As championship excitement builds at Phoenix, Brad Keselowski, the 2012 NASCAR champion and co-owner of RFK Racing, is strategically preparing to reshape his legacy beyond the stock car scene. Keselowski is eyeing a significant venture into the realm of endurance racing, potentially spearheading a U.S.-based IMSA initiative with Ford’s ambitious Hypercar program set for 2027.
Inspired by his mentor Rick Hendrick, Keselowski’s plans illustrate a bold vision that marries the ruggedness of stock car racing with the prestigious world of endurance events on a global scale. Recently, Ford made headlines with its commitment to developing a factory-backed LMDh Hypercar, aimed at competing in the FIA World Endurance Championship and the renowned 24 Hours of Le Mans starting in 2027. This announcement has propelled Keselowski’s aspirations, igniting his desire to possibly own a team that competes using Ford’s new Hypercar.
In a revealing interview, the Michigan native expressed his ambitions clearly: “Ford is building a hypercar for 2027 that is going to compete at Le Mans and maybe the United States. And if it competes in the United States, I’d like to own that team.” His thoughts resonate with the innovative spirit instilled by Hendrick Motorsports, which successfully fused NASCAR technology with international endurance racing in its notable Garage 56 entry at Le Mans this year.
This Garage 56 project partnered Hendrick with NASCAR, Chevrolet, IMSA, and Goodyear to redesign a Next Gen Camaro, showcasing American racing talent on a global platform and fostering collaboration among major motorsport organizations. With Ford’s renewed emphasis on performance and a real commitment to future sustainability in racing, Keselowski views a future in IMSA’s top-tier Hypercar class as feasible. His RFK Racing team, already strong in the Cup series with notable drivers like Chris Buescher and himself, is well-positioned to expand its horizons, particularly as NASCAR leans more towards road course racing.
An advocate for diversification, Keselowski acknowledges that his proficiency in road racing makes him suited for this new challenge. “As NASCAR continues to get heavier and heavier into road course racing, I think that pedigree [IMSA] offers a lot of advantages to the ecosystem of a successful Cup team,” he articulated. Instead of pursuing an expansion into Xfinity or Truck racing, the focus is firmly on sports cars, building on the rich legacy of RFK’s involvement in IMSA, which was marked by co-owner Jack Roush’s extraordinary success in the 1980s.
Keselowski sees this venture not merely as a business expansion, but an evolution of his career, acknowledging the rejuvenating impact of Hendrick, who at 76, continues to navigate both a racing empire and his health challenges with remarkable adeptness. Hendrick reflects on his role: “I think my job is during the week, when the crew chiefs are back here, knowing what they need.” His wisdom and experience serve as a guiding light for Keselowski as he looks to combine RFK’s existing strengths with new opportunities in WEC and IMSA.
Although formal plans remain unsealed, the convergence of Ford’s ambitions, Keselowski’s energy, and his proven racing background suggests an exciting future. As competitive tensions mount in the 2025 Cup race and drivers like William Byron and Kyle Larson chase a historic 15th title, Keselowski remains focused on the horizon, setting his sights firmly on 2027 and the challenges it will bring. This path forward symbolizes not just a career shift for him, but the potential to invigorate American motorsport across different platforms.