NASCAR Cup Series driver Brad Keselowski has opened up about the amount of control original equipment manufacturers enjoy in the sport since the introduction of the Next Gen car in 2022.
The RFK Racing driver highlighted the team’s excessive dependence on OEMs, even when it comes to testing their own cars. He also hinted at how this OEM approval system may be hindering teams seeking a competitive edge over their rivals.
Speaking on the Stacking Pennies podcast, Keselowski was asked if it was easier or harder to get the right tools when talking about the Next Gen car. He said:
“Right now, the OEMs have full control over all the major systems of data. If you want to put a car in the wind tunnel, you have to get OEM approval because they have a limited hour structure. If you want to test, the OEM has to pick who goes to the track test. You want data on how tires work to feed your simulation, it has to come through the OEM.
Ryan Blaney, driver of the #12 Menards/Libman Ford, leads the field during the NASCAR Cup Series Mobil 1 301 at New Hampshire Motor Speedway on September 21, 2025 in Loudon, New Hampshire.
Ryan Blaney, driver of the #12 Menards/Libman Ford, leads the field during the NASCAR Cup Series Mobil 1 301 at New Hampshire Motor Speedway on September 21, 2025 in Loudon, New Hampshire.
Meg Oliphant/Getty Images
“So, what you’re seeing is the sport has broke down into tier one, tier two, tier three, and tier four based solely on the OEM structure of any given team or organization. Before, the dynamics were such to where, you had practice, you had testing.
“If you didn’t get what you needed from an OEM, let’s maybe take Front Row for example, you would just spend the money, go testing, and figure it out on your own. You could still do that. You can’t do that anymore. The current structure has fixed Penske, Hendrick, and Gibbs as the tier one teams indefinitely. Um, and until that changes, the Next Gen is not going to be a success.”
The 41-year-old driver then explained about the current structure in place, and gave his solution to fix the problem. He added:
“Pick a team, like a Kaulig, they execute great on any given Sunday and have a shot to win. That’s probably not the case right now. In fact I would say that’s certainly not the case…the Next Gen, the goal is, if a driver runs a perfect race, pit crew runs a great race, the sky doesn’t fall on you. You should have an opportunity to win, and that’s not the way the current structure is set up.”
“The easy solution to that would be just to add more OEMs, so that all the teams have Tier 1 resources. That’s why you see NASCAR being so aggressive to do just that. It’s the high tide to raise all ships, whether that’s Chrysler, Dodge, or whether that’s Honda or pick your other OEM that is rumored on any given day to be joining. I think NASCAR is all hands on deck on just that, but right now the model’s stuck. Indefinitely would be the word.”
Related: Brad Keselowski Calls Out NASCAR Next Gen Car – ‘Have to Drive It Stupid’