Chris Buescher, the 33‑year‑old driver who has been a fixture in the No. 17 Ford for Roush Fenway Keselowski Racing since his teenage years, announced that he will remain with the team on a multi‑year agreement. The extension locks in a driver who already boasts six Cup Series victories and 92 top‑10 finishes, underscoring his blend of speed and consistency.
A Strategic Move Amid a Shifting Landscape
The announcement, made public on Tuesday, June 16, comes at a pivotal moment for the organization. RFK Racing is set to lose one of its three charters next season as the lease with Rick Ware Racing is transferred to Legacy Motor Club, a transaction that could reshape the team’s long‑term planning. Nevertheless, team president Chip Bowers has reaffirmed the organization’s intention to field three full‑time entries in the Cup Series, regardless of charter availability.
Buescher’s new deal follows a breakout 2023 season in which he captured three wins, secured a playoff berth and was crowned NASCAR’s Most Improved Driver. He currently sits seventh in the points standings heading into the road‑course event at Naval Base Coronado in San Diego, making him the only RFK driver inside the top‑16 cutoff for the postseason Chase.
The ripple effects of the contract go beyond Buescher’s garage. Brad Keselowski sits 17th in the standings while Ryan Preece is 19th, and the team will need to address the open seat created by Josh Berry’s departure from the Wood Brothers’ No. 21 Ford. Meanwhile, Corey Heim is slated to take over the No. 35 Toyota for 23XI Racing, displacing Riley Herbst, and Richard Childress Racing faces the challenge of filling the No. 33 Chevrolet after the tragic loss of Kyle Busch.
As the 2026 season unfolds, the moves signal a period of transition for several mid‑tier teams, each navigating sponsor relationships, charter economics and driver development. For Buescher, the contract represents not just personal security but also a chance to build on recent momentum as he aims for his first championship.