RFK Racing Replaces Brad Keselowski With Ryan Preece in the Iconic No. 6 Ford for 2027

RFK Racing announced that 36-year-old Ryan Preece will replace departing co-owner Brad Keselowski behind the wheel of the No. 6 Ford Mustang starting in 2027.

The organization confirmed the major transition on Wednesday ahead of the final race of the season.

Preece will officially take over the organization's flagship vehicle at the conclusion of the 2026 campaign.

The move marks the end of an era for RFK Racing as Keselowski prepares to part ways with the team.

Keselowski has served as both a frontline driver and a core co-owner since joining the organization in 2022.

His impending split from the team at the conclusion of 2026 has sent shockwaves through the NASCAR Cup Series garage.

RFK Racing has now moved quickly to solidify its driver lineup for the 2027 racing season.

Preece has spent the past two seasons competing for RFK Racing behind the wheel of the No. 60 car.

Now, the veteran driver is stepping into the most historic seat in the company's long Cup Series history.

CREW TRANSITION AND CONTINUITY

The driver switch will also include a total transition of the personnel working behind the scenes.

RFK Racing confirmed that Preece will not be entering the iconic entry alone.

Preece's entire No. 60 team will make the transition over to the No. 6 car next season.

That complete transition includes respected crew chief Derrick Finley.

Finley and the No. 60 road crew have worked directly alongside Preece throughout his recent breakout campaign.

By moving the whole unit, the team aims to preserve the established chemistry between driver, crew chief, and pit crew.

Team leadership decided that keeping the existing communication intact gives Preece the best opportunity to succeed.

Rather than building a fresh group, the organization chose total continuity across the transition.

Finley will remain on the pit box to guide Preece through his new chapter in 2027.

KESELOWSKI'S ABRUPT DEPARTURE

Keselowski's exit from RFK Racing brings an unexpected end to a pivotal partnership.

The 2012 Cup champion arrived in 2022 to buy an ownership stake and revitalize Roush Fenway Racing.

His arrival reshaped the direction of the entire company, adding his name to create RFK Racing.

The organizational revival was unmistakable under his direct leadership and co-ownership.

RFK Racing enjoyed a major resurgence in 2023, capturing three victories across a breakthrough year.

Keselowski introduced structural changes that helped restore the team to consistent weekly contention.

However, his sudden departure leaves RFK Racing searching for a new head of competition going forward.

The unexpected split has also sparked persistent rumors regarding Keselowski's next destination in the Cup Series.

Persistent speculation continues to link the former series champion to Trackhouse Racing despite hurdles for 2027.

Keselowski's future plans remain a massive talking point across the NASCAR garage.

PREECE DELIVERS STRONG RESULTS

Preece has steadily earned his place as a primary contender at the highest level of stock car racing.

The 36-year-old racer originally made his NASCAR Cup Series debut back in 2015.

He built his career through grass-roots racing, carving out a following founded on his New England roots.

Over the past two seasons in the No. 60 entry, Preece compiled an impressive list of consistent results.

He has collected a total of 24 top-10 finishes during his two-year stretch with the organization.

In 2025, Preece finished 18th in the final standings while tallying three top-fives and 14 top-10s.

The 2026 season brought even greater milestones for the veteran driver.

Preece kicked off the momentum by winning the exhibition Clash at Bowman Gray.

He then achieved a career breakthrough on August 29 by capturing the summer race at Daytona.

The dramatic Daytona victory marked his first career points-paying Cup Series race win.

That triumph officially secured Preece his first career appearance in the NASCAR playoffs.

Heading into Sunday's season finale at Homestead-Miami, Preece ranks 14th in the overall Cup Series standings.

THE LEGACY OF THE NO. SIX

The No. 6 Ford Mustang carries exceptional weight within the walls of RFK Racing.

The number represents decades of competition dating back to the foundational era of the company.

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

He expressed profound reverence for the drivers and leaders who originally elevated the car to prominence.

"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.

Mark Martin made the No. 6 famous across the country through decades of Hall of Fame performances.

Founder Jack Roush built his racing empire around the identity established by that specific machine.

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

Team leadership shared equal confidence when announcing the major roster reorganization on Wednesday.

"Ryan Preece is a true racer making him the perfect fit for the number 6," said Chip Bowers, president of RFK Racing.

Bowers emphasized that the No. 6 represents far more than just standard team inventory.

"The 6 car is symbolic in our organization and has contributed to some incredible memories in the Cup Series," Bowers said.

Bowers praised the driver's readiness to embrace the immense pressure attached to the iconic vehicle.

"Ryan is not just enthusiastic about the opportunity, but more importantly, he’s embracing the expectations that come with taking the wheel of an iconic car," Bowers noted.

"More great history is sure to be made with Ryan at the helm," the team president concluded.

THE CHARTER MOVE AND FAN DEBATE

The driver announcement has sparked an energetic debate across the NASCAR fan base.

FOX Sports journalist Bob Pockrass reported details regarding RFK Racing's operational choice on social media.

"As expected, Ryan Preece will change numbers and drive the No. 6 for RFK next season," Pockrass reported on X.

"Organization obviously wanted one of its charter drivers in that car number that has a history with the organization," Pockrass added.

In NASCAR, charters provide guaranteed entry into every points race along with valuable financial disbursements.