Brad Keselowski will have to start from the rear of the field Sunday as he takes on Phoenix Raceway (3:30 p.m. ET on FS1). He will need a backup car.
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The 2012 Cup Series champion had an issue during Group 2 practice at Phoenix Raceway on Saturday morning. He blew a right front tire. This sent him straight into the Turn 3 outside wall.
Keselowski made his way back to pit road. At first, the No. 6 RFK Racing Ford Mustang did not appear to have more than a scraped right side. Yet, he told Fox Sports' reporter Larry McReynolds that he believed the team would need the backup car.
There are more practice problems!
This time, it's @keselowski! pic.twitter.com/JNPknAy874
— NASCAR (@NASCAR) March 7, 2026
According to the driver-owner, the No. 6 Ford had a bent front clip on the steering shaft. He said he believed they would need the backup car, which the team confirmed as the crew unloaded it from the hauler.
Keselowski had struggled with pace prior to the crash. He posted a best lap of 27.381 seconds, which ranked 34th among the 37 drivers on the entry list. His 10-lap average speed of 129.933 mph ranked 32nd.
The veteran driver is not the only member of RFK Racing to have a tire issue. Teammate Chris Buescher had to head back to pit road early in the session with a flat right-front tire. Keselowski noted that the No. 6 team saw this tire issue and pumped up the air before he headed out onto the track. It ultimately did not prevent an issue.
With Keselowski going to a different car, he will not be able to qualify as he tries to remain in contention for a spot in The Chase. He will start Sunday's race from the rear of the field, and he will try to navigate his way forward at a track where position is paramount.
Keselowski has made 33 starts at the 1-mile Arizona oval, eight since joining RFK Racing. He has never celebrated a win at the track, but he has posted 10 top-five finishes and 15 top-10s. He finished second in last season's championship race after starting 19th.
