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Concord, NC – Ryan Preece is slated to take the reins of the iconic No. 6 Ford for Roush Fenway Keselowski (RFK) Racing, marking a significant shift in the team’s driver lineup for the 2027 NASCAR Cup Series season. This transition follows the confirmed departure of Brad Keselowski, a co-owner and driver for the team, from the No. 6 entry. Preece, who joined RFK Racing at the commencement of the 2025 season, has driven the No. 60 Ford and has recently achieved notable successes, including a victory in the Bowman Gray Clash exhibition race and his first career points-paying win at Daytona International Speedway, securing his place in the NASCAR playoffs.
Preece’s maiden Cup Series win in the No. 60 at Daytona was a historic achievement, marking the first time the number had visited victory lane in a points-paying Cup Series event since NASCAR Cup Series champion Bill Rexford in 1950. This success underscored a period of resurgence for RFK Racing and highlighted Preece’s growing capability within the sport’s premier series. However, the team’s strategic direction has necessitated a change in driver assignments for the upcoming seasons.
The No. 60 charter, which Preece currently utilizes, faces an uncertain future heading into the next season, potentially becoming charter-less unless a new agreement is finalized. In contrast, the No. 6 car carries a rich legacy within RFK Racing. Historically, the No. 6 has been a cornerstone of the organization, boasting over 30 Cup Series victories. It was notably driven by Mark Martin for an extended period, from 1988 through the 2006 season. Following Martin’s tenure, David Ragan piloted the No. 6 from 2007 to 2011. The number was then absent from full-time competition for a period before being reactivated for Trevor Bayne in 2015. Ryan Newman took over the No. 6 in 2019, and most recently, Brad Keselowski assumed the driving duties in 2022.
Preece is expected to bring his existing team and personnel, including crew chief Derrick Finley, to the No. 6 program. The primary alteration will be the numerical designation on the race car. Expressing his commitment to the new challenge, Preece stated in a video released by RFK Racing, "I hate losing more than I love winning, and the people that are around me since the beginning know that. I’ve had a lot of great moments with this number, so I’m looking forward to making many more. My plan to build on this legacy is by doing exactly what we did with the 60, and that’s winning. I don’t go and half-ass things so I’m not gonna half-ass this."
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The significance of the No. 6 is not lost on those within the NASCAR community. Mark Martin, a legendary figure who drove the No. 6 for nearly two decades, expressed his confidence in Preece’s ability to uphold the number’s prestigious history. "I like Ryan Preece because he’s a racer, plain and simple," Martin commented. "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."
Preece’s connection to the No. 6 extends beyond his current NASCAR Cup Series endeavors. He achieved significant success in NASCAR Modified racing, accumulating over a dozen victories while carrying the No. 6. This personal history adds another layer of sentiment to his upcoming transition.
"I drove that number for Ed Partridge, who was more than just a car owner to me," Preece reflected. "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 at Richmond in 2021. So, when I say the number 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."
Brad Keselowski’s departure from RFK Racing, after a five-year tenure as both a driver and co-owner, represents a significant strategic shift for the organization. His involvement was instrumental in the team’s growth and recent successes, including the development of Preece’s career within the Cup Series. Keselowski’s decision is reportedly driven by a desire to pursue new opportunities and further his contributions to the sport in different capacities. His tenure with RFK Racing saw the team achieve a renewed level of competitiveness, and his influence on the team’s direction and infrastructure has been widely acknowledged.
Preece’s recent performances have demonstrated his potential to contend at the highest level of stock car racing. His victory at Daytona was a testament to his skill and the evolving capabilities of the RFK Racing operation. The transition to the No. 6, a number steeped in racing history and personal significance for Preece, is anticipated to provide him with a strong platform to build upon his career. The combination of his proven talent, the support of his established team, and the historical weight of the No. 6 positions Preece as a key figure to watch in the NASCAR Cup Series in the seasons to come. RFK Racing, under the continued leadership of Jack Roush and Brad Keselowski’s strategic input, appears poised to leverage this driver and number transition to maintain its competitive trajectory. The team’s strategic planning for the No. 60 charter’s future remains a developing situation, but the focus for the immediate future is on Preece’s integration into the storied No. 6.
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