NASCAR has never been kind to those who fall behind. One year, you’re a champion, a title contender, a force on the track. The next? You’re struggling to keep up as younger, hungrier drivers seize the spotlight. It’s the nature of the sport—fast, unforgiving, and always evolving. For years, Kyle Busch and Brad Keselowski defined dominance. Their aggressive styles, countless victories, and championship-winning seasons made them household names. But with the rise of new talents like William Byron, Tyler Reddick, and Christopher Bell, who’ve all notched impressive wins and shown incredible consistency, their once-unshakable positions now seem uncertain.
As these new faces bring fresh energy, Busch and Keselowski are left wondering: Can they still compete at the highest level, or has the sport moved on without them? The fans feel the latter.
Fading stars or just a phase for Kyle Busch and Brad Keselowski?
Kyle Busch’s NASCAR career is legendary, with 63 Cup Series wins, 102 Xfinity Series victories, and two Cup championships (2015 and 2019). He also holds the record for most wins across NASCAR’s top three series, with 232 victories. His aggressive style and dominance have made him one of the sport’s all-time greats. Unarguably, he was named as one of NASCAR’s 75 Greatest Drivers in 2023.
However, Kyle Busch’s recent performance has been lackluster. In 2024, he endured his first winless Cup Series season in 19 years, finishing 20th in the standings with only ten top-10 finishes. The struggles continued into 2025, as Busch led laps in races like the Circuit of The Americas, but bad luck eventually resulted in merely a top-5 finish. Naturally, despite his past success, fans are beginning to question whether his best days are behind him.
Brad Keselowski, the 2012 Cup Series champion, has also faced challenges in recent years. With 36 Cup wins and championships in both the Cup and Xfinity Series, Keselowski’s strategic racing and leadership at RFK Racing have cemented his legacy. However, his recent seasons have been underwhelming compared to his peak years.
Keselowski broke a 110-race winless streak with a victory at Darlington in 2024 but finished only 13th in the standings. While he secured nine top-5 finishes last year, his inability to consistently contend for wins has raised doubts about his ability to compete with NASCAR’s younger stars like William Byron and Tyler Reddick. This season, Brad K’s struggles have only compounded. In five races so far, The RFK Racing #6 has managed just two top-15 finishes! He has an average finish of 24.80, worse than his average start of 23.2. The signs of a decline are more evident in Keselowski than in Busch, but fans feel that the time might be up for the former champions.
Fans have begun speculating if Busch and Keselowski have already won their final races. A Reddit thread asking “What current full-time drivers do you think have already won their final race?” saw many fans naming these two veterans. As younger talents dominate the sport, the uncertainty surrounding Busch and Keselowski’s legacies looms large.
Busch and Keselowski are under fire!
The struggles of Kyle Busch and Brad Keselowski haven’t gone unnoticed by fans, many of whom are starting to question their future in NASCAR. One fan summed it up perfectly: “Keselowski wouldn’t surprise me. It’s really hard for me to say Busch because he shows flashes like at COTA, he’s just having the worst luck right now. I think he can get 1 more.” This sentiment reflects the growing uncertainty. Busch still has moments of brilliance. His seventh-place finish at Atlanta and fifth-place finish at COTA are a testament to his talent. But, bad luck and inconsistency continue to hold him back, like the late caution at COTA which saw him lose his 2-second lead at the front of the pack.
Another fan pointed out the harsh reality of their current teams, saying, “Busch and Keselowski are certainly both in the danger zone. They’re both in midpack equipment that takes everything aligning to get a win.” Unlike their dominant years at Joe Gibbs Racing and Team Penske, both veterans are now in cars that aren’t guaranteed contenders every weekend, like Richard Childress Racing and RFK Racing. Moreover, Busch is in his final guaranteed year at RCR, highlighting a ‘stick or twist’ situation for Rowdy when the season ends. Keselowski, on the other hand, now a co-owner at RFK Racing, has helped rebuild the team but still struggles to find Victory Lane consistently as a driver.
Some believe Busch simply isn’t the same ‘wild’ driver anymore. “Busch has lost his edge. He’s not Rowdy Busch…he’s more like Howdy Busch,” one fan quipped. It’s a brutal take, but it reflects how many feel about his decline. Once feared for his aggressive, no-holds-barred “Rowdy” racing style, Busch now seems unable to will his way to victories as he did in his prime.
For Keselowski, fans are beginning to wonder if his time is nearly up. “As for retirees, Keselowski is getting up there and isn’t looking too hot right now,” one comment read. At 41 years old, Keselowski is one of the oldest full-time drivers in the Cup Series. While age alone isn’t a career-ender, it’s clear that younger competitors have an advantage, and Brad K is struggling to keep up.
Another fan echoed this concern, saying, “I guess if Keselowski continues to struggle more in the 2nd half & carries it over to ‘26, I’d be questioning about his future as a driver.” Unlike Busch, who still has a few more years to find his footing, Keselowski’s window is closing fast. In a team like RFK Racing, who want to grow in the Cup Series and reach the heights that their roots of Roush Fenway Racing once had, Keselowski might have to step back. Don’t be surprised to see him in a part-time role like Jimmie Johnson at Legacy Motor Club if performances stay the same.
With both drivers deep into their late thirties and forties, their time at the top is limited. NASCAR is an ever-evolving sport, and history has shown that even legends eventually get left behind. Can Busch and Keselowski turn things around before it’s too late? Or are we witnessing the final chapters of their storied careers? What do you think? Tell us in the comments below!
The post Worried Fans Sound the Alarm on Kyle Busch & Brad Keselowski Amid Fears of Sealed NASCAR Legacy appeared first on EssentiallySports.