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Brad Keselowski Leads Banner Day For RFK Racing At Darlington Raceway

by racerx55 March 22, 2026 0 comments

Story by Matthew Thomerson

DARLINGTON, SC – Brad Keselowski was spectacular in Sunday’s Goodyear 400 but fell one spot short of giving RFK Racing their first victory of the season.

Keselowski, who is part-owner of the organization, had one of his best showings in some time, leading 142 laps and sweeping the Stages 1 and 2. The 2024 Goodyear 400 winner was looking at his first victory in nearly 70 races until Tyler Reddick went on a hard charge late and took the lead with 28 laps to go. 

Once again, it was another second for Keselowski.

“Those problems earlier in the race that he got kind of buried and he was just methodical,” Keselowski said. “He did a great job. He took the fastest car and ran an amazing race. When he was by me he was way faster. We had to fall into racing the track and even at the end I think he was managing it pretty hard, so, all in all, it’s a great day for us. We won two stages, led a lot of laps, scored a bunch of points, so a lot to be proud of.”

Keselowski was just one of several great RFK runs at the Lady in Black.  Chris Buescher was in a prime position for a top-five finish until it unraveled late. Buescher started sixth and methodically made his way to the front and sat second after Stage 2. On a restart with 91 laps to go, Buescher stayed out and led the next 41 laps. When the last pit stops ensued, Buescher slowed high in an attempt to pit and was hit by Reddick. He rebounded to finish ninth.

“It was a fun day.” Buescher said.  “That was fantastic to come down here with this Fifth Third Bank Ford Mustang Dark Horse and run that well from practice, qualifying, race, to make improvements. The pit crew was awesome yet again. To be leading laps there late. Obviously, it was a racing deal. That’s straight up all it is. We got caught by the guys that did come and take tires and made an aggressive move to try to get to pit road real fast and kind of jump it and it was a little bit of an aggressive move and it didn’t work out. We’re trying to win races here. That’s what we were after and just came up a little bit short today.”

Ryan Preece was also a factor, starting 17th but showing pace on long runs. Making his way into the top-five in Stage 2, Preece made it a 1-2-3 for RFK at one point. Ultimately, he wasn’t able to hold on as his car faded to a 13th-place finish. 

Preece is now 12th in points, well within The Chase. Keselowski is ninth in points, and Buescher is eighth. 

The RFK trio now heads to Martinsville Speedway for the Cookout 400. Coverage begins at 3:30 p.m. ET. on Fox Sports 1. 

Photo Credit: Hunter Thomas/TheFourthTurn.com