Every racer who competes in a Cup Series race is eyeing the win. However, sometimes, due to limitations and situations outside their control, drivers cannot perform at their full potential.
While putting forth underwhelming performances and finishing below expectations is never ideal, it’s still better than earning the dreaded DNF. Whether it’s due to vehicle damage, mechanical failure, or sheer bad luck, a DNF is one of the biggest nightmares for any driver. And while plenty of big names have been bitten by the DNF bug this season, few have felt it as often—or as painfully—as Brad Keselowski.
The RFK Racing veteran has failed to finish five of his 12 starts this year. That’s a troubling statistic for a driver of his pedigree.
All of Brad Keselowski’s DNFs This Season
One of the most experienced drivers in the Cup Series, Keselowski is arguably having one of the toughest seasons of his career.
His first DNF of the year came at Atlanta. After starting ninth and looking solid early on, his No. 6 Ford was caught in a multi-car crash with Chase Elliott and Corey LaJoie on Lap 150, ending his race prematurely.
Then came Phoenix. Starting 20th, Keselowski ran just 98 laps before getting caught in another pile-up that ended his day—and several others’—early.
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At Talladega, disaster struck again. Keselowski didn’t even make it out of Stage 1, wrecking out alongside Ryan Blaney and Kyle Busch.
Hopes were high in Texas, where Keselowski had finished in the top 10 in six straight races. But late in the race, he lost control of his Ford, spun, and triggered a multi-car wreck. After slamming the inside wall, his car was too damaged to continue.
Then came Kansas, his most recent outing. Keselowski looked strong early, finishing the first and second stages in 14th and 6th place. But on Lap 194, while running just behind leader Kyle Larson, the right front tire on his No. 6 Ford blew out. He slammed the fence, and just like that, his day was done again.
That Kansas DNF marked three straight unfinished races for Keselowski—the longest streak of his Cup career.
Before this, the most DNFs Keselowski recorded in a single season came in 2018. Despite six DNFs that year, he still made it to the Round of 12 in the playoffs and finished 8th in the overall driver standings while racing for Team Penske.
Joseph Srigley of TobyChristie.com recently posted about Keselowski on X, highlighting the alarming trend:
“After his DNF at Kansas, Brad Keselowski has failed to finish three straight NASCAR Cup Series events for the first time in his 569-race career.
Keselowski’s 5 DNFs in the first 12 races of the year are only one fewer than his career-high for a single season (6, 2018).”
While these are just numbers on a stat sheet, they paint a worrying picture. The real question: has the worst of the season passed for Keselowski—or is there still more trouble ahead?