Denny Hamlin has spent years balancing the demands of being a NASCAR Cup Series driver and a team co-owner, which gives him a different perspective on what Brad Keselowski’s departure will mean for RFK Racing. As Keselowski prepares to leave the organization after the 2026 season, Hamlin believes the change will be much bigger than simply finding another driver for the No. 6 Ford.
Keselowski joined what was then Roush Fenway Racing in 2022 as a driver and co-owner, taking on a much broader role in the organization. He became deeply involved in competition decisions while continuing to compete at the highest level, eventually helping guide the team through a significant competitive transformation. Hamlin acknowledged that combination is difficult, especially when the responsibilities extend beyond what most drivers are asked to handle.
However, Hamlin also pointed to the results that followed Keselowski’s arrival. RFK eventually returned to the postseason picture, with both Chris Buescher and Ryan Preece making the 2026 Chase, while Keselowski’s five-year run produced one Cup Series victory at Darlington in May 2024. His 36 career wins remain a reminder of what he brought to the organization as a driver, even as his responsibilities at RFK went well beyond the No. 6 car.
Yet the biggest question now is what RFK looks like without Keselowski helping shape its competitive direction. The organization has confirmed it will continue as a three-car operation in 2027 and plans to replace Keselowski as head of competition. That means RFK is not simply searching for a new driver. It is also preparing for a leadership change that could influence how the team develops cars, approaches competition and makes decisions across its operation.
Hamlin compared the situation to his own experience with 23XI Racing, explaining that he prefers setting the larger vision and allowing the people around him to handle the smaller pieces. He admitted he could not imagine combining his driving responsibilities with the kind of competition workload Keselowski carried. That is why Hamlin believes the departure represents a major reset for the Roush Fenway organization. The foundation Keselowski helped build will remain.
But the people responsible for carrying it forward will have to establish their own direction. For RFK, that transition comes at an important moment. The team has shown it can compete for postseason spots, but replacing a driver, co-owner, and competition leader at the same time creates uncertainty. Still, the next chapter will ultimately be measured on the track. That could make the transition just as important as the personnel changes. RFK has the opportunity to prove that the progress made during Keselowski’s tenure was bigger than one person, and 2027 will start to answer that.
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