Brad Keselowski’s Chase hopes take a major hit ahead of the Daytona Cup Series race

Brad Keselowski’s weekend at Daytona International Speedway hit an early hurdle before Saturday night’s regular-season finale even took the green flag. The driver and co-owner of Roush Fenway Keselowski (RFK) Racing saw his No. 6 Ford Mustang fail pre-race technical inspection twice at Daytona.

While the car ultimately passed on its third attempt, avoiding a pass-through penalty or a start from the rear, the dual failures triggered automatic NASCAR penalties, including the ejection of car chief Jonathan Ellis for the remainder of the weekend and the forfeiture of the team’s pit stall selection rights.

In a post on X, reporter Bob Pockrass wrote:

“Brad Keselowski’s car failed twice in tech today and passed on the third try. Car chief ejected and lost pit selection. His car was the only one that didn’t pass on the first two tries.”

Entering the Coke Zero Sugar 400, Keselowski finds himself 66 points below the playoff cutline. Sitting far outside the points bubble, the 2012 NASCAR Cup Series champion enters Daytona in a true “must-win” position to punch his ticket into the 16-driver postseason grid.

Despite the inspection setback, Keselowski posted a solid single-lap effort during qualifying, steering the No. 6 Ford to the 21st starting position.

Brad Keselowski needs a “miracle” for Chase push ahead of Daytona race

As the NASCAR Cup Series regular season reaches its boiling point at Daytona International Speedway, Brad Keselowski is keeping his expectations strictly realistic. Sitting 66 points below the playoff cutline and facing a steep hill, the 2012 Cup Series champion admitted that his personal postseason hopes rest on a prayer.

Keselowski said:

“My car needs like a miracle.”

Preece, who pilots the No. 60 Ford Mustang Dark Horse for RFK Racing, enters Saturday night’s 400-mile cutoff race squarely in the battle for one of the final three remaining playoff spots.

“We’re paying a lot of attention to that,” Keselowski said of Preece’s playoff positioning.

The driver and co-owner of Roush Fenway Keselowski Racing is approaching the Coke Zero Sugar 400 with a broader organizational view. With RFK teammate Chris Buescher already locked into the postseason, Keselowski’s main operational priority is helping Ryan Preece seal the deal.