Brad Keselowski’s RFK Racing isn’t just about speed—it’s about building something stronger off the track, too. That’s where the bond with Solomon Plumbing comes in. What began as a sponsor relationship quickly evolved into a deeper partnership rooted in shared values: hard work, resilience, and pride in the blue-collar grind. Whether it’s tackling the grind of a long season or navigating the unpredictable twists of superspeedway racing, RFK and its partners have cultivated a culture of support and shared ambition.
But even the strongest teams face storms, and recent weeks have tested RFK’s resolve like never before. At Talladega, while one RFK driver executed with grit and smarts all day long, the post-race reality in the following days hit like a wreck. The story that unfolded after the checkered flag? That’s where it gets heavy.
Ryan Preece was miserable after getting the news
Brad Keselowski didn’t need many words. Just one tweet. “Heartbreaking .” That’s how he reacted to the passing of Danny Allor II, a key Solomon Plumbing figure and close RFK Racing ally. Allor died just days before his 57th birthday on May 6, mere days after Talladega, turning what should’ve been a moment of celebration into a weekend of sorrow.
Before the grief, there was hope. RFK Racing showed up at Talladega with a purpose. A purpose to prove that they are a team to be taken seriously. While the race didn’t prove to be a good outing for Chris Buescher (34th place) and Brad Keselowski (36th place), both with DNFs, Ryan Preece more than made up for it. You see, Preece with his career-best performance narrowly missed the top spot by just 0.022 seconds behind Austin Cindric. But the joy didn’t last long. NASCAR’s post-race inspection would strip it all away.
The issue? An extra shim! NASCAR officials disqualified Ryan Preece for having three spoiler shims instead of two. That’s legal at most tracks. But not at superspeedways like Talladega. The extra shim, added during tech to correct the spoiler angle, sealed his fate. “It’s not like it was a performance thing. It’s not like you want to add a shim to put spoiler angle in a car. It was to pass tech. In the heat of the battle, you’re just trying to get through tech. It is what it is.” Preece explained. Preece’s car violated Rule 14.5.8.F, leading to a technical infraction. According to this rule, teams must use exactly two shims on the spoiler to maintain a level aerodynamic playing field. Adding or removing shims can change the spoiler’s angle, potentially offering an unfair advantage.
Despite the setback, Preece didn’t let the DQ overshadow his inspiring run at Talladega. “There’s nothing for any of us to hang our heads on,” Preece added. He also revealed that he found out about the disqualification on the road. “I was driving my motorhome. I was about two hours in when I got the call,” he recalled. “The next four hours were pretty miserable.” A crushing blow after a well-executed weekend. Yet through it all, Ryan Preece remained grounded. “I couldn’t be more proud of being a part of RFK.”
Ryan Preece on the hit in points for the DQ from Talladega for the team having more than two shims on its spoiler (they added a third when trying to get the spoiler angle right and while allowed at other tracks, two shims not allowed at superspeedways). @NASCARONFOX pic.twitter.com/hkgyXFkp6T
— Bob Pockrass (@bobpockrass) May 3, 2025
“The way we adapted as a team, the way we persevered our green flag pit stops, the guys did a great job,” Preece said. He described his mindset during the race with pride. Ryan Preece’s strategy was textbook superspeedway racing: he stayed patient in the draft, avoided the big wrecks, and worked with his spotter to time his late-race surge perfectly. His team executed flawless green-flag pit stops, adapting their approach as the race evolved, and Preece attacked each stage with a calculated mix of aggression and restraint.
Texas race offers RFK a chance for redemption and remembrance
As RFK Racing regroups from the heartbreak of Talladega, all eyes now turn to Texas Motor Speedway, a track known for high speeds and high drama, and one that could offer the team a much-needed reset. For Ryan Preece, the Texas race is more than just another chance to prove himself after a disqualification that stripped away his career-best finish. It’s an opportunity to show the same grit and teamwork that nearly delivered a win at Talladega.
Brad Keselowski and Chris Buescher will also be looking to rebound after early exits in Alabama, hoping to put the No. 6 and No. 17 Fords back in contention. Brad Keselowski has an impressive record at Texas Motor Speedway. He has an average finish of 5.7 in the Next-Gen era, which is second best among active drivers. His best Cup result at Texas is a second-place finish in 2024, and he’s consistently been a contender at the 1.5-mile oval.
Chris Buescher, despite being a Texas native, has struggled at his home track. In 15 Cup starts at Texas, he has yet to record a top-10 finish and has only finished on the lead lap twice. His best result remains outside the top 10, though recent speed shows promise. Hopefully, he will be able to finally break the curse and get a decent result in his home race.
In the garage and on the grid, the memory of Danny Allor II will linger. RFK Racing will pay tribute to the late Danny Allor II this weekend at Texas Motor Speedway with a special decal honoring his memory. The decal will be featured on the No. 6, No. 17, and No. 60 cars as a mark of respect for Allor. This gesture underscores the deep bond between the team and Allor, who was more than just a partner.
For RFK, Texas isn’t just about points or podiums. It’s about channeling pain into performance. They are racing for more than just themselves, and carrying the legacy of those who helped build their foundation.
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