RFK Racing hasn't run three full-time cars in the NASCAR Cup series since 2016, but that changes in 2025 when the team will enter the No. 60 car alongside the No. 6 driven by team co-owner Brad Keselowski and the No. 17 of Chris Buescher.
This newly announced entry will be piloted by none other than Ryan Preece — the last of the four Stewart-Haas Racing drivers to find a new seat after the team shut its doors. Preece is a former NASCAR Whelen Modified champion with 187 starts in the Cup Series. This will be his sixth full-time season at the Cup level with his third different outfit after stints with JTG-Daugherty Racing and SHR. He's never won at the Cup level, but he does have several victories in the Xfinity and Truck Series.
The announcement includes the addition of Kroger as a primary sponsor, which has has already worked with Preece during his time at JTG. The company and 20 of its brands will appear on three cars throughout the 2025 season. Previously, Kroger had been partnered with JTG since the 2010 season. The team will lease a charter from Rick Ware Racing for the 2025 season.
Roush was once a superteam with five full-time cars, winning back-to-back titles in 2003 and 2004. They started downsizing in 2010 and over the next few years lost several of their start drivers. The former powerhouse remained winless for years with just two victories between 2014 and 2021. They hadn't put a single car in the top-ten in points since the 2014 season either. But when Keselowski arrived as co-owner and driver (once he left Penske) in 2022, he quickly helped to right the ship. They've since won six races in the last three seasons and out two cars deep into the playoffs last year.
“We're thrilled to formally and publicly announce our expansion plans and the next step in our evolution at RFK,” said Steve Newmark, President, RFK Racing. “First, we’d like to thank Kroger and the vision of Tad and Jodi (Geschickter), without which we wouldn't be in the position of growing with a third car in 2025 and beyond. Their commitment to us on behalf of Kroger has not only allowed us to fulfill our growth objectives in ways we've long desired, but also to continue to push the envelope when it comes to finding the competitive edge needed to compete at the top level of NASCAR.
"Second, Ryan Preece is who we identified from day one when discussing this third entry, and his young talent from the grassroots level all the way up to the Cup Series is something that excites us moving forward. On behalf of the entire team at RFK, we can’t wait to roll out the No. 60 with Ryan Preece, and our larger Kroger partnership encompassing all three of our Ford Mustangs, in 2025.”
Preece's ex-SHR teammates have also found homes for themselves in the Cup Series. Chase Briscoe will drive the No. 19 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota, replacing the semi-retired Martin Truex Jr. Meanwhile, Josh Berry will pilot the iconic No. 21 Ford for the Wood Brothers as Noah Gragson joins Front Row Motorsports.
