Brad Keselowski started the 2026 NASCAR Cup Series season on a high note after recovering from a broken femur.

He missed the preseason Clash but returned for NASCAR’s biggest race, the Daytona 500, and earned a fifth-place finish.

What happened?

Keselowski's season took a turn for the worse in recent weeks, with him set to finish 30th or worse in five of his last seven NASCAR Cup Series races.

He sat ninth in the standings just a few weeks ago, but now he's fighting to stay above the postseason cut line.

Why it matters for Brad Keselowski

The change has been sudden and dramatic, with Keselowski's No. 6 team repeatedly finding itself caught up in accidents and disappointing finishes.

Chris Knight noted that Keselowski's recent performances have been particularly frustrating, given that they haven't been driven by a lack of speed.

Bob Pockrass pointed out that Keselowski did not record a DNF in his first 13 races of the season, but over the last three weeks, his races have ended early due to accidents.

What comes next?

The recent stretch has wiped away much of the cushion Keselowski spent months building, and he's now facing a tough challenge to keep his season on track.

Sunday's race at Pocono Raceway only added to Keselowski's growing concerns, with an accident ending his day early and sending him tumbling further down the standings.

By the end of the race, Keselowski had fallen to the postseason cut line in the live standings, a stunning position for a driver who looked secure just a few weeks ago.

The downturn has also changed the outlook for RFK Racing, with every point mattering as the regular season continues to wind down.

Keselowski's fight to stop a late-season spiral will be crucial in determining the outcome of his season, and he'll need to bounce back quickly to keep his championship hopes alive.

The difficult part for Keselowski is that the season was supposed to be a story about perseverance, but now it's about stopping a slide before it turns a remarkable comeback season into one of NASCAR's biggest missed opportunities.

Keselowski will need to draw on all his experience and skill to turn his season around and make a push for the playoffs, and his next few races will be crucial in determining his fate