Ryan Preece is set to switch to Roush Fenway Keselowski (RFK) Racing’s iconic No. 6 car next year, following Brad Keselowski’s planned departure. Preece, who initially joined RFK Racing for the 2025 season driving the No. 60 Ford, has already made a strong impression with a victory at the Bowman Gray Clash exhibition and his first points-paying win in the Daytona cutoff race, which secured him a spot in the Chase. Notably, he’s the first driver to win a Cup race with the No. 60 since Bill Rexford in 1950.
Starting in 2027, Preece will take over the No. 6, a number deeply rooted in the team’s history. With Keselowski stepping away after five years as both co-owner and driver, the No. 6 will regain prominence with Preece behind the wheel. Meanwhile, the No. 60, which currently leases a charter, might lose its charter status next season unless a deal is made.
“I hate losing more than I love winning, and those who know me understand that,” Preece said in an RFK Racing video. “I’ve had many great moments with the 60, and I’m excited to create more with the 6. My goal is to honor its legacy by winning—there’s no half-measuring my efforts.”
The No. 6 holds a storied place in RFK’s history, having earned over 30 Cup wins, driven by legends like Mark Martin (1988-2006), David Ragan (2007-2011), Trevor Bayne (2015), Ryan Newman (2019), and Keselowski since 2022. Martin praised Preece for his tenacity and racing spirit, calling him an ideal choice to carry the No. 6 legacy forward.
Preece also has personal ties to the number, having won more than a dozen NASCAR Modified races in the No. 6. Reflecting on that connection, he shared, “I drove the 6 for Ed Partridge, who was more than a car owner—he was a close friend who believed in me and helped open doors that changed my life. Winning our final Whelen Modified Tour race together in Richmond in 2021 made that number feel like home. Carrying it now means so much more than just racing—it’s about honoring relationships and memories that got me here.”
Fan Take: This shift signifies more than a simple number change; it’s a passing of the torch within RFK Racing that rekindles the team’s rich heritage. For NASCAR fans, seeing Ryan Preece embrace the legendary No. 6 signals a promising new chapter that blends respect for tradition with an exciting future of competition.
Source: www.motorsport.com
