We should all be so lucky to have weekends like Brad Keselowski.
The Penske Racing team driver entered all three weekend NASCAR events at Kentucky Speedway – Sprint Cup, Nationwide and Camping World Truck – and when all was said and done, posted first, second and seventh place finishes.
“Yeah, I wanted all three but sometimes that ain’t meant to happen,” a joyous Keselowski said after the final race Saturday night. “I was proud of the effort we put in all week long in the heat with all three teams, Truck series team, Nationwide team. A second, seventh and a first ain’t bad at all. Who’d have figured my best finish would have came in the hardest race but that just shows the importance of teamwork and the group of guys that I have on this Miller Lite Dodge (team).”
Keselowski’s winning weekend began with Thursday night’s truck race. He was looking to add his name to the list of 23 drivers that have won a race in each of the three NASCAR national series. His effort in this race came up one spot short. Driving the No. 19 Brad Keselowski’s Checkered Flag Foundation RAM, he claimed his third top five of the season mainly through his ability to gain positions on restarts. He finished second.
In Friday night’s 200-lap Nationwide event, Keselowski piloted the No. 22 Discount Tire Dodge Challenger and overcame the loss of track position early in the race to finish seventh, his eighth top-10 finish in 11 starts this season.
But Keselowski, 28, saved the best for last. The Rochester Hills, Mich., native captured his third NASCAR Sprint Cup Series victory of the season Saturday night, leading the final 56 laps en route to victory in the Quaker State 400. And, amazingly enough, he finished first driving his back-up Dodge Charger after his primary car was involved in a mishap in the opening minutes of Friday’s first practice session. The man behind the wheel of the No. 2 Miller Lite Dodge Charger is now the only driver in NASCAR’s premier series with three wins this season.
Keselowski appears to be a lock to make the 10-race post-season Chase for the Sprint Cup. But he continues to maintain an even strain while keeping his eye on the prize.
“You've got to win races. You don't back your way into the Chase. Don't rest on your laurels. You've got to have a fast car when the Chase starts, with great reliability and great execution. It's going to take all three, and those three are going to win races.”
