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Brad Keselowski did not simply leave Phoenix Raceway <a href="https://vip2.altdriver.com/racing/the-big-one-strikes-during-cup-series-race-at-phoenix-chase-briscoe/">after a crash ended his race</a>. He climbed out of the No. 6 Ford Mustang Dark Horse and began rallying the troops.

RFK Racing posted a photo on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter, that showed the driver-owner surrounded by team members in the garage. The exact message remains unknown, but the team said Keselowski was reiterating that better days are ahead.

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"I told them I was really encouraged," Keselowski said, according to RFK Racing. "I love the way our cars are driving right now, and our potential is much higher."

The reason for the huddle is that the No. 6 team has dealt with adversity early this season. Keselowski has been involved in three incidents in four races and has finished 26th or worse three times. His best finish is 15th at Circuit of the Americas.

Keselowski and his team continue to seek their first top-10 finish of the season. They only have nine stage points, all from the season-opening Daytona 500. Keselowski is 33rd in points heading to Las Vegas Motor Speedway.

Sunday's race was an example of the adversity that Keselowski and his team have faced. He had worked his way from 20th to 15th early in the race but was collected when the Big One struck at the 1-mile track.

A large incident unfolded when Ty Gibbs, Justin Haley, Carson Hocevar, and Chase Briscoe were four-wide. These cars collided as both Briscoe and Hocevar caught air in their cars. This incident also collected Shane van Gisbergen, Keselowski, Riley Herbst, and Cole Custer, among others.

Keselowski took the No. 6 Ford to the garage, but the team could not make repairs. This incident ended his day and ensured that he would remain buried in the Cup Series standings.

"Tough start to the season, no doubt, but I love the way my cars drive and the speed we are showing in race trim," <a href="https://x.com/keselowski/status/1898851269634302048" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Keselowski posted on X.</a> "I believe we will put it (all together) and be stronger in weeks to come."

How will the team perform moving forward? Will rallying the troops work for Keselowski and RFK Racing? History indicates that they will get back into contention for wins.

Last season, Keselowski finished 33rd at Daytona and Atlanta. This kept him outside the top 30 in points, but the team rallied. He finished 13th, fourth, and third in the next three races. He also finished eighth at Richmond, second at Texas, and second at Talladega.

<a href="https://www.racing-reference.info/driver-season-stats/keselbr01/2024/W/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Keselowski finished 33rd at COTA</a>, 24th at Martinsville, and 30th at Dover, which halted his march up the Cup Series standings. But he broke through and won at Darlington in early May.

This was his first win of the Gen 7 era and his first with RFK Racing. It punched his ticket to the playoffs and ensured he would finish no worse than 16th in the standings.

Now that Keselowski is outside the top 30 once again, he and his team will have to rebound once again. They will attempt to start this process next weekend at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, where the 2012 Cup champion has three career wins.