Testing the Tremor

In the closing lap of the annual race at Watkins Glen International, Brad was faced with a question: Should he have raced the driver of car No. 18 harder and go for the win?

The correct answer to that was no, and that is exactly what Brad did.

After the 90 lap endurance race, winner Kyle Busch was asked by the media if he felt he was raced cleanly by Brad Keselowski. Busch replied, “For sure.”

Being on the bubble for a Chase berth, any slight rivalry could come back to haunt you when you least want it.

But why does it matter to the defending Sprint Cup Champion what another competitor thinks? Throughout the rest of his career, it would not have bothered BK the least bit if another driver had a problem with him. But in order to have a shot at a Championship repeat, this is a delicate time for driver No. 2.

Throughout the final turns of the left and right handed course, Kes had plenty of opportunities to apply his bumper to the rear of the M&M’s Camry, but he thought better of it. Coming into the race, Kyle Busch had two victories, respectively, while sitting well in the Chase. While Busch seems to be a lock in this year’s 10 race shootout, Brad on the other hand, is not. Many things were going through his mind, but the most dominant had to be the thought of retaliation. What if Brad would have bumped Kyle? Even if Busch would have finished second, and Brad won, BK would have to be worried. Being on the bubble for a Chase berth, any slight rivalry could come back to haunt you when you least want it.

Instead of taking that risk, Brad brought back the best finish for his Penske Racing team all year — second, for the third consecutive year at Watkins Glen. Most importantly, Brad is back in the top 10 in the standings, placing him in the Chase for the Sprint Cup for a third consecutive year. Could it be due to racing Kyle Busch cleanly?

We’ll have to see next time they take to the track.