Less than a week ago, Brad Keselowski made the announcement of his parting from RFK Racing official; following up the announcement of a parting of the ways issued a few weeks ago.
The biggest question after that announcement wasn’t where would Brad Keselowski be going; but who will be driving the iconic number six car.
RFK Racing made the announcement on November 4 to answer that very question.
Current driver of the RFK number 60 car Ryan Preece will be the new driver in the number six car starting next season.
Preece will maintain his current pit crew and crew chief Derrick Finley when he changes cars next season.
Preece began driving the number 60 car last season and earned his first Cup Series win at Daytona Internation Speedway to end the regular season in August.
Preece will become just the sixth driver to sit behind the wheel of the iconic number six car joining Mark Martin, David Ragan, Ricky Stenhouse Jr, Ryan Newman, and Brad Keselowski.
Preece spoke on being chosen to drive the number six car via press release saying, “to be trusted with the six means more to me than I can put into words. When you think about what this number means to RFK Racing, you think about Jack Roush, Mark Martin and everything they built together. To know this team believes I’m the right person to carry that number into the future is incredibly humbling.”
He concluded, “I drove that number for Ed Partridge, who was more than just a car owner to me. He was one of my best friends and someone who believed in me and helped fund me an opportunity that changed my life. We didn’t know it at the time, but we won our final Whelen Modified Tour race together Richmond 2021. So when I say the No. 6 feels like home, it’s because it represents more than racing. It represents the people who believed in me, the relationships I’ve built and the memories that got me here. To have the opportunity to carry that number into the next chapter of my career means more than I can put into words.”
NASCAR Hall of Fame driver Mark Martin added,“I like Ryan Preece because he’s a racer, plain and simple. He came up the hard way, and he’s had to fight for everything he’s gotten. That’s something I respect. When he gets in a race car, he gives you everything he’s got, and he’s not going to be satisfied just riding around. That number means a lot to me, and I think Ryan is a great fit to carry it forward.”
RFK Racing president Chip Bowers noted, “Ryan Preece is a true racer making him the perfect fit for the number six. The six car is symbolic in our organization and has contributed to some incredible memories in the Cup Series. Ryan is not just enthusiastic about the opportunity, but more importantly, he’s embracing the expectations that come with taking the wheel of an iconic car. More great history is sure to be made with Ryan at the helm.”