RFK Racing is off to a hot start in the 2026 NASCAR season, with Brad Keselowski, Ryan Preece, and Chris Buescher all sitting comfortably in the top 13 of the points standings. But while the on-track action is exciting, a looming off-track drama could shake things up for one of these drivers. According to a recent report from The Athletic's Jordan Bianchi, all three drivers are set to become free agents at season's end—and RFK only has two chartered rides available for 2027.

Here's the rub: RFK has been leasing a third charter from Rick Ware Racing, but that deal expires after this season. With no other charters likely to hit the market, the team faces a tough decision. Some fans hoped Hyak Motorsports might sell a charter, but that possibility evaporated when the team locked Ricky Stenhouse Jr. into a multi-year extension. Meanwhile, Legacy Motor Club is adding a third charter for next season, and teams like Kaulig, Wood Brothers Racing, and Front Row Motorsports aren't planning to sell either.

So, who gets the two charter spots? Keselowski, a co-owner of RFK, has made it clear he plans to race full-time for several more seasons, so giving up his chartered status seems unlikely. Buescher, with his strong performances and deep ties to the team, is also a safe bet to lock down one of the two spots. That leaves Preece in a precarious position—but there's a silver lining.

Preece still has sponsorship backing from Kroger, which reportedly wants to stay with RFK. However, running an unchartered car could complicate negotiations. Without a charter, Preece would need to qualify for every race on speed alone. For most of the season, that's manageable, as fields often have fewer than 40 cars. But for marquee events like the Daytona 500 or the Coca-Cola 600, where entry lists can swell past 40, qualifying becomes a real challenge.

The financial hit is even steeper. Racing unchartered means smaller payouts per race, and NASCAR insiders estimate the No. 60 team could lose over $5 million annually. That's a tough pill to swallow for a team that's been performing so well. As the season heats up, all eyes will be on RFK's next move—and on Preece's future in the sport.