Brad Keselowski gives ’2 reasons’ for his and Ryan Preece’s paint scheme after scrutiny from an analyst

Brad Keselowski has responded to an analyst's query by explaining two reasons behind his and Ryan Preece's similar paint scheme for the upcoming Cup Series season. RFK Racing recently made a big silly season move by hiring the former Stewart-Haas Racing driver for their team's 2025 lineup securing a major sponsorship deal with Kroger.

Kesleowksi's co-owned venture leased a third charter for their #60 Ford from Rick Ware Racing. Preece was the only SHR driver who couldn't secure his future with a team before the season concluded. However, he was linked to join RFK for months as Keselowski teased about promoting the third Cup car to a full-time schedule.

With less than two months left for the preseason action to unfold at Bowman Gray Stadium, RFK released Brad Keselowski and Ryan Preece's Castrol paint schemes for the #6 and #60 Fords, respectively, featuring an identical design.

Seeing that, Auto Racing Analytics proposed that the same sponsor's paint scheme shouldn't be spread across teams. Instead, they should have a unique one for easy recognition of the team and the respective sponsor. These as well.

"I think RFK has great schemes, but I wish they wouldn't spread them between cars. I wish 17=Fastenal, 6=Castrol, 60=build submarines or some combination. I wish the teams had a visible identity. I think that helped more than we know in the 90s-00s. 24=🌈, 48=🟦 3=⬛️," the analyst expressed.

Keselowski responded, saying that RFK receives several questions along the lines. The #6 Ford driver explained two reasons why the team spread the same sponsor between cars. According to the team owner's admission, giving their sponsors access to all three teams provides more bang for their buck. Secondly, the employees would be less vulnerable to getting sacked if a sponsor exits.

"We get a lot of questions about why we do this at @RFKracing. Mainly 2 reasons- 1). Our partners get more value due to increased access to our team with all 3 drivers and cars. 2). Our employees have increased assurance that if a sponsor leaves, we are significantly less vulnerable to not being able to fund a team," Keselowski responded.

RFK Racing wrapped the 2024 season with one playoff appearance which was secured by Brad Keselowski. Chris Buescher could've made the playoffs but Kyle Larson's historic win over the former intervened with the former's title desire.

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Brad Keselowski's major sponsor will reportedly exit RFK Racing amid conflict with new sponsor

The 2012 Cup Series champion's RFK struck a deal with Kroger a few weeks back. The multi-billion dollar United States supermarket giant was a longtime sponsor for JTG Daugherty Racing (Now HYAK Motorsports), but will now look after all three cars under RFK Racing's banner.

However, according to NASCAR insider Adam Stern's report, cracks have emerged between Brad Keselowski's team and their sponsor King’s Hawaiian, in the aftermath of bringing Kroger on board. King's Hawaiian sponsored the #6 Ford over the past three seasons but will move to another team now.

Their business models can be the speculated reason behind the fallout. King's is a traditional bakery which has been operating since 1950. Meanwhile, Kroger has several bakery brands under its umbrella which directly conflicts with King's Hawaiian.

Through its partnership, Kroger can feature its partner vendors on the sponsored cars, something they frequently did on Ricky Stenhouse Jr.'s #47 Chevy. As a result, it could reduce the Return on Investment (ROI) for King's Hawaiian's Brad Keselowski deal, as Kroger and its partner brands will attract major attention.