Has RFK Returned To Glory?

With both its drivers currently in the playoffs, has RFK Racing returned to glory?

Wyatt Watson: With the results that the team has been showcasing, RFK has certainly improved mightily from last year. Brad Keselowski battling for the win at Atlanta Motor Speedway, both cars running well at Daytona International Speedway and both running top 10 at Phoenix Raceway until the last few laps certainly shows it is contending for a playoff berth for the first time since Matt Kenseth and Carl Edwards were the stars of RFK.

However, to say it has returned to glory is an overstatement. That would mean RFK is the championship favorite it was back in the mid-2000s. It would also mean the team would have four entries again, with each one competing for the playoffs. If RFK truly wants to be mentioned as a team that has returned to glory, it has to contend for the championship. It’s not there right now.

Luken Glover: Considering this was a team that won championships and could be reliable for six-plus wins in a season, not yet — but it is trending in that direction. After Ryan Newman pointed the No. 6 into the playoffs in 2019, the team struggled the next two seasons. However, after Chris Buescher got a win at Bristol Motor Speedway last year, RFK has backed up those flashes with more consistent speed so far. Intermediates and flat tracks will show where RFK is at, but so far, it looks much more competitive. It has a driver whose driving style reminds me of Kenseth in Buescher and a motivated co-owner/driver in Keselowski. It won’t be long before it’s back to its former glory.

Steve Leffew: Not yet. The RFK duo had an average finish of 17.75 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway and Phoenix. It’s definitely improved, and the new car likely plays a role in that. But we are talking about an organization that once put five cars in the playoffs. An organization that competed for championships in all national series. The good news for RFK fans is it seems clear the bleeding has stopped. Don’t be surprised if it picks up a win or two this season, but it’s still got a long way to go.

Josh Calloni: No, RFK hasn’t returned to full glory, but it sure is close. Last season, it seemed as if it would have one of the team cars on a good run, but not the other, aside from a few races. However, this year, both its drivers have looked consistently fast. Pairing that fact with two extremely good drivers in Buescher and Keselowski, it’s only a matter of time…