Debbie Powers
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Brad Keselowski Brings Christmas to Phoenix, But Didn't Get a Present
November 10, 2019
Brad Keselowski's No. 2 Miller Lite Knitwear Ford Mustang was a bow to the upcoming holiday season, but the driver didn't find Christmas magic at ISM.
Starting 12th in Sunday's Bluegreen Vacations 500 in Phoenix, Keselowski finished 10th, claiming his 19th top-10 finish of the 2019 season, it was also his 10th at that track.
Keselowski ran 11th for much of the first stage, and crew chief Paul Wolfe elected to keep his driver out on the first caution on lap 68, allowing Keselowski to take the lead lap 70 and score a sixth-place finish on lap 75 when the stage ended. Pitting on lap 79 for four tires and air pressure adjustment, he was in 17th position when the race restarted on lap 82.
Keselowski scored a ninth-place finish in Stage 2 after a caution-free segment. Running comparable lap times to the leaders, he lacked position that would have allowed him to contend. The stage caution saw him come to pit road for four tires and he started in the 10th position when the race went green on lap 159.
The No. 2 Ford Mustang driver made his way up to seventh place as green flag pit stops started on lap 240. On lap 246, he stopped for four tires and after returning to the track, told his team he thought he was down a cylinder. As the race continued, he also thought he might have a loose plug wire.
Even though he was experiencing a loss of power, Keselowski remained among the top 10. Eventually the lap times between those he was racing and himself smoothed out and he kept pace.
Keselowski managed to get through the chaotic fifth and final caution on lap 304, and with four laps to go on the restart, and the cars running three-wide, was able to claim a top-10 finish.
"I don't know if I had anything for the 11 (Denny Hamlin) or 18 (Kyle Busch). I didn't really get a chance to run around them on equal tires, but I felt like we were a top three or four car at least and lost a cylinder at the end. I felt lucky to bring home 10th. The tracks where tires fall off and the short tracks the Gibbs cars have been lights out, so we certainly have some room to be better and hopefully we can show it at Homestead," Keselowski commented after the race.
Homestead-Miami
The Team Penske driver has two Cup Series top 10s and three top 5s at Homestead since he joined the team in 2009. His best finishes were in November of 2014 and 2015, crossing the start-finish line in third place.
Catch Keselowski in his final race of the 2019 season on Sunday, on NBC, at 3 pm (ET). Qualifying is scheduled for Saturday at 2:05 pm (ET).
Don't forget to check out Keselowski's Checkered Flag Foundation, established in 2010, to "honor and assist those who have sacrificed greatly for our country!" You can find more information here.
The Foundation has partnered with Autotrader to honor veterans in 2020, with the return of the "Tribute 2 Veterans," which will honor America's heroes during a 2020 race weekend.
Read more about how you can submit a veteran's name to be featured on the No. 2 Autotrader Ford Mustang that Brad will drive at Atlanta Motor Speedway during the March 2020 race weekend on the Foundation's website. Submissions will be accepted through Tuesday, December 31, 2019.
The Foundation has supported over 250 organizations and individuals supporting veterans and first responders during their road to recovery since its inception in 2010.
Each year on Memorial Day weekend, Keselowski's car carries the name of a fallen service member for the Coca-Cola 600. The honoree's family is invited to the race and are included in several activities honoring their loved one.
Whether you're a Keselowski fan or not, you have to admire how he and his wife Paige give back in amazing ways. Now let's see if he can wave that checkered flag in Miami.
Follow and chat with me: @DebbiePowers11
SHOP HERE for NASCAR gear!!
November 10, 2019
Brad Keselowski's No. 2 Miller Lite Knitwear Ford Mustang was a bow to the upcoming holiday season, but the driver didn't find Christmas magic at ISM.
Starting 12th in Sunday's Bluegreen Vacations 500 in Phoenix, Keselowski finished 10th, claiming his 19th top-10 finish of the 2019 season, it was also his 10th at that track.
Keselowski ran 11th for much of the first stage, and crew chief Paul Wolfe elected to keep his driver out on the first caution on lap 68, allowing Keselowski to take the lead lap 70 and score a sixth-place finish on lap 75 when the stage ended. Pitting on lap 79 for four tires and air pressure adjustment, he was in 17th position when the race restarted on lap 82.
Keselowski scored a ninth-place finish in Stage 2 after a caution-free segment. Running comparable lap times to the leaders, he lacked position that would have allowed him to contend. The stage caution saw him come to pit road for four tires and he started in the 10th position when the race went green on lap 159.
The No. 2 Ford Mustang driver made his way up to seventh place as green flag pit stops started on lap 240. On lap 246, he stopped for four tires and after returning to the track, told his team he thought he was down a cylinder. As the race continued, he also thought he might have a loose plug wire.
Even though he was experiencing a loss of power, Keselowski remained among the top 10. Eventually the lap times between those he was racing and himself smoothed out and he kept pace.
Keselowski managed to get through the chaotic fifth and final caution on lap 304, and with four laps to go on the restart, and the cars running three-wide, was able to claim a top-10 finish.
"I don't know if I had anything for the 11 (Denny Hamlin) or 18 (Kyle Busch). I didn't really get a chance to run around them on equal tires, but I felt like we were a top three or four car at least and lost a cylinder at the end. I felt lucky to bring home 10th. The tracks where tires fall off and the short tracks the Gibbs cars have been lights out, so we certainly have some room to be better and hopefully we can show it at Homestead," Keselowski commented after the race.
Homestead-Miami
The Team Penske driver has two Cup Series top 10s and three top 5s at Homestead since he joined the team in 2009. His best finishes were in November of 2014 and 2015, crossing the start-finish line in third place.
Catch Keselowski in his final race of the 2019 season on Sunday, on NBC, at 3 pm (ET). Qualifying is scheduled for Saturday at 2:05 pm (ET).
Don't forget to check out Keselowski's Checkered Flag Foundation, established in 2010, to "honor and assist those who have sacrificed greatly for our country!" You can find more information here.
The Foundation has partnered with Autotrader to honor veterans in 2020, with the return of the "Tribute 2 Veterans," which will honor America's heroes during a 2020 race weekend.
Read more about how you can submit a veteran's name to be featured on the No. 2 Autotrader Ford Mustang that Brad will drive at Atlanta Motor Speedway during the March 2020 race weekend on the Foundation's website. Submissions will be accepted through Tuesday, December 31, 2019.
The Foundation has supported over 250 organizations and individuals supporting veterans and first responders during their road to recovery since its inception in 2010.
Each year on Memorial Day weekend, Keselowski's car carries the name of a fallen service member for the Coca-Cola 600. The honoree's family is invited to the race and are included in several activities honoring their loved one.
Whether you're a Keselowski fan or not, you have to admire how he and his wife Paige give back in amazing ways. Now let's see if he can wave that checkered flag in Miami.
Follow and chat with me: @DebbiePowers11
SHOP HERE for NASCAR gear!!
Image: License Plate Merry
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Image: Kim Pennington
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Image: #powerpics
Brad Keselowski's day ends early in Texas and Christmas comes early in Phoenix
November 3, 2019
Brad Keselowski qualified 8th at Texas Motor Speedway but the position did nothing for him after a mistake ended his race in 39th position.
Keselowski reported to crew chief Paul Wolfe early in the opening laps that he was too loose on corner entry but was happy with the rest of the handling on the No.2 Wurth Ford Mustang.
Keselowski cycled to fifth position after a four-tire pit stop made amid early cautions; with handling still an issue, the Team Penske driver did all he could to maintain track position but kept dropping through the field.
Making the decision to try the higher groove in turns 3 and 4, Keseloski made hard contact with the outside wall due to the traction compound not having yet activated to improve grip level.
The accident ended his day unfortunately...
Afterwards, Keselowski said, "I just busted my butt. I feel terrible for Ricky (Stenhouse, Jr), he didn't deserve to get caught up in it. I was just real loose and trying to make something happen. When you are getting passed by other cars you kind of lose your confidence and you try something, I knew better. My butt told me I would wreck if I do that. I was getting passed and swung for the fence and I hit it. It just sucks. I am kind of embarrassed to do that. I was just trying to make something happen for this Wurth team and swung too hard."
The No. 2 Miller Lite Ford Mustang will be decked out for Christmas in Phoenix - Will the team get an early gift with a win? Tune in on Sunday on NBC to find out!
Follow and chat with me: @DebbiePowers11
SHOP HERE for NASCAR gear!!
November 3, 2019
Brad Keselowski qualified 8th at Texas Motor Speedway but the position did nothing for him after a mistake ended his race in 39th position.
Keselowski reported to crew chief Paul Wolfe early in the opening laps that he was too loose on corner entry but was happy with the rest of the handling on the No.2 Wurth Ford Mustang.
Keselowski cycled to fifth position after a four-tire pit stop made amid early cautions; with handling still an issue, the Team Penske driver did all he could to maintain track position but kept dropping through the field.
Making the decision to try the higher groove in turns 3 and 4, Keseloski made hard contact with the outside wall due to the traction compound not having yet activated to improve grip level.
The accident ended his day unfortunately...
Afterwards, Keselowski said, "I just busted my butt. I feel terrible for Ricky (Stenhouse, Jr), he didn't deserve to get caught up in it. I was just real loose and trying to make something happen. When you are getting passed by other cars you kind of lose your confidence and you try something, I knew better. My butt told me I would wreck if I do that. I was getting passed and swung for the fence and I hit it. It just sucks. I am kind of embarrassed to do that. I was just trying to make something happen for this Wurth team and swung too hard."
The No. 2 Miller Lite Ford Mustang will be decked out for Christmas in Phoenix - Will the team get an early gift with a win? Tune in on Sunday on NBC to find out!
Follow and chat with me: @DebbiePowers11
SHOP HERE for NASCAR gear!!
Texas. Image: License Plate Merry
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Christmas car, Phoenix. Image: #powerpics
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Brad Keselowski Looking to Spoil the Party?
Wins Are Still Out There, Even Out of the Round of 8
October 27, 2019
Brad Keselowski isn't giving up his desire to win races just because he did not make the Round of 8.
Keselowski started 15th in Martinsville for the First Data 500 and proved he is still all about being competitive, holding off Denny Hamlin in the closing laps to bring the No. 2 Ford Mustang home in third place at the finish.
Keselowski now has 13 top-five finishes in the 2019 season and nine top-five finishes in 20 starts at Martinsville. He currently sits ninth in the NASCAR Cup Series point standings, 38 points ahead of 10th place William Byron.
Keselowski struggled with the balance of the Alliance Truck Parts Ford Mustang during Stage 1 in Martinsville, losing time through the center of the corners and being too tight two-thirds of the way through the corner. When the stage ended on lap 130, he scored a 15th-place finish, and pitted during the stage caution for four tires and air pressure adjustments, restarting 14th when the race went green on lap 139.
The balance on the No. 2 Mustang began to improve as he ran laps and the Team Penske driver said he was turning better in both corners. Climbing back into the top 10 by lap 184, even after contact with Jimmie Johnson when they were leaving the pits under caution on lap 180, Keselowski was running eighth as Stage 2 wound to completion. The fourth caution, on lap 253, slowed the pace, seven laps from the end of the segment.
Crew Chief Paul Wolfe called Keselowski to pit lane during the yellow, for four tires and air pressure adjustments.
Restarting 10th on lap 257, Keselowski held that position during the next three laps and didn't pit during the stage caution, restarting ninth when the race went green on lap 268.
The Ford Mustang improved during Stage 3 and Keselowski worked his way up on the leaderboard, noting the No. 2 was turning better as track conditions cooled with the setting sun.
Up to eighth place when he pitted under caution on lap 348, the balance improved again during his next run. He was in sixth when the ninth caution came on lap 450, setting up the final round of stops. The 2 crew gave the car four tires and added a piece of tape to the nose of the No. 2, and Keselowski restarted sixth on lap 455.
Giving the Alliance Truck Parts Ford Mustang one final push to the front, Keselowski had a close call with Penske teammate Ryan Blaney and Blaney blocked Keselowski as they raced for third on lap 468 with Keselowski nudging Blaney out of the way in Turn 1. On the next corner, Keselowski got loose and Blaney was able to make a clean pass for position. Keselowski made his final pass on lap 481 past Blaney and held off Hamlin to claim his top-five finish.
Asked for his take on the race afterwards, Keselowski commented, "I think that's about all we had or maybe a little more than what we had. We just kind of kept our head on our shoulders all day and made the most of what we had. I was proud of our Alliance Truck Parts team for that effort. It was tough to pass. When you get behind somebody that you are way faster than, that big spoiler would just kill you. It was a good day for us. I had somebody right on my butt and Blaney came down to block and I couldn't let him in, and I about spun him out. And then I got to the other end and I about spun out and I was like, "Just go, Blaney. I about spun you out last time." My car ran better behind other cars, so that was it."
Texas
Keselowski will be driving the red/black/white No. 2 Wurth Ford Mustang this weekend for the AAA Texas 500 and will go out 38th for qualifying on Saturday (one of my favorites of his paint schemes).
DID YOU KNOW? The first Cup start for Keselowski at Team Penske was in the 2009 Fall race at Texas.
Watch Keselowski remind everyone he's still in it to win it on Sunday at 3:00 pm (ET) on NBCSN or follow along on Twitter, PRN, or SiriusXM Ch. 90.
Follow and chat with me: @DebbiePowers11
SHOP HERE for NASCAR gear!!
Wins Are Still Out There, Even Out of the Round of 8
October 27, 2019
Brad Keselowski isn't giving up his desire to win races just because he did not make the Round of 8.
Keselowski started 15th in Martinsville for the First Data 500 and proved he is still all about being competitive, holding off Denny Hamlin in the closing laps to bring the No. 2 Ford Mustang home in third place at the finish.
Keselowski now has 13 top-five finishes in the 2019 season and nine top-five finishes in 20 starts at Martinsville. He currently sits ninth in the NASCAR Cup Series point standings, 38 points ahead of 10th place William Byron.
Keselowski struggled with the balance of the Alliance Truck Parts Ford Mustang during Stage 1 in Martinsville, losing time through the center of the corners and being too tight two-thirds of the way through the corner. When the stage ended on lap 130, he scored a 15th-place finish, and pitted during the stage caution for four tires and air pressure adjustments, restarting 14th when the race went green on lap 139.
The balance on the No. 2 Mustang began to improve as he ran laps and the Team Penske driver said he was turning better in both corners. Climbing back into the top 10 by lap 184, even after contact with Jimmie Johnson when they were leaving the pits under caution on lap 180, Keselowski was running eighth as Stage 2 wound to completion. The fourth caution, on lap 253, slowed the pace, seven laps from the end of the segment.
Crew Chief Paul Wolfe called Keselowski to pit lane during the yellow, for four tires and air pressure adjustments.
Restarting 10th on lap 257, Keselowski held that position during the next three laps and didn't pit during the stage caution, restarting ninth when the race went green on lap 268.
The Ford Mustang improved during Stage 3 and Keselowski worked his way up on the leaderboard, noting the No. 2 was turning better as track conditions cooled with the setting sun.
Up to eighth place when he pitted under caution on lap 348, the balance improved again during his next run. He was in sixth when the ninth caution came on lap 450, setting up the final round of stops. The 2 crew gave the car four tires and added a piece of tape to the nose of the No. 2, and Keselowski restarted sixth on lap 455.
Giving the Alliance Truck Parts Ford Mustang one final push to the front, Keselowski had a close call with Penske teammate Ryan Blaney and Blaney blocked Keselowski as they raced for third on lap 468 with Keselowski nudging Blaney out of the way in Turn 1. On the next corner, Keselowski got loose and Blaney was able to make a clean pass for position. Keselowski made his final pass on lap 481 past Blaney and held off Hamlin to claim his top-five finish.
Asked for his take on the race afterwards, Keselowski commented, "I think that's about all we had or maybe a little more than what we had. We just kind of kept our head on our shoulders all day and made the most of what we had. I was proud of our Alliance Truck Parts team for that effort. It was tough to pass. When you get behind somebody that you are way faster than, that big spoiler would just kill you. It was a good day for us. I had somebody right on my butt and Blaney came down to block and I couldn't let him in, and I about spun him out. And then I got to the other end and I about spun out and I was like, "Just go, Blaney. I about spun you out last time." My car ran better behind other cars, so that was it."
Texas
Keselowski will be driving the red/black/white No. 2 Wurth Ford Mustang this weekend for the AAA Texas 500 and will go out 38th for qualifying on Saturday (one of my favorites of his paint schemes).
DID YOU KNOW? The first Cup start for Keselowski at Team Penske was in the 2009 Fall race at Texas.
Watch Keselowski remind everyone he's still in it to win it on Sunday at 3:00 pm (ET) on NBCSN or follow along on Twitter, PRN, or SiriusXM Ch. 90.
Follow and chat with me: @DebbiePowers11
SHOP HERE for NASCAR gear!!
Keselowski at Martinsville. Image: Brian Johnson
Martinsville. Image: Brian Johnson
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Texas. Image: #powerpics
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Disappointing Day for Keselowski and Fans as No. 2 Driver Out of MENCS Playoffs Contention
October 20, 2019
Qualifying fourth, Brad Keselowski seemed to be all set to make the Round of 8 in the Land of Oz, but try as he might, the Team Penske driver didn't make the cut on Sunday in the Hollywood Casino 400.
Keselowski ran well in Stage 1, but as the first segment came to an end, he found himself in a Ford Mustang that was free on corner entry and tight on exit. Ninth when the first caution came out on lap 76, Keselowski pitted one lap later for fuel and tires, and with a good restart on lap 78, ended up sixth when the stage concluded.
Crew Chief Paul Wolfe made the call for the No. 2 driver to stay on the track during the caution, allowing Keselowski to restart fourth when the race resumed on lap 86.
Noting his car was still free on both ends on the track, and that it felt like it was sliding the right-rear through the corners, Keselowski was ninth when the third caution came out on lap 117. This allowed him to pit for four tires and additional adjustments. Recovering, he still had his hands full as the No. 2 Ford's balance swung to being too tight in the center of the corners. Stage 2 found the driver in 16th place at its finish on lap 160, when he again pitted for four tires as well as tape on the nose. He restarted 14th when Stage 3 went green on lap 166.
With it becoming clear that the final transfer spot into the Round of 8 would come down to Keselowski and Chase Elliott, laps fell away and Keselowski reported his car was jumping between "super-loose and super-tight" as he found himself stuck back in 16th position. Elliott ran just inside the top 10, yet still trailed Keselowski by a few points.
On a scheduled stop under green on lap 216, Keselowski took four tires and a track bar adjustment on the No. 2 Ford Mustang, but fell a lap down to the leaders, although on lap 254, with a caution for debris, he was able to take the wave-around and get back on the lead lap. Restarting 19th on lap 258, he was still three points ahead of Elliott.
An accident on the backstretch brought out the sixth caution of the day, and Keselowski pitted for four tires one lap later, restarting 15th in NASCAR overtime. Running 13th and still three points ahead of Elliott, yet another caution flag waved on lap 271, a split-second before race leader Denny Hamlin crossed the finish line, setting up another restart and dash to the finish.
This time Keselowski took the green flag in 13th place, but nothing appeared to go his way. To the middle at the entrance to Turn 1, he was promptly boxed-in by heavy traffic. Just moments later he and Ricky Stenhouse, Jr. rubbed fenders and on the final lap, Keselowski bounced off the wall in Turn 2 trying to find a way through traffic on the outside. Unfortunately, he crossed the finish line 19th, and Elliott finished second, knocking Keselowski out of advancing in the playoffs.
Obviously disappointed, Keselowski remarked, "We didn't make it. I pushed as hard as I knew how and didn't do quite good enough on the last restart and that was it. We clawed as hard as we could and there were times it looked like we were going to be fine and times it didn't. In the end it didn't work out."
This is not to say the No. 2 Team Penske driver is giving up. There are still races to win this season!
Next up is Martinsville, a track Keslowski is really good at. The Team Penske driver has two wins, one in March of this year and in April of 2017. He also has six top 5s, and six top 10s. He's qualified as high as third and has no DNFs. He led 116 laps in March.
Catch Keselowski giving it his all for the win at the Half Mile of Mayhem on Sunday at 3 pm (ET) on NBCSN or the NBC Sports App.
Follow and chat with me: @DebbiePowers11
SHOP HERE for 2019 NASCAR gear!!
October 20, 2019
Qualifying fourth, Brad Keselowski seemed to be all set to make the Round of 8 in the Land of Oz, but try as he might, the Team Penske driver didn't make the cut on Sunday in the Hollywood Casino 400.
Keselowski ran well in Stage 1, but as the first segment came to an end, he found himself in a Ford Mustang that was free on corner entry and tight on exit. Ninth when the first caution came out on lap 76, Keselowski pitted one lap later for fuel and tires, and with a good restart on lap 78, ended up sixth when the stage concluded.
Crew Chief Paul Wolfe made the call for the No. 2 driver to stay on the track during the caution, allowing Keselowski to restart fourth when the race resumed on lap 86.
Noting his car was still free on both ends on the track, and that it felt like it was sliding the right-rear through the corners, Keselowski was ninth when the third caution came out on lap 117. This allowed him to pit for four tires and additional adjustments. Recovering, he still had his hands full as the No. 2 Ford's balance swung to being too tight in the center of the corners. Stage 2 found the driver in 16th place at its finish on lap 160, when he again pitted for four tires as well as tape on the nose. He restarted 14th when Stage 3 went green on lap 166.
With it becoming clear that the final transfer spot into the Round of 8 would come down to Keselowski and Chase Elliott, laps fell away and Keselowski reported his car was jumping between "super-loose and super-tight" as he found himself stuck back in 16th position. Elliott ran just inside the top 10, yet still trailed Keselowski by a few points.
On a scheduled stop under green on lap 216, Keselowski took four tires and a track bar adjustment on the No. 2 Ford Mustang, but fell a lap down to the leaders, although on lap 254, with a caution for debris, he was able to take the wave-around and get back on the lead lap. Restarting 19th on lap 258, he was still three points ahead of Elliott.
An accident on the backstretch brought out the sixth caution of the day, and Keselowski pitted for four tires one lap later, restarting 15th in NASCAR overtime. Running 13th and still three points ahead of Elliott, yet another caution flag waved on lap 271, a split-second before race leader Denny Hamlin crossed the finish line, setting up another restart and dash to the finish.
This time Keselowski took the green flag in 13th place, but nothing appeared to go his way. To the middle at the entrance to Turn 1, he was promptly boxed-in by heavy traffic. Just moments later he and Ricky Stenhouse, Jr. rubbed fenders and on the final lap, Keselowski bounced off the wall in Turn 2 trying to find a way through traffic on the outside. Unfortunately, he crossed the finish line 19th, and Elliott finished second, knocking Keselowski out of advancing in the playoffs.
Obviously disappointed, Keselowski remarked, "We didn't make it. I pushed as hard as I knew how and didn't do quite good enough on the last restart and that was it. We clawed as hard as we could and there were times it looked like we were going to be fine and times it didn't. In the end it didn't work out."
This is not to say the No. 2 Team Penske driver is giving up. There are still races to win this season!
Next up is Martinsville, a track Keslowski is really good at. The Team Penske driver has two wins, one in March of this year and in April of 2017. He also has six top 5s, and six top 10s. He's qualified as high as third and has no DNFs. He led 116 laps in March.
Catch Keselowski giving it his all for the win at the Half Mile of Mayhem on Sunday at 3 pm (ET) on NBCSN or the NBC Sports App.
Follow and chat with me: @DebbiePowers11
SHOP HERE for 2019 NASCAR gear!!
Image: #powerpics
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Image: License Plate Merry
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Image: Kim Pennington
Sidelined by Accident, Brad Keselowski Brings Home the No. 2 Miller Lite Ford in 25th Place in Talladega
October 13, 2019
Six laps from the finish of the 1000Bulbs.com 500 race at Talladega Superspeedway on Monday, Brad Keselowski found himself the victim of an accident after leading six times for 22 laps. Keselowski is now fifth in the NASCAR Cup Series point standings, 36 points behind leader Denny Hamlin, and 20 points ahead of the eighth-place cutoff position.
After qualifying the Miller Lite Ford Mustang sixth on Saturday, Keselowski grabbed the lead on lap 2 of Stage 1 in the 188-lap race on Sunday. Squeezed out of line on lap 19, he fell back in the lead pack.
Keselowski took fuel-only under green on lap 36 and caught a lucky break when the first caution flag waved just two laps later, moving him into the lead. When the race went green on lap 40, Keselowski faced intense three-wide racing in the lead pack as drivers fought for all-important stage points. He finished fifth when the segment ended on lap 55.
During the stage caution, heavy rain began to fall steadily and the decision to stop the race was made and ended the day's competition on lap 57.
Monday found Keselowski with an engine that wouldn't fire until he received a push midway down the backstretch, and this resulted in him shuffling back to 24th position when the race went green on lap 62.
Working his way forward through traffic, Keselowski grabbed the lead on lap 84, thanks to a push from teammate Joey Logano.
Leading when he made a scheduled pit stop on lap 93 for fuel-only, when the green flag sequence concluded, he was third. He went back and forth near the front of the lead pack as laps wound down in Stage 2.
When the third caution on lap 108 occurred, forcing the stage to end under yellow, Keselowski was in third place. He made a four-tire stop on lap 112 and the No. 2 crew was strong, moving their driver into the lead for the restart on lap 116.
Running sixth when a caution for debris on lap 133 came out, Crew Chief Paul Wolfe called Keselowski to pit road for four tires and the No. 2 Team Penske driver restarted in 11th when the race went green again on lap 137. Caught up in traffic, Keseloski was 19th when the sixth caution slowed things down on lap 154. He pitted for four tires on lap 155 and stopped on lap 156 to top off the fuel tank before restarting 21st on lap 157.
Up to 12th position by lap 164, Keselowski barely avoided an eight-car accident on the backstretch, and lined up seventh when the race resumed on lap 169.
On lap 181, Keselowski was heading towards the front in the outside lane behind Brendan Gaughan, fifth, barreling to the front down the backstretch, he was pinned against the outside wall when Kyle Busch swerved to the right, triggering an accident that collected 11 cars. Getting the car back to pit road, the No. 2 team changed tires and cleared sheet metal enough so that he could complete one more lap, moving him up an additional position in the final rundown.
"I got wrecked, but I haven't seen the replay. We were about to take the lead. I was pushing Brendan Gaughan and was really excited about how it was looking there for a minute and it just didn't work out."
Kansas
Keselowski won the spring race this year in Kansas, and in June of 2011. He has one pole, in October of 2015, along with two top fives, and six top tens at the 1.5 mile track. Look for him to know his way around the track!
Want to meet the No. 2 Team Penske driver? You'll have two chances in Kansas this weekend. On October 18th, Brad will be at Discount Tire, 12203 S. Strang Line Rd, Olathe, KS 66062 at 11:30 am, for an autograph session, limited to the first 100 fans with wristbands.
On October 19th, you can find the Team Penske driver at Turn 2 Sports Bar and Restaurant at 777 Hollywood Casino Blvd, Kansas City, KS 66111 at 4:30 pm, for another autograph session, also limited to the first 100 fans with wristbands; NOTE: Fans are permitted to bring no more than two (2) items each.
Follow and chat with me: @DebbiePowers11
SHOP HERE for 2019 NASCAR gear!!
October 13, 2019
Six laps from the finish of the 1000Bulbs.com 500 race at Talladega Superspeedway on Monday, Brad Keselowski found himself the victim of an accident after leading six times for 22 laps. Keselowski is now fifth in the NASCAR Cup Series point standings, 36 points behind leader Denny Hamlin, and 20 points ahead of the eighth-place cutoff position.
After qualifying the Miller Lite Ford Mustang sixth on Saturday, Keselowski grabbed the lead on lap 2 of Stage 1 in the 188-lap race on Sunday. Squeezed out of line on lap 19, he fell back in the lead pack.
Keselowski took fuel-only under green on lap 36 and caught a lucky break when the first caution flag waved just two laps later, moving him into the lead. When the race went green on lap 40, Keselowski faced intense three-wide racing in the lead pack as drivers fought for all-important stage points. He finished fifth when the segment ended on lap 55.
During the stage caution, heavy rain began to fall steadily and the decision to stop the race was made and ended the day's competition on lap 57.
Monday found Keselowski with an engine that wouldn't fire until he received a push midway down the backstretch, and this resulted in him shuffling back to 24th position when the race went green on lap 62.
Working his way forward through traffic, Keselowski grabbed the lead on lap 84, thanks to a push from teammate Joey Logano.
Leading when he made a scheduled pit stop on lap 93 for fuel-only, when the green flag sequence concluded, he was third. He went back and forth near the front of the lead pack as laps wound down in Stage 2.
When the third caution on lap 108 occurred, forcing the stage to end under yellow, Keselowski was in third place. He made a four-tire stop on lap 112 and the No. 2 crew was strong, moving their driver into the lead for the restart on lap 116.
Running sixth when a caution for debris on lap 133 came out, Crew Chief Paul Wolfe called Keselowski to pit road for four tires and the No. 2 Team Penske driver restarted in 11th when the race went green again on lap 137. Caught up in traffic, Keseloski was 19th when the sixth caution slowed things down on lap 154. He pitted for four tires on lap 155 and stopped on lap 156 to top off the fuel tank before restarting 21st on lap 157.
Up to 12th position by lap 164, Keselowski barely avoided an eight-car accident on the backstretch, and lined up seventh when the race resumed on lap 169.
On lap 181, Keselowski was heading towards the front in the outside lane behind Brendan Gaughan, fifth, barreling to the front down the backstretch, he was pinned against the outside wall when Kyle Busch swerved to the right, triggering an accident that collected 11 cars. Getting the car back to pit road, the No. 2 team changed tires and cleared sheet metal enough so that he could complete one more lap, moving him up an additional position in the final rundown.
"I got wrecked, but I haven't seen the replay. We were about to take the lead. I was pushing Brendan Gaughan and was really excited about how it was looking there for a minute and it just didn't work out."
Kansas
Keselowski won the spring race this year in Kansas, and in June of 2011. He has one pole, in October of 2015, along with two top fives, and six top tens at the 1.5 mile track. Look for him to know his way around the track!
Want to meet the No. 2 Team Penske driver? You'll have two chances in Kansas this weekend. On October 18th, Brad will be at Discount Tire, 12203 S. Strang Line Rd, Olathe, KS 66062 at 11:30 am, for an autograph session, limited to the first 100 fans with wristbands.
On October 19th, you can find the Team Penske driver at Turn 2 Sports Bar and Restaurant at 777 Hollywood Casino Blvd, Kansas City, KS 66111 at 4:30 pm, for another autograph session, also limited to the first 100 fans with wristbands; NOTE: Fans are permitted to bring no more than two (2) items each.
Follow and chat with me: @DebbiePowers11
SHOP HERE for 2019 NASCAR gear!!
Image: License Plate Merry
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Image: #powerpics
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Image: License Plate Merry
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Image: License Plate Merry
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Sixth in Points, Keselowski Had an "Okay Day" in Dover
October 6, 2019
Brad Keselowski qualified the No. 2 Wurth Ford Mustang 16th at the Monster Mile and finished in 11th position, 43 points behind leader Martin Truex, Jr., and 20th ahead of the eighth-place cutoff position.
Keselowski spent a lot of Stage 1 of the Drydene 400 just outside the top 10, fighting tight handling in the initial run. He pitted under green on lap 78 for four tires and air pressure adjustments, which improved the balance on the car on the short run, but the tight conditions returned.
Ending up 12th when the first segment ended on lap 120, Keselowski hit pit road during the stage caution on lap 123 for four tires and a chassis adjustment. Fast work by the No. 2 crew got him back up to 10th place when the race restarted on lap 127.
Settling into 11th spot, Keselowski stayed there until another green flag stop on lap 185 for four tires and air pressure adjustments. Again, the No. 2 crew made fast work of the pit stop and the Team Penske driver was able to move up to ninth place and hold it until Stage 2 ended on lap 240. Pitting again under the stage caution on lap 244, he took four tires and the No. 2 Wurth crew got him out in eighth position.
However before the race went green, Keselowski and Clint Bowyer made slight contact on the backstretch, and the No. 2 Ford Mustang sustained a wrinkle in the right-rear corner.
Restarting in eighth on lap 248, Keselowski found his car still struggling to turn. He was running 11th when another cycle of green flag stops started. Crew Chief Paul Wolfe called him to pit road on lap 319 and Keselowski again took four tires. Continuing their solid pit stops, the team got him back on the track in ninth position.
Battling hard to stay ahead of race leader, the No. 42 of Kyle Larson, Keselowski nevertheless found himself passed by Larson, Kurt Busch, and Bowyer on lap 361, pushing him back to 11th place. Keselowski communicated to his team that he had simply pushed too hard early in the run, using up his front tires in the process. He ultimately brought the No. 2 Wurth Mustang across the finish line in 11th position.
"We had an okay day. We held serve. We came into the weekend 19 points up on the cutoff and we leave 20 points up with two big races in front of us. If we can have a great day at Talladega it would be huge. We just didn't have the speed most of the weekend that we wanted to have," Keselowski observed following the race.
Talladega
Keselowski has four wins at Talladega Superspeedway since joining Team Penske, two top fives, and three top 10s. He also claimed a win in 2009 driving for Phoenix Racing.
The No. 2 driver finished 13th in April of this year after qualifying fourth.
Fans can find the personable driver on October 11 at the Walmart Supercenter, 165 Vaughan Lane, Pell City, AL 35125 in a Miller Lite appearance beginning at 9:30 am. (Autographs Session is limited to the first 100 fans with wristbands).
You can also find Keselowski in a 15 minute Q & A session at the Ford Display on October 13, starting at 9:45 am, at Talladega Superspeedway.
DID YOU KNOW: Brad Keselowski was the ONLY NASCAR driver to make the top 200 list of philanthropists in 2017. The driver came in at No. 54 on the list, ahead of such personalities as Angelina Jolie, Eric Trump, Ashton Kutcher, William Shatner, and Sean Diddy Combs. In typical Keselowski form, the driver tweeted at the time "Flattering. But you can be assured I am way over rated."
I would be willing to bet that anyone who has been touched by his Checkered Flag Foundation and the driver's generosity and genuine caring would beg to differ.
You can watch the No. 2 Team Penske driver fly around Talladega Superspeedway this coming Sunday in the 1000Bulbs.com 500. The race is scheduled to start at 1 pm (CT) with coverage on NBC/NBC Sports App and on MRN as well.
Follow and chat with me: @DebbiePowers11
SHOP HERE for 2019 NASCAR gear!!
October 6, 2019
Brad Keselowski qualified the No. 2 Wurth Ford Mustang 16th at the Monster Mile and finished in 11th position, 43 points behind leader Martin Truex, Jr., and 20th ahead of the eighth-place cutoff position.
Keselowski spent a lot of Stage 1 of the Drydene 400 just outside the top 10, fighting tight handling in the initial run. He pitted under green on lap 78 for four tires and air pressure adjustments, which improved the balance on the car on the short run, but the tight conditions returned.
Ending up 12th when the first segment ended on lap 120, Keselowski hit pit road during the stage caution on lap 123 for four tires and a chassis adjustment. Fast work by the No. 2 crew got him back up to 10th place when the race restarted on lap 127.
Settling into 11th spot, Keselowski stayed there until another green flag stop on lap 185 for four tires and air pressure adjustments. Again, the No. 2 crew made fast work of the pit stop and the Team Penske driver was able to move up to ninth place and hold it until Stage 2 ended on lap 240. Pitting again under the stage caution on lap 244, he took four tires and the No. 2 Wurth crew got him out in eighth position.
However before the race went green, Keselowski and Clint Bowyer made slight contact on the backstretch, and the No. 2 Ford Mustang sustained a wrinkle in the right-rear corner.
Restarting in eighth on lap 248, Keselowski found his car still struggling to turn. He was running 11th when another cycle of green flag stops started. Crew Chief Paul Wolfe called him to pit road on lap 319 and Keselowski again took four tires. Continuing their solid pit stops, the team got him back on the track in ninth position.
Battling hard to stay ahead of race leader, the No. 42 of Kyle Larson, Keselowski nevertheless found himself passed by Larson, Kurt Busch, and Bowyer on lap 361, pushing him back to 11th place. Keselowski communicated to his team that he had simply pushed too hard early in the run, using up his front tires in the process. He ultimately brought the No. 2 Wurth Mustang across the finish line in 11th position.
"We had an okay day. We held serve. We came into the weekend 19 points up on the cutoff and we leave 20 points up with two big races in front of us. If we can have a great day at Talladega it would be huge. We just didn't have the speed most of the weekend that we wanted to have," Keselowski observed following the race.
Talladega
Keselowski has four wins at Talladega Superspeedway since joining Team Penske, two top fives, and three top 10s. He also claimed a win in 2009 driving for Phoenix Racing.
The No. 2 driver finished 13th in April of this year after qualifying fourth.
Fans can find the personable driver on October 11 at the Walmart Supercenter, 165 Vaughan Lane, Pell City, AL 35125 in a Miller Lite appearance beginning at 9:30 am. (Autographs Session is limited to the first 100 fans with wristbands).
You can also find Keselowski in a 15 minute Q & A session at the Ford Display on October 13, starting at 9:45 am, at Talladega Superspeedway.
DID YOU KNOW: Brad Keselowski was the ONLY NASCAR driver to make the top 200 list of philanthropists in 2017. The driver came in at No. 54 on the list, ahead of such personalities as Angelina Jolie, Eric Trump, Ashton Kutcher, William Shatner, and Sean Diddy Combs. In typical Keselowski form, the driver tweeted at the time "Flattering. But you can be assured I am way over rated."
I would be willing to bet that anyone who has been touched by his Checkered Flag Foundation and the driver's generosity and genuine caring would beg to differ.
You can watch the No. 2 Team Penske driver fly around Talladega Superspeedway this coming Sunday in the 1000Bulbs.com 500. The race is scheduled to start at 1 pm (CT) with coverage on NBC/NBC Sports App and on MRN as well.
Follow and chat with me: @DebbiePowers11
SHOP HERE for 2019 NASCAR gear!!
Images: License Plate Merry
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Keselowski Claims 12th Top-5 of 2019 Season, Locks into the Round of 12 in Charlotte
September 29, 2019
Brad Keselowski is a driver you never want to count out or down!
Starting 11th in the Bank of Americal ROVAL 400 on Sunday, the Team Penske driver claimed a sixth place finish in Stage 1, second in Stage 2, and completed the 109-lap race in fifth position, ending up seventh in driver points standings, (-22) behind leader Kyle Busch.
Keselowski passed Martin Truex, Jr. with two laps to go on Sunday, his best finish in two starts at the 2.32 mile racetrack.
Finishing sixth in the first 25-lap stage, right behind Penske teammates Joey Logano and Ryan Blaney, Keselowski's crew chief, Paul Wolfe, let him know that most of the time he lost was in the chicanes. Keselowski restarted second when the race went green on lap 27 after choosing not to pit during the stage caution.
Keselowski reported he had flat-spotted a tire on lap 32, and the No. 2 Ford Mustang driver immediately pitted under green for four tires, returning to the track in 33rd position. When the third caution came on lap 43, most of the leaders pitted, but Keselowski stayed on the track, moving up to sixth for the restart on lap 44. He moved up to second-place one lap later and then stole the lead from Clint Bowyer on lap 46, but even with 100% effort, he couldn't hold off Chase Elliott, and with just two laps remaining, the No. 9 found its way around Keselowski in Stage 2. The No. 2 driver stayed out during the stage caution and started second when the race went green again on lap 54.
Keselowski remained in second position until lap 67, and was running third when he made a scheduled green flag stop to take on four tires on lap 74, which triggered a cycle of stops among the leaders. When sequences were completed, Keselowski was sixth in running order. Wolfe called him to pit road under the seventh caution for four tires and an air pressure adjustment, giving Keselowski fresher tires than his competitors for the final run. The driver lined up 11th when the race went green on lap 91.
However, three cautions, including a red flag delay for track cleanup, denied Keselowski the full advantage of his fresher tires, although he did work his way up to sixth position during the closing laps. Keselowski also took advantage of a wiggle in Truex's car on lap 108, passing him for fifth place off Turn 17.
After the race, Keselowski commented, "That was a hot race, pretty miserable, but we got through with a decent finish in the Alliance Truck Parts Ford and made the most with what we had. You could pass, you just had to be super, super fast and the No. 9 car (Chase Elliott) was that. We had newer tires than everybody, but it didn't really matter. The No. 9 car was so much faster than everyone. He passed everybody on old tires. I don't know what they had, but we need to come back with that!"
The No. 2 Team Penske driver heads to the Monster Mile in Dover this weekend. Since driving for Roger Penske, Keselowski has claimed two poles and one win (in 2012), in Dover, with eight top-10 and five top-5 finishes.
Don't forget the driver's Checkered Flag Foundation, established in 2010, whose mission it is to honor and assist those who have sacrificed greatly for our country.
In 2017, the Foundation raised upwards of $450,000 and assisted or honored more than 250 individuals and organizations in order to help veterans and first responders.
Between 2017 and 2019, the Checkered Flag Foundation hosted two active-duty military members at Michigan International Speedway.
Keselowski recently visited the Richmond VAMC to speak with veterans in injury recovery. The driver firmly believes in giving back, and his foundation has supported more than 250 organizations and individuals since 2010.
FACT: Have you ever noticed that all three Team Penske Cup Series drivers support amazing "give back" programs? What an awesome way to show appreciation for the opportunities and blessings in their lives!
For more info email: info@checkeredflagfoundation.org.
Follow and chat with me: @DebbiePowers11
SHOP HERE for 2019 NASCAR gear!!
September 29, 2019
Brad Keselowski is a driver you never want to count out or down!
Starting 11th in the Bank of Americal ROVAL 400 on Sunday, the Team Penske driver claimed a sixth place finish in Stage 1, second in Stage 2, and completed the 109-lap race in fifth position, ending up seventh in driver points standings, (-22) behind leader Kyle Busch.
Keselowski passed Martin Truex, Jr. with two laps to go on Sunday, his best finish in two starts at the 2.32 mile racetrack.
Finishing sixth in the first 25-lap stage, right behind Penske teammates Joey Logano and Ryan Blaney, Keselowski's crew chief, Paul Wolfe, let him know that most of the time he lost was in the chicanes. Keselowski restarted second when the race went green on lap 27 after choosing not to pit during the stage caution.
Keselowski reported he had flat-spotted a tire on lap 32, and the No. 2 Ford Mustang driver immediately pitted under green for four tires, returning to the track in 33rd position. When the third caution came on lap 43, most of the leaders pitted, but Keselowski stayed on the track, moving up to sixth for the restart on lap 44. He moved up to second-place one lap later and then stole the lead from Clint Bowyer on lap 46, but even with 100% effort, he couldn't hold off Chase Elliott, and with just two laps remaining, the No. 9 found its way around Keselowski in Stage 2. The No. 2 driver stayed out during the stage caution and started second when the race went green again on lap 54.
Keselowski remained in second position until lap 67, and was running third when he made a scheduled green flag stop to take on four tires on lap 74, which triggered a cycle of stops among the leaders. When sequences were completed, Keselowski was sixth in running order. Wolfe called him to pit road under the seventh caution for four tires and an air pressure adjustment, giving Keselowski fresher tires than his competitors for the final run. The driver lined up 11th when the race went green on lap 91.
However, three cautions, including a red flag delay for track cleanup, denied Keselowski the full advantage of his fresher tires, although he did work his way up to sixth position during the closing laps. Keselowski also took advantage of a wiggle in Truex's car on lap 108, passing him for fifth place off Turn 17.
After the race, Keselowski commented, "That was a hot race, pretty miserable, but we got through with a decent finish in the Alliance Truck Parts Ford and made the most with what we had. You could pass, you just had to be super, super fast and the No. 9 car (Chase Elliott) was that. We had newer tires than everybody, but it didn't really matter. The No. 9 car was so much faster than everyone. He passed everybody on old tires. I don't know what they had, but we need to come back with that!"
The No. 2 Team Penske driver heads to the Monster Mile in Dover this weekend. Since driving for Roger Penske, Keselowski has claimed two poles and one win (in 2012), in Dover, with eight top-10 and five top-5 finishes.
Don't forget the driver's Checkered Flag Foundation, established in 2010, whose mission it is to honor and assist those who have sacrificed greatly for our country.
In 2017, the Foundation raised upwards of $450,000 and assisted or honored more than 250 individuals and organizations in order to help veterans and first responders.
Between 2017 and 2019, the Checkered Flag Foundation hosted two active-duty military members at Michigan International Speedway.
Keselowski recently visited the Richmond VAMC to speak with veterans in injury recovery. The driver firmly believes in giving back, and his foundation has supported more than 250 organizations and individuals since 2010.
FACT: Have you ever noticed that all three Team Penske Cup Series drivers support amazing "give back" programs? What an awesome way to show appreciation for the opportunities and blessings in their lives!
For more info email: info@checkeredflagfoundation.org.
Follow and chat with me: @DebbiePowers11
SHOP HERE for 2019 NASCAR gear!!
Image used with permission: Brian Johnson
“Pass-through”: NOT the kind of pass Keselowski was looking to make in Bristol
+ This week's latest: Giving Back and Toyota Owners 400
April 7-13, 2019
The No. 2 Discount Tire Ford Mustang came home in 18th place last Sunday after a late-race penalty cost Brad Keselowski any chance of winning the Food City 500.
Keselowski started in 12th place and was running in 4th as Stage 1 neared closing. Pitting on lap 120 during the 3rd caution of the race, his quick Discount Tire crew got him back out fast for the restart with 2 laps remaining in the stage, and he finished 4th on Lap 125.
Choosing not to pit during the stage caution, Keselowski powered his No. 2 Discount Tire Ford Mustang into the lead on lap 130.
Keselowski led 15 laps before settling into second behind teammate Joey Logano.
Pitting under caution on lap 215, the driver took four tires and restarted second when the race went green, drifting back to 4th place when Stage 2 concluded on lap 250, citing the need for longer runs to help his car’s performance.
Pitting twice during the stage caution, once for four tires and once for left, front loose lug nuts, Keselowski was 18th in the lineup for the lap 261 restart.
Finally getting the long run so badly needed, Keselowski powered through traffic and charged his way through traffic and into the top ten by lap 329. He was in 7th place when the eighth caution flew on lap 376. The Team Penske 2 crew gave the driver four tires on lap 378, and Keselowski pulled out in 7th position when the race restarted on lap 382.
On lap 414, another caution flag flew, and Crew Chief Paul Wolfe elected to go with 2 right-side tires when pit lane opened, maneuvering Keselowski into 4th position on the restart at lap 422. “Patiently” running behind Kyle Busch for 23 laps, Keselowski grabbed the lead on lap 445, holding on to it until his teammate Logano took it away on lap 470.
One last round of stops came on lap 481, during the eleventh, and final, caution of the race, and Wolfe again opted for right-side tires only, which appeared to put Keselowski back in the restart lineup in 5th position. However, NASCAR officials ruled Keselowski lined up incorrectly and issued a pass-through penalty on lap 486. Ten laps from the conclusion of the race, Keselowski served that penalty on lap 490, costing him a lap to the leaders, and forcing the team to settle for an 18th-place finish.
Not all was lost though, as the Discount Tire Ford driver gained one point in the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series driver standings, and now sits in fifth place, 90 points behind the leader, heading in to Richmond this week.
Keselowski was obviously not happy about NASCAR’s ruling and after the race stated, “Nobody could figure out the lineup. There wasn't enough communication and it was just a tough deal.”
Keselowski met with NASCAR officials following the conclusion of the Food City 500 and later posted he understood the decision better after that meeting.
The latest:
Giving Back
Keselowski wasn’t idle in between Bristol and Richmond either. On Thursday, the driver met with South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster at the Governor’s mansion in Columbia, SC to celebrate his Bojangles Southern 500 win at Darlington Raceway last fall. During the visit, Kerry Tharp, President of the raceway, presented Brad with a $2000.00 check for his Checkered Flag Foundation! The Foundation, based out of Statesville, NC, was established in 2010, to honor and assist those who have sacrificed greatly for our country. You can check out their great work at checkeredflagfoundation.org.
This month, as part of their giving back, Keselowski and the Foundation are supporting military kids as part of “Month of the Military Child,” and the No.2 Team Penske Ford will carry Keselowski’s name in purple above his door for all April races; recognizing that not only service members, but their families sacrifice as well. Keselowski will also have two special guests in Richmond: children whose father currently serves in the U.S.Coastguard. You can follow The Checkered Flag Foundation on Instagram to see all of the surprises and experiences the children receive during the day.
Ever on the lookout for opportunities to help his foundation, Keselowski also introduced an opportunity for fans to send a video message to someone special with all proceeds benefiting the Foundation. Check it out at www.cameo.com/bradkeselowski.
Toyota Owners 400
Keselowski starts the Toyota Owners 400 at Richmond in 12th position, driving the No. 2 Alliance Truck Parts Ford Mustang for Team Penske. The driver led 383 laps when he won in 2014, averaging a 1.04 running position.
In one of this writer’s favorite paint schemes, reminding me of “Bumblebee” in Transformers movies, can Keselowski take the “sting” out of Bristol’s disappointing finish and bring home a win in Richmond? Watch and see if he “transforms” a 12th-place starting position on the “D-shape” asphalt short track into an American flag victory lap.
Catch the excitement on FOX when the green flag waves @ 7:30 pm (ET) on Saturday. You can also find the race on MRN and Sirius XM, CH 90.
Follow and chat with me: @DebbiePowers11
SHOP HERE for 2019 NASCAR gear!!
+ This week's latest: Giving Back and Toyota Owners 400
April 7-13, 2019
The No. 2 Discount Tire Ford Mustang came home in 18th place last Sunday after a late-race penalty cost Brad Keselowski any chance of winning the Food City 500.
Keselowski started in 12th place and was running in 4th as Stage 1 neared closing. Pitting on lap 120 during the 3rd caution of the race, his quick Discount Tire crew got him back out fast for the restart with 2 laps remaining in the stage, and he finished 4th on Lap 125.
Choosing not to pit during the stage caution, Keselowski powered his No. 2 Discount Tire Ford Mustang into the lead on lap 130.
Keselowski led 15 laps before settling into second behind teammate Joey Logano.
Pitting under caution on lap 215, the driver took four tires and restarted second when the race went green, drifting back to 4th place when Stage 2 concluded on lap 250, citing the need for longer runs to help his car’s performance.
Pitting twice during the stage caution, once for four tires and once for left, front loose lug nuts, Keselowski was 18th in the lineup for the lap 261 restart.
Finally getting the long run so badly needed, Keselowski powered through traffic and charged his way through traffic and into the top ten by lap 329. He was in 7th place when the eighth caution flew on lap 376. The Team Penske 2 crew gave the driver four tires on lap 378, and Keselowski pulled out in 7th position when the race restarted on lap 382.
On lap 414, another caution flag flew, and Crew Chief Paul Wolfe elected to go with 2 right-side tires when pit lane opened, maneuvering Keselowski into 4th position on the restart at lap 422. “Patiently” running behind Kyle Busch for 23 laps, Keselowski grabbed the lead on lap 445, holding on to it until his teammate Logano took it away on lap 470.
One last round of stops came on lap 481, during the eleventh, and final, caution of the race, and Wolfe again opted for right-side tires only, which appeared to put Keselowski back in the restart lineup in 5th position. However, NASCAR officials ruled Keselowski lined up incorrectly and issued a pass-through penalty on lap 486. Ten laps from the conclusion of the race, Keselowski served that penalty on lap 490, costing him a lap to the leaders, and forcing the team to settle for an 18th-place finish.
Not all was lost though, as the Discount Tire Ford driver gained one point in the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series driver standings, and now sits in fifth place, 90 points behind the leader, heading in to Richmond this week.
Keselowski was obviously not happy about NASCAR’s ruling and after the race stated, “Nobody could figure out the lineup. There wasn't enough communication and it was just a tough deal.”
Keselowski met with NASCAR officials following the conclusion of the Food City 500 and later posted he understood the decision better after that meeting.
The latest:
Giving Back
Keselowski wasn’t idle in between Bristol and Richmond either. On Thursday, the driver met with South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster at the Governor’s mansion in Columbia, SC to celebrate his Bojangles Southern 500 win at Darlington Raceway last fall. During the visit, Kerry Tharp, President of the raceway, presented Brad with a $2000.00 check for his Checkered Flag Foundation! The Foundation, based out of Statesville, NC, was established in 2010, to honor and assist those who have sacrificed greatly for our country. You can check out their great work at checkeredflagfoundation.org.
This month, as part of their giving back, Keselowski and the Foundation are supporting military kids as part of “Month of the Military Child,” and the No.2 Team Penske Ford will carry Keselowski’s name in purple above his door for all April races; recognizing that not only service members, but their families sacrifice as well. Keselowski will also have two special guests in Richmond: children whose father currently serves in the U.S.Coastguard. You can follow The Checkered Flag Foundation on Instagram to see all of the surprises and experiences the children receive during the day.
Ever on the lookout for opportunities to help his foundation, Keselowski also introduced an opportunity for fans to send a video message to someone special with all proceeds benefiting the Foundation. Check it out at www.cameo.com/bradkeselowski.
Toyota Owners 400
Keselowski starts the Toyota Owners 400 at Richmond in 12th position, driving the No. 2 Alliance Truck Parts Ford Mustang for Team Penske. The driver led 383 laps when he won in 2014, averaging a 1.04 running position.
In one of this writer’s favorite paint schemes, reminding me of “Bumblebee” in Transformers movies, can Keselowski take the “sting” out of Bristol’s disappointing finish and bring home a win in Richmond? Watch and see if he “transforms” a 12th-place starting position on the “D-shape” asphalt short track into an American flag victory lap.
Catch the excitement on FOX when the green flag waves @ 7:30 pm (ET) on Saturday. You can also find the race on MRN and Sirius XM, CH 90.
Follow and chat with me: @DebbiePowers11
SHOP HERE for 2019 NASCAR gear!!
'Bumblebee'? Image: Dawn Charest, used with permission
Sidelined by an Accident
Keselowski ends up 35th in My Bariatrics 300 Xfinity race at Texas Motor Speedway
March 30, 2019
Brad Keselowski started Saturday’s Xfinity race 10th in the PIRTEK Ford Mustang for Team Penske, where he ran well throughout the 1st Stage, despite being loose. When Stage 1 concluded on Lap 45, he was in 8th place. On Lap 48, he had a fast pit stop and the PIRTEK pit crew got him back out on the track in 4th position when the race went green again on Lap 53.
Holding his own as they ran three-wide, Keselowski was running fifth when he and Justin Allgaier made contact, sending him back to 12th in the running order.
In the laps following the restart after the third caution, Keselowski found his day coming apart when Justin Haley bumped him from behind on Lap 66 and sent his No. 12 PIRTEK Ford Mustang up the banking and into the outside wall.
Keselowski commented, “It was a frustrating day. The team said the damage on our PIRTEK Mustang was too much to continue. With all these short restarts there are a handful of cars that seem to have a lot of real quick, short run speed, and we just kept getting run over by them. I thought we would have been really good for the last stage when the long run comes, but we didn’t make it that far.”
Keselowski completed 68 of the total 200 laps of the race.
Tomorrow finds the driver of the Miller Lite No. 2 Ford Mustang starting in 12th position in the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series O’Reilly Auto Parts 500 at Texas Motor Speedway in Fort Worth, TX. The 334 lap, 501-mile race is scheduled for 2 pm Central time.
Will a little track time running Xfinity give Keselowski an edge? Tune in on FOX to find out! Live coverage begins 3 pm ET.
Follow and chat with me: @DebbiePowers11
SHOP HERE for 2019 NASCAR gear!!
Keselowski ends up 35th in My Bariatrics 300 Xfinity race at Texas Motor Speedway
March 30, 2019
Brad Keselowski started Saturday’s Xfinity race 10th in the PIRTEK Ford Mustang for Team Penske, where he ran well throughout the 1st Stage, despite being loose. When Stage 1 concluded on Lap 45, he was in 8th place. On Lap 48, he had a fast pit stop and the PIRTEK pit crew got him back out on the track in 4th position when the race went green again on Lap 53.
Holding his own as they ran three-wide, Keselowski was running fifth when he and Justin Allgaier made contact, sending him back to 12th in the running order.
In the laps following the restart after the third caution, Keselowski found his day coming apart when Justin Haley bumped him from behind on Lap 66 and sent his No. 12 PIRTEK Ford Mustang up the banking and into the outside wall.
Keselowski commented, “It was a frustrating day. The team said the damage on our PIRTEK Mustang was too much to continue. With all these short restarts there are a handful of cars that seem to have a lot of real quick, short run speed, and we just kept getting run over by them. I thought we would have been really good for the last stage when the long run comes, but we didn’t make it that far.”
Keselowski completed 68 of the total 200 laps of the race.
Tomorrow finds the driver of the Miller Lite No. 2 Ford Mustang starting in 12th position in the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series O’Reilly Auto Parts 500 at Texas Motor Speedway in Fort Worth, TX. The 334 lap, 501-mile race is scheduled for 2 pm Central time.
Will a little track time running Xfinity give Keselowski an edge? Tune in on FOX to find out! Live coverage begins 3 pm ET.
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“Tick, tock, the No.2 has 2 grandfather clocks.”
Keselowski Dominates Martinsville
March 24, 2019
Starting 3rd in the STP 500 on Sunday at Martinsville Speedway, Brad Keselowski grabbed the lead from teammate Joey Logano on lap 6, and never looked back!
Keselowski led the next 319 laps, won Stages 1 and 2, and only gave up the lead on lap 325 when Chase Elliott managed to pass him.
On lap 373, running second, Keselowski's REESE/Draw-Tite 2 crew did excellent pit work after a sixth caution slowed laps and allowed pit stops for leaders one lap later, giving Keselowski the lead, one he never relinquished!
Entering the final stretch, the other top-five drivers had one more chance to try to catch Keselowski as the caution flag flew on lap 447 and one final round of pit stops came on lap 448. But, flawless in their execution, the No. 2 team kept their driver in the lead, with Keselowski steadily inching away from Elliott over the stretch run to the checkered flag, with a 2-car length lead (officially measured at .594 seconds).
Every single pit stop in the 500-lap STP 500 on Sunday afternoon, six in all, found the No. 2 REESE/Draw-Tite crew performing with pure precision, sending Keselowski back out in the lead every time!
Keselowski gained 60 stage points when he brought the REESE/Draw-Tite Ford Mustang in first in both Stage 1 and Stage 2, and now sits 5th in driver point standings, (-37). He led the most laps led in a Cup race since Kyle Petty led 484 at Rockingham in October 1992. The race also had the fewest lead changes in a Martinsville Cup race since the Old Dominion 500 in 1967!
Keselowski earned the American Ethanol Green Flag Restart Award, and he ran the fastest lap of the race. This is Keselowski's second win of the 2019 season, his second win in 19 races at Martinsville, and his fourth top-five finish in six races this season.
In a post-win statement, Keselowski said "The Draw-Tite Ford Mustang was really strong. It's just a great day for our team, awesome execution on pit road and big credit to Doug Yates and all the engine guys. Today was just one of those days you dream of as a race car driver. Chase Elliott was really strong. He passed me with about 200 to go and I watched him and studied him and knew what I had to do to hold him off and we were able to pull it off that last run."
Now where to put that clock?
Dale Earnhardt, Jr. tweeted “@Keselowski only won by a few car lengths, but he dominated @MartinsvilleSwy today. Dominating a short track like that is one of the most impressive performances you’ll see in today’s @NASCAR. “ Nice praise from your former boss Keselowski!
Keselowski Dominates Martinsville
March 24, 2019
Starting 3rd in the STP 500 on Sunday at Martinsville Speedway, Brad Keselowski grabbed the lead from teammate Joey Logano on lap 6, and never looked back!
Keselowski led the next 319 laps, won Stages 1 and 2, and only gave up the lead on lap 325 when Chase Elliott managed to pass him.
On lap 373, running second, Keselowski's REESE/Draw-Tite 2 crew did excellent pit work after a sixth caution slowed laps and allowed pit stops for leaders one lap later, giving Keselowski the lead, one he never relinquished!
Entering the final stretch, the other top-five drivers had one more chance to try to catch Keselowski as the caution flag flew on lap 447 and one final round of pit stops came on lap 448. But, flawless in their execution, the No. 2 team kept their driver in the lead, with Keselowski steadily inching away from Elliott over the stretch run to the checkered flag, with a 2-car length lead (officially measured at .594 seconds).
Every single pit stop in the 500-lap STP 500 on Sunday afternoon, six in all, found the No. 2 REESE/Draw-Tite crew performing with pure precision, sending Keselowski back out in the lead every time!
Keselowski gained 60 stage points when he brought the REESE/Draw-Tite Ford Mustang in first in both Stage 1 and Stage 2, and now sits 5th in driver point standings, (-37). He led the most laps led in a Cup race since Kyle Petty led 484 at Rockingham in October 1992. The race also had the fewest lead changes in a Martinsville Cup race since the Old Dominion 500 in 1967!
Keselowski earned the American Ethanol Green Flag Restart Award, and he ran the fastest lap of the race. This is Keselowski's second win of the 2019 season, his second win in 19 races at Martinsville, and his fourth top-five finish in six races this season.
In a post-win statement, Keselowski said "The Draw-Tite Ford Mustang was really strong. It's just a great day for our team, awesome execution on pit road and big credit to Doug Yates and all the engine guys. Today was just one of those days you dream of as a race car driver. Chase Elliott was really strong. He passed me with about 200 to go and I watched him and studied him and knew what I had to do to hold him off and we were able to pull it off that last run."
Now where to put that clock?
Dale Earnhardt, Jr. tweeted “@Keselowski only won by a few car lengths, but he dominated @MartinsvilleSwy today. Dominating a short track like that is one of the most impressive performances you’ll see in today’s @NASCAR. “ Nice praise from your former boss Keselowski!
Driver intros - Brad Keselowski Image: Cathleen Cooper, Ladies of Speed
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That was quite some burnout!! Image: Tiffany Faw, Ladies of Speed
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