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NASCAR Insider Makes Bizarre Rick Hendrick Claim

Published 08/28/2023, 7:43 PM EDT

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The 2023 season has been a stark departure for RFK Racing from their lackluster performance in 2022. With Chris Buescher winning three of the last five regular-season races, 2023 seems poised to etch RFK’s name in Cup Series history as the saga of the Phoenix-like resurgence continues.

At the center of this narrative is none other than seasoned veteran Brad Keselowski, the architect of RFK Racing’s newfound prowess. Keselowski‘s adept leadership and support have catalyzed this remarkable comeback as paddock insiders are quick to draw parallels between Keselowski and the likes of Hendrick Motorsports‘s owner Rick Hendrick.

“He’s gonna be that guy”: Keselowski’s resonance with Rick Hendrick

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RFK Racing’s 2023 campaign has ignited a whirlwind of speculation, as whispers swirl about their potential to dethrone the reigning powerhouses run by Rick Hendrick and Joe Gibbs. The initial hype following RFK’s consecutive wins in Richmond & Michigan was emphatically sustained with a 1-2 finish by the Buescher-Keselowski duo in the Coke Zero Sugar 400, thus solidifying RFK’s potential to overshadow the formidable Rick Hendrick and Joe Gibbs camps.

This growing sentiment finds reinforcement in the words of racing luminary Kyle Petty, who drew parallels between Brad Keselowski and the legendary Mr H. Petty’s assertion gained prominence in the wake of the recent NASCAR on NBC podcast, and he left no stone unturned in showering praise on Keselowski & Co.

In this podcast, Petty voiced his convictions and confidently likened Keselowski to iconic figures, saying “I think Brad’s gonna be that player; he’s gonna be that guy who is like the Wood Brothers, like my dad [Richard Petty], like Rick [Hendrick] and those guys. Guys that come in and buy a team or become part of a team or start their own team, and they are still gonna be here in some way, shape, or form, and have their fingerprints all over the sport.” 

While Petty has predicted Keselowski would embody the legacy of those who leave an indelible mark on NASCAR as team owners, Keselowski himself has outlined a grand vision for the future of RFK Racing.

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Keselowski’s grand vision for RFK Racing

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During a post-race presser following the Daytona spectacle, Brad Keselowski shed light on RFK Racing’s recent triumphs while emphasizing the team’s broader aspirations. Expressing satisfaction with their current achievements, Keselowski unveiled a larger vision for his team’s future.

“Yeah I mean it’s hard to measure all the things that a night like today will do for us as a company but I’m sure they’re all gonna be positive and, you know, we’ll kind of work through what that means but we’re building something and that’s gonna be special for a long time and that’s a big goal.”

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As Keselowski articulated a commitment to building something enduring and exceptional, laying the foundation for long-term success, he also extended his praise to teammate Chris Buescher, commending Buescher’s remarkable performance across the last five races. But his focus remained fixed on the broader objective of establishing a sustainable race team with championship-winning potential. “I’m proud of everybody in the team and certainly Chris for his efforts but, you know, the bigger picture is to have a sustainable race team that can win for championships for a few years to come and be a perennial championship contender.” 

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He underscored the team’s aim to be a mainstay in the championship landscape for years to come. Keselowski’s perspective on the importance of the recent 1-2 finish was clear, stating that such achievements foster confidence within the team and that it was a significant stride toward solidifying their status as contenders for the ultimate racing honors. “Today was good progress for that on that front. 1-2 finishes are huge for teams and this certainly another case of that for us.”

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With 3 wins and the teammate duo locked into the playoffs grid, all eyes are now fixed on Darlington, eager to unveil the next chapter of RFK Racing’s journey.

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Written by:

Rashi Shetty

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Rashi Shetty is a NASCAR author at EssentiallySports. Her passion for the sport extends beyond the thrill of on-track racing, as she finds the behind-the-scenes aspects of car development and sportsmanship equally captivating. Her favorite motorsports moment of 2023 is the NASCAR Garage 56 entry at Le Mans.
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Edited by:

Nischal Kandpal