“He’s the Guy”: Brad Keselowski Lets Slip His Desire to Steal Trackhouse Prodigy Amid Interest in a Third Charter

The NASCAR silly season is on a roll, with multiple charters up for grabs. The teams are plotting moves to build and expand their racing projects. RFK Racing driver and co-owner, Brad Keselowski, didn’t hesitate in name-dropping the third driver to join the team if they did buy a third charter. Front Row Motorsports has already started the domino effect with the purchase of a third charter for themselves. And it looks like Keselowski and RFK Racing could be following suit.

So who is it going to be? Chase Briscoe or Noah Gragson from the defunct Stewart-Haas Racing camp, or another driver from a prominent team. Well, Keselowski isn’t concerned with the drama that is unfolding in the garage; rather, he has his eye on the next NASCAR rising star, Connor Zilisch.

Brad Keselowski has a nose for talent

Currently, RFK Racing runs a two-team operation, but according to Keselowski, a three-car team makes more sense, at least from a financial standpoint. While RFK Racing has not been in the rumors or speculations, they certainly won’t shut the door on the prospect of fielding a third car. Especially if they get hold of Zilisch, who is currently on contract with Trackhouse Racing.

Keselowski, speaking on Kevin Harvick’s Happy Hour podcast, shared his preferred pick as the third driver at RFK Racing. “I think right now the best young talent in the garage, or I don’t even know if it’s fair to say in the garage, but that I see at least, that could drive a Cup car is probably Connor Zilisch. Just when I keep my eyes open and I watch him race, he’s the one that I see has the most potential … If you told me, ‘Brad, go put a young driver in, make him a star, and here’s all the money to do it,’ he’s the guy.”

The teenage sensation has already started to make a name for himself with his recent stints in the Craftsman Truck and ARCA Series. In his first national series race start, the driver took command of the No. 7 Spire Motorsports truck and finished 4th in his debut race. He is expected to return for three additional runs this season. Moreover, his two starts in the ARCA Series have resulted in straight wins at Iowa and Dover.

So it’s understandable why a veteran like Brad Keselowski is keeping a close eye on the young driver. But, given that he is under contract at Trackhouse Racing, it is hard to see him make a switch this early in his career. At least not until this chaotic, silly season passes. Speaking about the early days of racing, Keselowski also went on to share his cool story, which he would like to relive again.

Dale Earnhardt Jr’s contribution to Keselowski’s rise in NASCAR was instrumental

Back in 2007, Keselowski was in a rough spot after securing his first full-time Busch Series (now called Xfinity) ride with Keith Coleman Racing. Unfortunately, the team decided to shut down their racing operation, leaving the driver stranded after his first-ever breakthrough season. However, fate had other plans in store for Keselowski, and his Truck Series performance in Memphis caught the attention of Dale Earnhardt Jr. And next thing you know, he left a voicemail to the driver offering him a seat in the No. 88 car at JR Motorsports.

This indeed was a huge turnaround for Keselowski, as he went on to win six races along with back-to-back 3rd place championship finishes. Recalling the moment when he received the voice call from Dale Jr, he said, “I landed in Detroit and turned my phone on, and I had a voicemail from Dale Earnhardt Jr. And I remember thinking this is the coolest thing ever. I think I talked to him on a Monday or Tuesday, and next thing I knew, I was flying up to North Carolina, and my world just flipped.”

This was the time when Dale Jr was also involved in a public feud with Teresa Earnhardt and was not sure if he would continue running JRM. Therefore, Keselowski’s intervention kind of worked in the favor of both; JRM kept prospering, and the driver was also able to elevate his racing career.