By Luis Torres, Staff Writer/Photographer
Brad Keselowski had the dominant car in Sunday’s Goodyear 400 at Darlington Raceway, but he didn’t see it that way.
Keselowski won the first two stages and led a race-high 142 of 293 laps, but it was Tyler Reddick who bested him by a staggering 5.847 seconds for his fourth victory of the season after overcoming multiple adversities of his own.
“We didn’t have the best car today. Not compared to Tyler. Tyler drove a hell of a race, and he’s driving a rocket, and he’s making it count right now,” Keselowski explained.
“I think we got the most out of the day we were getting to get, honest, but we scored a lot of stage points, second place, first place loser, but that’s okay.”
While Reddick endured reliability and cool suit issues throughout the day, Keselowski had control of the competition.
However, his RFK Racing teammate Chris Buescher was hot on his tails to make the race compelling, but Keselowski still managed to fend him off for the top spot. Highlighted by frantic chase for the Stage 2 victory which Keselowski held Buescher off successfully.
Stage 1: Brad
Stage 2: Keselowski
Race Win: ???#NASCARonFS1 | @watchfoxone https://t.co/Fum8cYK68S pic.twitter.com/8ao2e3wJ5H— FOX: NASCAR (@NASCARONFOX) March 22, 2026
Then chaos ensued behind Keselowski during the final pit stop cycle when Reddick reappeared in the race lead battle and ran into the back of Buescher at the exit of Turn 2, sending him into the Turn 3 wall and off the pace until pitting for fresh tires and adjustments. The incident spelled the end of Buescher’s chances towards victory. Later on, another tangle with Carson Hocevar and Ty Gibbs in a three-wide battle for fifth plummeted him down to a disappointing ninth-place finish.
Meanwhile, Keselowski was ahead of Reddick after the final green flag stops wrapped up but was no longer the strongest car on the track in the eyes of others.
It all culminated with a race-winning pass by Reddick with 28 laps remaining after Keselowski ran Turn 1 slower, allowing Reddick to pull the crossover move and said farewell to the competition.
TYLER REDDICK TO THE LEAD. pic.twitter.com/QYLQKUHhNq
— FOX: NASCAR (@NASCARONFOX) March 22, 2026
On an afternoon that appeared to be a victorious weekend for RFK Racing, especially with its cars sporting Greg Biffle’s famous number font and paint schemes, Keselowski led the organization with a runner-up finish.
“Those problems earlier in the race that (Tyler) got kind of buried and he was just methodical. He did a great job,” Keselowski on Reddick’s dominance that were overshadowed by his gremlins early in the afternoon.
“He took the fastest car and ran an amazing race. When he was by me he was way faster. We had to fall into racing the track and even at the end I think he was managing it pretty hard, so, all in all, it’s a great day for us. We won two stages, led a lot of laps, scored a bunch of points, so a lot to be proud.”
This marked the 42-year-old’s sixth runner-up finish since his last NASCAR Cup Series win at the same track two years ago, three of them happening in the last 14 races dating back to last year.
While Keselowski wasn’t the driver going to victory lane, there was plenty of things to be proud of, including his No. 6 Ford Mustang Dark Horse having the famed Darlington stripe that would’ve made Biffle more than pleased.
“We’re doing the things we need to do and making the most of the days we have,” said the two-time Darlington winner. “It’s really cool to have the great group of cars running up front.
“I put a nice right-sided stripe on the car. I think that would make Greg proud. If you know Greg, you’ll understand that one. A good day for Solomon Plumbing Ford Mustang.”
After six races, Keselowski will head to Martinsville Speedway (Sunday, March 29 at 3:30 p.m. ET on FS1) tied with Christopher Bell in points at 142. With the tiebreaker favoring Bell, Keselowski is classified ninth in the regular season standings, 143 points behind Reddick.
Be the first to comment