Roush Fenway Keselowski will run three full-time NASCAR Cup Series teams in 2025
Ryan Preece has been signed by RFK Racing for the 2025 season. Preece is coming from a full-time ride at Stewart-Haas Racing, but SHR will not be on the grid in 2024 after the team closure.
Tony Stewart says NASCAR charter agreements are ‘a joke’
Preece will drive the No. 60 machine full-time for RFK. This marks an expansion from a two-car team to a three-car team. Preece joins teammates Chris Buescher and Brad Keselowski.
Kroger is also joining the team as a major sponsor. 20 brands will be featured on all three cars throughout the season.
RFK is leasing the charter from Rick Ware Racing
“Just to be clear, our vision is that a third car is a permanent state and a permanent condition for RFK,” Steve Newmark of RFK stated.
“But you still have to navigate the charter landscape, so what we have done at least in the short term is we’ve been fortunate that we have a partnership with Rick Ware Racing, a technical alliance where we’ve been working hand-in-hand with Rick Ware and Robby Benton over the last year to try and elevate the performance of both teams.”
“As part of that going into next year we’ll be leasing one of the Rick Ware charters, still collaborating with that organization to try to again lift both organizations and make sure that we can continue to elevate our game. That is the charter we will have for next year and then, obviously, the future will see what that brings.”
23XI Racing expands to three car team for 2025 NASCAR season
Kroger comments
“The Kroger Racing program and collaboration with participating brands has been a successful staple in Kroger’s portfolio for more than a decade,” said Erin Sanchez, vice president of grocery for Kroger.
Sanchez added, “We’re very excited to be teaming up with RFK Racing and know having three drivers as members of the Kroger Racing Family will be an added benefit for all our brand sponsors involved in the program. The opportunity to utilize multiple drivers in their marketing strategies both in our stores and within their merchandising initiatives is something we’re all looking forward to with the start of the 2025 season.”
“Kroger’s relationship with JTG Daugherty Racing, and most recently, Ricky Stenhouse Jr., have really been something special,” said Brent Cox, director of health and baby care for Kroger.
“Everyone at Kroger and all our participating sponsors wish the team and Ricky nothing but the best and thank them for all they’ve done for us over the years. We are excited to continue working with Tad and Jodi Geschickter through their marketing firm, BAM (Brand Activation Maximizer), as we move into this new chapter with RFK Racing.
Cox added, “BAM will continue to represent the Kroger Racing program, and we know it’s in good hands with their team.”
Comments from brand representatives
“We’ve had so much fun partnering with JTG Racing over the years and we’re excited about the 2025 season,” said Kelley McClellan, brand manager for Kimberly-Clark. “Kimberly-Clark and its’ Cottonelle, Kleenex, Viva and Scott Brands look forward to another exciting year of high-octane racing and unforgettable moments with the NASCAR community.”
“We’re thrilled to continue our collaboration with Kroger Racing and excited by the new partnership with RFK racing and drivers Brad Keselowski and Chris Buescher,” said Shane Faucet, Senior Vice President-Customers, Bimbo Bakeries USA. “Together, we’re united in our commitment to excellence both on and off the track and look forward to creating more unforgettable moments for fans.”
“General Mills is a proud, long-standing partner of Kroger Racing, and we are excited to enter into this new chapter with Kroger and RFK Racing,” said Molly Jagoditz, Kroger Lead, General Mills. “This program continues to bring home the win for us both in-store and at the track, and we can’t wait to see what 2025 brings.”
“We are thrilled to partner with Kroger for our third year of the racing program, which underscores Coca-Cola’s long-standing commitment to excellence and innovation,” said Katie Grabosky, Sr Sales Director, Coca-Cola Kroger Team. “This collaboration provides a unique platform to connect with our passionate consumers and support the dynamic world of motorsports. We look forward to fueling the excitement and camaraderie that racing brings to fans together!”
“We are thrilled for the future of the Kroger Racing program and the new partnership with RFK,” said Adam Clay, Director of Kroger Oscar Mayer and Lunchables. “This program has provided a great opportunity to supply race fans with visibility to some of their racetrack favorites like Oscar Mayer Hot Dogs, Heinz Ketchup, Kraft Mayonnaise, and exciting innovation. We’re looking forward to hitting the track together in February and driving growth both in stores and in victory lane!”
“CELSIUS is thrilled to partner with Kroger Racing and bring ESSENTIAL ENERGY to fans and drivers around the nation,” commented Kyle Watson, CMO at CELSIUS. “This is a great opportunity to further strengthen our relationship with consumers through a synergistic partnership, providing value both in-store and on the track. We look forward to seeing what we accomplish in the 2025 season!”
“Blue Buffalo is proud to partner with the Kroger Racing program and we look forward to this new chapter alongside RFK Racing,” said George DeGrella, Blue Buffalo Director for Grocery and Ecommerce. “The partnership allows us to share our mission of loving, feeding and treating all pets like family with the millions of NASCAR fans who are pet parents. Working alongside Kroger in this program also gives us the opportunity to join the motorsports industry in advancing philanthropic initiatives that are so important to our brand’s purpose.”
“We are thrilled to continue our strategic partnership with the Kroger Racing team,” said Brad Olsen, Vice President of Marketing, Tree Top. “This collaboration, along with the recent launch of our new online store, helps us to continue to expand Tree Top’s consumer reach and increase our brand presence nationwide. Together, we’ve enjoyed the sweetness of success both on and off the track, and we look forward to building on that momentum during the 2025 NASCAR Cup Series season.”
“Just like the passion and sense of community that racing fans share, pizza also has the power to spark togetherness and bring excitement to our lives,” said Roger Galloway, Senior Director of Brand Marketing for Schwan’s Consumer Brands. “At Red Baron®, we are the No. 1 frozen pizza in the U.S. for a reason. Our delicious pizzas, which include favorites like Classic Crust and Deep Dish Singles, are the perfect addition to any moment worth celebrating. We are thrilled to join Kroger in this partnership with NASCAR and be the go-to pizza for race day.”
“As a leading Brand in the allergy space, Allegra is committed to help allergy sufferers to live their life to the fullest and not let their allergies get in the way,” said Samuel Morisse, Allegra US Zone Brand Head. “Allegra not only delivers effective and fast relief but also leverages its unique Science to not affect the brain, leading to no sensation of drowsiness. This is why, Allegra is excited to partner with the Kroger Racing and the RFK Racing team this upcoming season. This partnership allows us to connect with NASCAR’s passionate fan base, drivers and demonstrate our commitment to helping people live their life free from allergies, so they can focus fully focus on the moments that matter, from cheering their favorite driver and teams in NASCAR.”
