Going for It

As the 2011 IRWIN Tools Night Race Champion, Brad Keselowski knows what it feels like to emerge victorious at Bristol Motor Speedway. It’s a feeling every driver wants to experience, and those that have want to do it again.

Starting from the 9th position, it was evident that Keselowski would have some work cut out for him, but nothing a two time Bristol winner can’t overcome. As the race progressed, two things became clear.

1) Four Fresh Tires are “Wurth” It
2) Restart on the High Line

In a race with nine cautions, BK was forced to resume racing from the bottom lane six of those times. Unfortunately, not many drivers could make up positions in the first couple laps from the bottom, but it didn’t take long for Brad to claw through and not only get the lost spots back, but he passed other cars to further advance himself. Sadly for the 2012 Series Champion and his fans, it appeared that the final restart of the night would come at Lap 437; and BK would be starting from no other than P7. On the bottom.

The difference was this time, the odds were slightly in the No.2’s favor. Although he was in the unpreferred lane, the drivers ahead of him were on older tires, or two fresh tires. Except for Team Penske teammate Joey Logano, the other five drivers ahead of Brad should have been easy passes.

It was the perfect time for Kes to display his high banked short track finesse as by Lap 440, just three laps into the run, he had passed both of the Ganassi cars and bumped his way up to 5th. Next time by Brad passed Paul Menard, and Carl Edwards the next lap. That left BK in 3rd, where he cruised around for a few laps until Lap 468 when he finally got around Matt Kenseth. Now in second, Keselowski had his sights set on the leader: teammate Joey Logano.

Which Team Penske driver would win? Even with a handful of laps to go, there was no clear favorite. The winner would be decided at the mercy of the lapped traffic. That was the simplest way to put it. Whoever could weave through the slower traffic more efficiently, would win.

Coming into the last corner of the last lap, Brad Keselowski let it be known that he wanted the win at whatever cost. Sailing off into Turn 4, BK tried putting a dive and a slide on Joey. But it just wasn’t meant to be.

Considering it all, if Brad couldn’t win, it was the best possible result for me. The entire week at Bristol was great being a Penske fan. Trucks, Nationwide, Sprint Cup…it was a Team Penske driver in Victory Lane each and every time. Not bad. Not bad at all.