Mark Martin Endorses Ryan Preece to Drive Historic No. 6 Ford Following Brad Keselowski's RFK Exit

Following Brad Keselowski's departure from RFK Racing, Hall of Fame driver Mark Martin publicly endorsed Ryan Preece as the ideal driver to carry the storied No. 6 forward.

The endorsement arrived at a pivotal moment of transition for the historic NASCAR organization.

RFK Racing announced on Wednesday, Nov. 4, that Preece will move into the iconic No. 6 Ford Mustang Dark Horse.

Preece replaces Keselowski, who is stepping away from the organization both on the track and in the boardroom.

The move puts one of the sport's most famous numbers back into the hands of a gritty short-track veteran.

A LEGEND OFFERS HIS BLESSING

Few names in NASCAR history carry as much weight in relation to Roush Fenway Keselowski Racing as Mark Martin.

Martin put the organization on the map when he piloted the No. 6 Ford beginning in 1988.

When news broke that Preece would inherit his former ride, Martin delivered an unequivocal statement of support.

"I like Ryan Preece because he's a racer, plain and simple," Martin said in a statement.

Martin recognized the shared blue-collar spirit that defines Preece's career.

"He came up the hard way, and he's had to fight for everything he's gotten," Martin stated.

"That's something I respect," the Hall of Famer added.

Martin made it clear that Preece possesses the relentless drive required to compete in Cup machinery.

"When he gets in a race car, he gives you everything he's got, and he's not going to be satisfied just riding around," Martin noted.

The legacy of the car remains deeply personal to the legendary driver.

"That number means a lot to me, and I think Ryan is a great fit to carry it forward," Martin concluded.

HUMBLED BY THE OPPORTUNITY

For Preece, stepping into the car once piloted by Martin is a profound milestone.

The 35-time winner with Roush helped establish the very foundation Preece now stands upon.

"To be trusted with the 6 means more to me than I can put into words," Preece said in a statement.

Preece was quick to acknowledge the rich heritage behind the car.

"When you think about what this number means to RFK Racing, you think about Jack Roush, Mark Martin and everything they built together," Preece explained.

The promotion serves as major validation for a driver who spent years clawing for an elite opportunity.

"To know this team believes I'm the right person to carry that number into the future is incredibly humbling," Preece said.

Preece becomes just the sixth full-time driver to pilot the No. 6 for the Roush organization.

SHOCK TRANSITION AT RFK RACING

The seat opened up due to the sudden departure of former Cup Series champion Brad Keselowski.

Keselowski joined RFK Racing in 2022 as both a full-time driver and a co-owner.

His arrival helped engineer a major turnaround for the team, including three Cup victories in 2023.

Keselowski will not return to the team next season.

He is currently beginning the formal process of selling his 20 percent equity stake in the team's ownership.

Keselowski has discussed his uncertain Cup Series future following the split.

He has already been strongly linked to Trackhouse Racing across industry discussions.

Keselowski's exit has also left RFK Racing actively searching for a new head of competition.

THE STRATEGIC CHARTER FACTOR

The decision to shift Preece into the No. 6 goes far beyond sentimental preference.

NASCAR's charter system heavily dictated the organizational shuffle.

Charters guarantee an entry into every Cup Series race regardless of qualifying results.

They also provide a stable, reliable stream of revenue for participating teams.

In the modern NASCAR landscape, each charter is estimated to be worth around $100 million.

The No. 6 is one of RFK Racing's permanently chartered entries alongside Chris Buescher's No. 17.

Preece had previously spent two seasons piloting the No. 60 Ford for the team.

The No. 60 entry operated with a leased charter from Rick Ware Racing.

That specific charter was sold to Legacy Motor Club for next season.

Moving Preece into the No. 6 guarantees that RFK Racing keeps its primary chartered asset on track.

FOX Sports journalist Bob Pockrass reported that the organization clearly wanted one of its chartered drivers in the historic number.

Crew chief Derrick Finley will remain with Preece as they make the transition together.

Preece's entire team moves with him, ensuring operational continuity despite the number swap.

HISTORY OF THE LEGENDARY NO. 6

The No. 6 carries decades of elite NASCAR stock car heritage.

Long before Roush Racing competed in NASCAR, Hall of Famer David Pearson drove a No. 6 Dodge for Owens Racing.

Pearson piloted that car to the premier series championship in 1966.

When team founder Jack Roush entered the Cup Series in 1988, he brought the No. 6 back with Mark Martin.

Martin piloted the car through 2006, scoring 35 Cup Series victories in the entry.

He achieved 12 top-five championship points finishes during that historic run.

Martin was the runner-up for the Cup championship four times behind the wheel of the No. 6.

He finished second to Dale Earnhardt in 1990 and 1994.

He also finished as the runner-up to Jeff Gordon in 1998 and Tony Stewart in 2002.

Following Martin's tenure, David Ragan, Trevor Bayne, and Ryan Newman had full-time stints in the car.

Keselowski then took over the ride from 2022 through his recent departure.

Drivers Ricky Stenhouse Jr., Matt Kenseth, and Ross Chastain also made spot starts in the entry.

Yet across that extensive list, only Martin, Ragan, and Keselowski ever won a Cup race in the car for Roush.

PREECE’S PERSONAL CONNECTION

While the number belongs to Roush history, it also holds deep personal meaning for Preece.

A native of Berlin, Connecticut, Preece built his reputation on the abrasive asphalt of northeastern short tracks.

He captured the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour championship in 2013.

The Whelen Modified Tour stands as NASCAR's only sanctioned open-wheeled division.

Preece accumulated 26 career victories in the Whelen Modified Tour.

He added three more victories in the southern division of the series.

Much of that success came driving the No. 6 machine owned by the late Ed Partridge.

Preece collected 14 Modified victories in Partridge's famous No. 6 car.

Their final win together arrived at Richmond Raceway in 2021.