The image was a gut punch to NASCAR fans everywhere. Brad Keselowski stretched out on a medical gurney with a wet cloth draped over his face, surrounded by concerned crew members after Sunday’s COTA race. What should have been just another challenging day at the Circuit of The Americas for the veteran racer turned into a harrowing health scare that momentarily overshadowed Christopher Bell’s victory celebration.
The post-race scene at Circuit of The Americas quickly shifted focus from Bell’s “respectful” overtaking of Kyle Busch to the alarming health situation developing with one of NASCAR’s most respected driver-owners. RFK Racing’s initial update confirmed what many feared — Keselowski had experienced a potentially dangerous equipment failure during the race that required immediate medical intervention after the race.
Brad Keselowski fought through the heat
Behind the alarming image lay a story of extreme physical duress that few outside the racing world could fully comprehend. Midway through the race, disaster struck inside the No. 6 Ford. Keselowski’s cooling suit failed completely—a critical malfunction with Austin temperatures hovering around 80 degrees and track surface temperatures approaching 100. RFK Racing later confirmed he received intravenous fluids at the infield care center to combat severe dehydration.
Just one day after the frightening images caused widespread concern, Keselowski addressed his supporters with a message that included three words that resonated deeply: “we came home.”
His complete post on X reflected both gratitude and determination: “Yesterday was a tough one at COTA. Sometimes things happen that are out of our control, but I’m thankful for my team and the care I received at track. At the end of it all, we came home with a top 15 finish. Appreciate the support – on to Phoenix.”
Yesterday was a tough one at COTA. Sometimes things happen that are out of our control, but I’m thankful for my team and the care I received at track. At the end of it all, we came home with a top 15 finish. Appreciate the support – on to Phoenix. pic.twitter.com/RxzoMdDOyJ
— Brad Keselowski (@keselowski) March 3, 2025
The severity of Keselowski’s situation was evident as reports later revealed that his power steering had also failed, forcing him to muscle the two-ton race car around COTA’s demanding layout while his body temperature soared to dangerous levels. Despite these mounting challenges, Keselowski remarkably piloted his car to a 15th-place finish before immediately requiring medical attention. But how did he do it?
Well, the radio conversation between Keselowski and his crew chief, Jeremy Bullins, revealed their solution to the cool suit failure.
Keselowski: “I’m just on fire here, man.”
Bullins: “I think there’s a system where we can purge the (cool suit), but you would have to do it, and we would lose some time doing it.”
Brad Keselowski was not about to disrupt his chances at a decent finish because of a suit malfunction. Instead, he asked for a plan B:
Keselowski: “No, I’m not stopping.”
Bullins: “We can give you an ice pack and just roll on here. You tell us what you need to do here.”
Keselowski: “Just give me the ice pack, let’s go.”
Like the warrior he is, Brad Keselowski acquired the ice pack at the pit box and then drove the rest of the race, somehow surviving the blistering heat. After the race, he did not attempt a cool-down lap and instantly received medical attention. Fans at home who were unaware of Brad’s situation were visibly shocked to see the 2012 Cup Series Champion being stretchered off the track. However, Keselowski is safe and healthy now and got a top-15 finish for all his troubles.
Keselowski’s resilience in the face of these challenges exemplifies why many consider him one of NASCAR’s toughest competitors. Despite equipment failures that would have sidelined many drivers, he not only finished the race but secured his second-best result ever at COTA. His dual role as both competitor and team co-owner adds another dimension to his remarkable performance, with his determination to finish the race despite physical distress reflecting the leadership mentality he brings to RFK Racing.
NASCAR community rallies behind Keselowski
The NASCAR community’s response to Keselowski’s health scare was immediate and heartfelt, with fans flooding social media with messages of support and concern. “That picture made my heart drop when I was scrolling,” one Reddit user commented, while another plainly stated, “That’s dehydration. Not good.”
Following Keselowski’s reassuring message, the outpouring of support continued across platforms. One user wrote, “That’s scary. Glad you’re okay, Brad.” The RFK Racing driver-owner has always been a cult fan favorite for his outspoken nature and his willingness to give his all. Today, that was on full display, and fans were in awe of it, one of them commenting, “Thats my driver.”
Many supporters acknowledged Keselowski’s extraordinary effort despite the equipment failures. One fan said, “You did great based on the situation throughout the race. Glad to hear you are doing better,” while another fan praised his driving skill: “Phenomenal drive yesterday all things considered. It was a blast watching your in-car throughout the race. You made some beautiful passes yesterday!”
Brad Keselowski showing this much grit and skill at a road course produced a mixture of shock and appreciation from fans. The RFK Racing No.6 has raced 47 times on road courses without a single win and only 7 top-5 finishes. At COTA, he has been especially poor, with just one top-15 finish before Sunday’s race. So, being able to notch up another top-15 despite going through that much adversity garnered heaps of praise. As one fan said, “What a great finish at the road course, 15th. Your grit and dedication to finish that race was awesome. That’s why we as fans will always say #6neverquits.”
The incident also sparked important conversations about driver safety protocols and broadcast coverage during health emergencies. Many viewers expressed frustration that broadcasters overlooked Keselowski’s serious condition during the race broadcast. “I was watching his incar and saw him immediately pull over after the start finish and back onto pit road but I didn’t hear anything was wrong with him,” one fan noted, adding, “How do they just ignore that in the booth?”
As the NASCAR circuit moves on to Phoenix Raceway this weekend, fans will be watching the No. 6 car with renewed interest and appreciation. For a driver who has always let his racing do the talking, Keselowski’s succinct three-word remark on his takeaways from the race embodied the forward-looking mindset that has carried him through championships and challenges. In a sport where danger is always just one mechanical failure away, Keselowski’s message served as both reassurance to worried fans and a testament to the unbreakable spirit that defines NASCAR’s most respected competitors.
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