In this installment of “Free Agent Focus”, we will be taking a look at the second RFK charter for the 2027 season.
As things currently stand, RFK outfits Brad Keselowski, Chris Buescher, and Ryan Preece across their three chartered entries. However, Rick Ware Racing leases out the charter currently used for Preece’s No. 60 Ford Mustang, and after this season, this charter reverts back to Legacy Motor Club due to an overcomplicated purchase that went to court.
RFK contracts more drivers than it has seats for next year. The 2025 season was a down year for the organization that has reached victory lane six times in points paying events in the NextGen era at the time of writing this. The expansion to three cars contributed to their 2025 struggles, particularly early in the season.
All three drivers showed tangible improvement throughout last year and look to carry that momentum into a collective push towards the 2026 Chase. Ryan Preece nabbed a win at this year’s Clash at Bowman Gray. As their performance dictates we are rating the second RFK ride at a B.
RFK remains as the clear second-best Ford team in the Cup Series behind Team Penske. All three drivers seem quite happy to work together and often run around one another on track, showing a seeming equality across all their cars. Now, let’s discuss what options they have looking forward.
Option 1: Chris Buescher
Chris Buescher is simply put the most successful driver that RFK has had since the late future NASCAR Hall of Famer Greg Biffle last drove for the organization in 2016. Since taking the 17 in 2020, Buescher has amassed five Cup wins with RFK on varying track types — from superspeedways to road courses and even a short track win.
Perhaps none of these provided as much excitement as his victory at Watkins Glen in 2024 where he outdueled road course ace Shane Van Gisbergen where the Texan drove what can only be described as a perfect last lap to get to, around, and ahead of Van Gisbergen to take home the checkered flag.
Buescher also stands alone as the last of the drivers that made it through the defunct Roush development program and has been tied to the organization as long as he has been in the Cup Series, even when he was driving for JTG Daugherty Racing. This relationship could help him maintain this ride at RFK well into 2027 and beyond.
Option 2: Ryan Preece
Ryan Preece finds himself at a familiar crossroads — a place he has spent much of his Cup career, unsure of what his future holds. Preece spent early stints of his Cup career with teams that no longer exist, such as the aforementioned JTG Daugherty Racing where he was teammates with Buescher and the now-shuttered Stewart-Haas Racing that closed after the 2024 season.
Preece is a multi-time Modified champion across multiple series with great part-time O’Reilly Series and Truck success where he has racked up four total wins. Preece’s biggest hinderance has been one most drivers in the country face: sponsor backing.
Despite the struggles, Preece carved out a place for himself in the Cup Series and has improved as he’s gained experience. The short track ace looks to the resume he has built and the success he hopes to find this year as core reasons for retaining his RFK seat as he continues to hunt his first Cup points win.
Most Likely Outcome: Extend Ryan Preece
The NASCAR Cup Series is a business that revolves around the idea of “What have you done for me lately?” as well as a business where the people you know means just as much as — if not more — what you can do on the track. For these reasons, we believe that extending Preece is the most likely outcome if RFK cannot obtain a third charter for 2027.
Ryan Preece won a race (albeit an exhibition) more recently than Buescher and has an ace up his sleeve that Buescher may not: backing of the Kroger group that came in as a major sponsor for RFK at the same time that Preece joined the fold.
This remains exceptionally notable as this is the same group that funded Preece’s entire 2021 campaign as an open car after the charter for his No. 37 car was sold to Spire Motorsports. They believed firmly enough in Preece in 2021 to fund his entire season, and it would not be a surprise for that same group to retain him if they have to choose between him and Buescher.
(Top Photo Credit: Chris Graythen/Getty Images)
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