Modified Ace Ryan Preece and supermarket chain Kroger will join RFK Racing in 2025. RFK will also bring back the winningest car in their history, the #60 Ford Mustang.
A not-so-well-kept secret was confirmed this morning. Ryan Preece will join RFK Racing in 2025, driving the #60 Ford Mustang. Also joining the team will be the supermarket chain Kroger, and their partnership brands of over twenty unique products. This move was highly anticipated throughout the season, with Bob Pockrass asking co-owner Brad Keselowski the same question in the media center on several different occasions.
You’ve been waiting…
You’ve been asking…
The day is finally here!A special announcement, just for @bobpockrass! pic.twitter.com/tsLNRobeUI
— Brad Keselowski (@keselowski) November 19, 2024
Ryan Preece, selected from day one:
Preece is known for his talent in the NASCAR Modified ranks. He is the 2013 Champion of the modified tour and holds 26 wins and 82 top fives. RFK President Steve Newmark released this statement regarding Preece;
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.
Preece has made 12 starts in the Craftsman Truck Series, most recently winning at Nashville for DGR in 2022. He has made 62 Xfinity Series starts, driving for teams like JR Motorsports, Joe Gibbs Racing, JD Motorsports, and BJ Mcleod. He won two races with Joe Gibbs in 2017 and 2018.
Ryan Preece was previously racing at Stewart-Haas Racing but with the team closing its doors at the end of the season, he became a free agent. Not much was heard about Preece’s moves, the only rumor floating was him heading to RFK. Preece had previously raced for JTG-Daughtery, where the Kroger Sponsorship had been.
Kroger to RFK brings potential for new speed:
The Kroger partnership model will bring the grocery store chain and 20 other partners to the cars. Iconic brands like Coca-Cola, Kleenex, Celsius Energy, General Mills, and almost twenty different brands to RFK Racing.
Kroger has been a partner in NASCAR since 2010. They earned three wins, one with AJ Allmendinger and two with Ricky Stenhouse Jr. Steve Newmark thanked Kroger and Tad and Jodi Geschickter;
“We’re thrilled to formally and publicly announce our expansion plans and the next step in our evolution at RFK. 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.
This level of sponsorship is exactly what RFK needed. Since Brad Keselowski joined the team in 2022, the team has climbed upwards in performance. Chris Buescher won the Bristol Night Race that year, breaking a four-year winless streak. Performance continued to climb, as Buescher would win three races and both cars would be in the playoffs. This year saw Brad Keselowski breaking his winless streak at Darlington and a great battle between Buescher and SVG at Watkins Glen.
Performance expectations are high for RFK Racing going into 2025. Can all three cars lock into the playoffs? Will Preece adapt to the change quickly or will there be growing pains? Time will tell.
It’s been a long time coming. 😏🛒
Kroger, the No. 60, and Ryan Preece are all headed to RFK Racing for 2025. pic.twitter.com/naqTMolnP4
— RFK Racing (@RFKracing) November 19, 2024
RFK has adapted quickly to change, see the 2022 season. Earning a win in a season where you brought on a new co-owner and new direction for the team is not a feat to be taken lightly. I anticipate strong runs across the three cars in the Roush stable. The future looks bright for this historic NASCAR Cup Series team.
