Ryan Preece is set to adopt the historic No. 6 for the 2027 NASCAR Cup season, succeeding Brad Keselowski, who is exiting the team.
Preece joined RFK Racing at the start of the 2025 season, piloting the No. 60 Ford. He captured a notable victory at the Bowman Gray Clash exhibition and later secured his first points‑paying win at the Daytona cutoff race, propelling him into the Chase. He is also the first driver to win a Cup race in the No. 60 since Bill Rexford’s 1950 triumph.
Nevertheless, Preece will assume the No. 6 in 2027. After Keselowski’s five‑year tenure as co‑owner and driver of the No. 6 concludes, Preece will inherit the storied number. The No. 60 operates under a lease; it may become charter‑free for the upcoming season unless a new arrangement is negotiated.
“I dislike losing more than I cherish winning, and those who have been with me from the start understand that,” Preece said in an RFK Racing video. “I’ve experienced many great moments with this number and look forward to creating many more. My intention is to build on this legacy by doing exactly what we did with the 60 — winning. I won’t cut corners, and I won’t settle for anything less than success.”
The No. 6 represents the team’s original number, boasting more than 30 Cup victories. It was driven by Martin from 1988 to 2006, then by David Ragan from 2007 to 2011, after which the car was without a full‑time driver until Trevor Bayne assumed the role in 2015. Ryan Newman took the wheel full‑time in 2019, and Brad Keselowski joined in 2022.
Martin said, “I respect Ryan Preece because he is a true racer. He earned his success through hard work and perseverance. When he’s behind the wheel, he gives everything he has and isn’t content with merely cruising. The No. 6 holds great significance for me, and I believe Ryan is an excellent choice to carry that legacy forward.”
Preece’s history with the No. 6 extends to more than a dozen victories in NASCAR Modified competition.
“I drove the No. 6 for Ed Partridge, who was not only my car owner but also a close friend,” Preece recalled. “He believed in me and helped fund a life‑changing opportunity. We captured our final Whelen Modified Tour win together at Richmond in 2021. The number 6 feels like home because it symbolizes the people who supported me, the relationships I’ve forged, and the memories that have shaped my journey. Having the chance to carry that number into the next phase of my career means more than words can express.”
