Brad Keselowski Unmasks NASCAR's Hidden OEM Power Shift
Brad Keselowski recently spoke out about NASCAR's 7th generation of Cup cars and the sport's rules changes.
He drove three of those generations and witnessed the Original Equipment Manufacturers gaining power.
Keselowski cited Furniture Row Racing as an example of a team that was successful but shut down due to rising costs.
They won the 2017 Cup Series championship with Martin Truex Jr.
The rules were changed around 2020-2021, taking away outlay engineering from teams and giving it to the OEMs.
This created a dynamic shift in the sport, preventing underdog teams like Furniture Row from being successful.
Keselowski hopes Ford will adopt a similar tactic to Toyota, working closely with teams like RFK Racing.
Otherwise, top teams like Hendrick Motorsports and Team Penske will continue to dominate.
Keselowski warned that the consequence of the rules change was the creation of a tier system for teams.
Top teams got the lion's share of funds, while other teams were left scrambling.
Toyota's approach has bridged the gap between their teams, with Joe Gibbs Racing and 23XI Racing working closely together.
This has led to improved on-track results for Toyota.
Keselowski's team, RFK Racing, could benefit from Ford adopting a similar approach.
He believes this would help level the playing field and give underdog teams a chance to be successful.
The sport's rules have changed significantly over its 75-year history, with many changes aimed at improving safety.
However, Keselowski's comments highlight the need for a more balanced approach to ensure underdog teams can compete.
As a team owner, Keselowski is keenly aware of the challenges faced by smaller teams.
He hopes that by speaking out, he can help bring about change and create a more level playing field.
The last 6-7 seasons have seen a clear divide between top teams and smaller teams.
Keselowski's comments suggest that this divide is not just due to talent or resources, but also due to the rules and procedures in place.