The Ford teams in the NASCAR Cup Series have been struggling in the 2026 season. But Team Penske’s Ryan Blaney has turned up as the blue ovals' top performer. However, RFK co-owner Brad Keselowski does not feel that Penske is better than his team as a whole.

Currently, Chris Buescher of RFK Racing is the next-best Ford driver behind Blaney, still in the top 10 in the NASCAR Cup Series drivers' championship. When asked in North Wilkesboro about what separates his team from his RFK teammates, Brad Keselowski and Ryan Preece, he pointed out that they have had "some rough luck over the past couple of months."

Later, during Keselowski’s pre-race media availability, he was questioned by Trenton Worsham about how far he thinks the team is compared to Blaney and the other NASCAR teams. 

"If you took Ryan Blaney outside of the Ford camp, I would argue we are the best Fords," Keselowski said in a video shared by Trenton Worsham on X. "But Ryan Blaney is a part of the Ford camp, and he's earned his spot at the top of the totem pole, and so our job is to go out there and compete with him."

After the race in North Wilkesboro, Keselowski and Preece stand in 18th and 19th, respectively. Whereas Joey Logano, on the back of a dominant win, has advanced to 15th, and Austin Cindric has dropped two places to 16th.

Although the current standings do not fully support Keselowski’s assessment of the team, RFK has shown competitive speed throughout the season. Both Keselowski and Preece have been in a decent position, but have had three DNFs each.

For Keselowski, the three DNFs came back to back at Nashville, Michigan, and Pocono. Whether RFK Racing can take up the challenge to Team Penske’s Ryan Blaney is something that remains to be seen.

Brad Keselowski praises Toyota for NASCAR domination

Currently, the Toyota camp has been having a wonderful season. The top two in the driver standings are currently occupied by Toyota drivers Denny Hamlin and Tyler Reddick.

During his media availability before the Chicagoland race, Brad Keselowski credited Toyota for their collaborative efforts, which have been paying off on track.

"I think if you’re going to beat Toyota, you have to have at least two elite organizations collaborating at very, very high levels and sharing the elite resources that are specific to the OEM, and I only see Toyota doing that right now." (via Cup Scene on YouTube)

Despite Joey Logano's dominance at North Wilkesboro, Toyota was good enough to secure four of the five spots behind him, including both remaining podium places, with Denny Hamlin in second and Chase Briscoe in third.

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Written by

Chionia Libania Colaco

Edited by

Yash Kotak