Racing seriously in NASCAR's title hunt

It seems unlikely that an RFK Racing driver will hoist the NASCAR Cup Series championship trophy at season's end, but the organization is at least owed commendation for their start to the 2026 season. 

All three RFK entries, driven by Chris Buescher, Brad Keselowski and Ryan Preece, are fifth, ninth and 12th in the series standings, respectively, through 11 races. Buescher finished fifth on Sunday at Texas, while Keselowski and Preece came home 13th and 14th. 

It'd be surprising if one of the three were to win the title in November. But the team is solidly in contention and rarely has an off-week across the board. 

Buescher, for example, earned his first top-10 at Texas, his home track, on Sunday. He hasn't won since Watkins Glen in September 2024, but his consistency is an incredibly admirable trait and one paying dividends in NASCAR's new Chase format. 

What RFK's numbers look like

Through the first 11 events of 2026, Buescher has only one finish outside of the top 20 and zero DNFs. But his quiet consistency is becoming less quiet — he was runner-up at Talladega on April 26 and has five top 10s over the last seven races. 

Keselowski, the 2012 Cup champion and a future Hall of Famer, is having an incredible start to 2026, considering he's still recovering from a broken leg suffered in December. Despite still going through the healing process, he's also been consistent, finishing outside of the top 20 only once and failing to record a DNF. 

Preece, the least-experienced driver on the team, is looking to make the NASCAR postseason for the first time. He was unable to do so in 2025 despite a career year, but he is 63 points above the Chase cut line after Texas. He's singing a similar tune to his teammates: only a single finish outside of the top 20 with no DNFs. 

The reason why RFK still seems like a championship longshot is simple: it isn't winning right now, and winning still pays the most points at the end of the day. Keselowski and Buescher haven't won since 2024, while Preece is still looking for career win No. 1. 

But the organization's consistency, while under the radar, is notable and a reason why all three of its drivers should make the Chase. Don't be surprised if Buescher and Keselowski hold serve in the top 10 through the end of the season. 

If either of the three aforementioned drivers can find victory lane a time or two, however, the conversation may shift. But for now, it's time to give RFK its flowers for throwing its hat in the title contention ring early in the season and putting forth a valiant effort in 2026.