Things are looking really gloomy for Brad Keselowski and the RFK Racing team. The No. 17 team and Chris Buescher were handed an L-1 penalty after the Cup Series race at Kansas Speedway. The driver finished the race 8th, but a random check at NASCAR’s Research & Development Center led to a discovery of illegal use of the front bumper cover. The team was docked 60 driver and owner points and five playoff points, along with a $75,000 fine. RFK Racing has filed an appeal, hoping for a change in this decision. But even before they could recover from this jolt, they ran into another trouble before the start of the Coca-Cola 600 race.

This time around, it was team owner Brad Keselowski who landed in the crosshairs of NASCAR officials in Charlotte. With Kyle Larson spinning and bringing out the first caution of the race, all the cars headed to the pit road. And this is where Keselowski fluffed his lines, and his antics on the pit road with reckless driving cost him big time. NASCAR sent him back to the field for the restart for vehicle interference. Meanwhile, pole sitter Chase Briscoe also endured a similar fate after a loose tire.

It has been 34 races since Brad Keselowski last visited the victory lane, and with these fumbles on the pit road, he isn’t making any significant progress to get himself in a spot where he can contend for a win. The good thing is that, this being the longest race in the NASCAR Cup Series, he will have enough time to bounce back and make amends.

“I felt like we had a car to win the race,” Brad Keselowski said last year. “We kind of ran down [Christopher Bell] twice and just didn’t get to see it play out. Felt like I was going to win it again last year… and then the yellow came out, and then the rain came, and the race ended. That was a big bummer. But I got one of those trophies. Trying to get a second one. I’m going to be greedy.” Keselowski said ahead of the Coca-Cola 600.

It has been 34 races since Brad Keselowski last visited the victory lane, and with these fumbles on the pit road, he isn’t making any significant progress to get himself in a spot where he can contend for a win. The good thing is that, this being the longest race in the NASCAR Cup Series, he will have enough time to bounce back and make amends.

Coca-Cola 600, 2025: Stage 1 and Stage 2 results

After the first caution flag, William Byron took command of the race and never looked back. His teammate, Alex Bowma, played a part in helping Byron grab the stage 1 win. Just as stage 1 was about to wind up, Bowman slid across the track, just like Larson and brought the caution out. He was ninth at the time he went spinning; the yellow flag ended the stage, resulting in the stage win for the #24 team.

Stage 2 was a similar story; Byron stayed up front and was racing in a league of his own. He bagged the stage win and had led 157 of 201 laps in the event. This makes his tally for stage points at 20, and not to forget the two precious playoff points that come with this sweep. Chase Elliott from the HMS camp also bagged a P10 finish in stage 2, thus adding a few previous points that will keep him above in the points standings.

We will have to keep an eye out for Brad Keselowski as well, he isn’t done yet. A climb back in the top 10 would see him contest for a solid top 5 finish. And who knows, a late-race drama might provide him with the opportunity to win the race.