But he couldn’t catch a break…or brake.

Literally.

It seems like ever since the pre-Indianapolis break, it’s been a stretch of tough luck for Brad.

A Lap 33 radio transmission from the driver to the crew was the most disappointing thing for the team to hear. “I’m losing the brakes,” were the words out of Keselowski’s mouth. Definitely not the words the 2 crew wanted to hear, but they knew that just over a third of the way through the race, BK would have to do some incredible driving.

During NASCAR Countdown for the Nationwide event on Saturday, former Blue Deuce driver Rusty Wallace said that when his team tested at The Glen, the telemetry showed that the hardest and longest braking zone in all of NASCAR is at the end of the back straightaway and into the bus stop chicane. Before sailing off into the chicane at well over 180 mph, all the drivers will give the left pedal a few gentle taps to become reacquainted with the cars braking system. I can’t think of anything more gut wrenching than to tap the brakes…and have nothing happen.

As a result, BK had to “back the corner up,” or slow down much sooner than he did with full braking force. Luckily all four rotors weren’t useless as his front wheels could still be controlled by the brake pedal, but the rear wheels had no control. It cost Brad a good chunk of time each and every lap, causing him to fade from inside the Top 5, to 19th place in a stretch of only 26 laps. Thanks to a caution, the Team Penske crew would have a chance to complete some needed repairs to the No.2 – but it left them five laps down in the running order.

It seems like ever since the pre-Indianapolis break, it’s been a stretch of tough luck for Brad. Getting stacked up on a restart at The Brickyard, and losing a lap caused for a rough day at a track BK looked forward to. Not to mention trying an alternate strategy at Pocono, which put Kes too far back in the pack – right where he didn’t want to be, in prime territory for a wreck. And now this at Watkins Glen? The poor guy just can’t catch a break. 

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Entering the season finale, Keselowski will leave the season with a series high six Sprint Cup Victories, along with five Nationwide Series wins. Something that stands out to me are the new venues that BK has been able to capture the flag in. Starting off in Las Vegas, as well as New Hampshire, and Richmond, Brad was able to extend his career to victories at eleven different racetracks.

Something that shouldn’t be overlooked is Keselowski’s incredible breakthrough Camping World Truck Series victory. While already being a Sprint Cup & Nationwide Series Champion, winning races in the top two national series seemed to be a cinch for BK. But winning that third tier truck event has been all the struggle for the Michigan driver.

Sharing my thoughts and experiences in a format like this is great, and it’s that much more rewarding when you know Brad is on the other end reading some of these posts.

Winning puts you in the spotlight for positive reasons, but Kes spent a fair amount of time under examination for the wrong reasons. In a sport fueled by passion, emotions and tempers are flammable, to say the least. Brad has proven over time that fighting is something that has never interested him, and it’s easy to see. He’s one of the more level headed drivers out there. Like all drivers, Keselowski surely gets frustrated, but payback and revenge usually doesn’t rank among the top of his list.

The development and progress of BKR this year has been great as well. I always respected how Dale Earnhardt, Jr. took in young drivers, and by surrounding them with the tools and resources they need, built championship caliber drivers. And that’s exactly what BKR has done this season. Looking past the fact that this is the first ever multiple victory season for the seven year old team, they have taken young talent like Ryan Blaney, and in just two and a half short years, put him in contention for the Camping World Truck Series championship. Throughout the season, Tyler Reddick has also evolved and come into his own as a driver. With two poles and a handful of Top 5 finishes, it’s surely been a good year for the California native.

This weekend at Homestead, BK has a few goals to take care of. While maybe not so realistic, with Ryan Blaney still in the Championship hunt – Brad will be eager to see how the evening goes for the second year driver. Tyler Reddick is also in search of Rookie of the Year Honors, trying to make that award go to BKR drivers in two consecutive years. But for Keselowski, the most meaningful title is one he can proudly award to his boss, Roger Penske. For the second straight year, Keselowski will play a pivotal role in delivering the Nationwide Series Owners Championship to The Captain. While out of the hunt on the Sprint Cup side, nothing can stop BK from trying to capture his seventh win of the year!

Not only has it been enjoyable for me to sit back and watch my favorite driver experience the success he has had this year, I have truly enjoyed my time here writing about it. Sharing my thoughts and experiences in a format like this is great, and it’s that much more rewarding when you know Brad is on the other end reading some of these posts.

I really appreciate what the BradRacing.com Staff and Editors have done this year to make this more than a site – it’s a community. Looking at the bigger picture, this challenge, along with our driver, has brought lots of Keselowski fans together who otherwise may never have met.

On that note, I would like to wish everyone a great offseason, and remind us all that even without a championship, it has still been a great year for Brad Keselowski. In only a few short months we’ll be back and racing in Daytona; and hopefully we’ll be able to start an even better season then. 

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After setting his fourth Coors Light Pole of the year, and 11th front row start on Friday, it looked like that would be a great start to the race weekend. From the drop of the green flag, Keselowski was able to maintain the lead until Lap 43. But when a caution flew just eight laps later, I started to notice something else.

Not only did the driver himself want to prove he was Championship worthy – the entire No.2 Pit Crew exclaimed they want – and deserve the trophy just as much.

Not only did the driver himself want to prove he was Championship worthy – the entire No.2 Pit Crew exclaimed they want – and deserve the trophy just as much. In the entire 400 lap event, the Blanco Deuce made it on to pit road a total of five times. Two of those times, the machine entered from the second position, and first the other three times. It was truly impressive to see the car spit out of the pits in P1 every single time! It’s hard to believe that just a few short months ago everyone at Penske was looking for answers with BK’s pit crew, but after just a few changes we couldn’t ask for anything better.

The performance from Brad was absolutely dominating. As much as I enjoy watching that, I just had to wish that run could have been saved for next week at Chicagoland. Having a win in the first round solidifies your spot for the second round, but who’s to say he can’t pull that off too? With a race as great as Richmond, we could only hope to see those performances week in and week out.

Looking back on Brad’s last utter domination of the Sprint Cup field at Kentucky, the weekend looked pretty similar. Both Kentucky and Richmond started off on the Pole, and both races ended up with BK in the lead for a majority of the race. But there was more to the familiarness than just that – it was the same chassis! The Team Penske chassis No.PRS-904 had surely had it’s proper payout from the team, as it has two races under it’s belt – each of those resulting in victories. I wonder how hard it would be for the crew to prepare that car for the next ten weeks? 

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It would only be fitting to use the Chicago area band, Chevelle, and their song “A New Momentum” after the show BK put up for us on Sunday. Coming off his first ever back-to-back win streak, I say Brad will be a force to put up with in the next nine weeks. Who else agrees?

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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. 

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I would like to elaborate (with what is most likely my season-ending post) on what makes BK a champion. Now, when I say he is the people’s champion, of course that does not mean all people, just those who understand him. Texas garnered him no friends in the garage (although he gained respect with the media and support from his fans), but Brad himself said that if you are making friends on the race track, then you aren’t beating them (paraphrased).

Now, when I say he is the people’s champion, of course that does not mean all people, just those who understand him. 

That is what drew me to Brad when he first came onto the NASCAR scene — his honesty. It’s hard enough to be that way in a small business and social circle. However, in the public eye with competitors, fans, team mates, peers, superiors and sponsors (and not in this order) all having different expectations, it has to be a balancing act that I can’t even imagine.

He is also the champion for the common man and woman. As someone who has lived in Michigan myself, I can relate to his appeal to the hardworking, struggling outsiders who are trying to make something out of themselves. He is an inspiration because he succeeded, even though it won’t make for increased popularity (although I think his large number of dedicated fans speaks for itself).

Lastly, there is one important reason why I view Brad as a champion: He does not make excuses. It could be easy to blame this, that or the other on bad track position during races, but he and his team focus on how to overcome this and pull off one amazing feat after another.

This has helped me in my personal life. Whenever I find myself thinking I can’t do something because of my health issues, lack of smart phone and other nifty gadgets (I still tweet from a desktop!), bad internet connection or whatever, I remind myself that BK would not let him slow that down.

Having said that, this site is one tool that allows me to partake equally and that sets Brad apart from others as well. Sure, every driver has a website, but how many write blogs and interact with their fans on such an involved level? After all, he brought social media onto the NASCAR map and now even his competitors are copying some of his fan-marketing ideas.

Sure, every driver has a website, but how many write blogs and interact with their fans on such an involved level?

They say that the more things change the more they stay the same. I have enjoyed seeing Brad grow in experience, as we all make mistakes, but he takes responsibility and he lets them make him stronger. Yet he always stays true to himself because he won’t cave in to what others think he should do.

The end at Homestead? Hardly. This year showed what the team learned from last year, and I see 2015 as an even better season.

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Keselowski came to the New Hampshire Motor Speedway with full intentions of redeeming himself after what seemed to be BK handing over a win at Pocono. Leading a total of 95/160 laps at the 2.5 mile superspeedway, it was domination with no trophy. On what could be the final race of the season for Redd’s, he wasn’t about to let that happen again. And he didn’t. Kes dominated this race too. Leading just under half of the laps this time, most of the laps that weren’t spent in the lead were used to capture the prime position back. Crew chief Paul Wolfe elected to keep four fresh Goodyear Eagles on the racecar throughout most of the event, which allowed his driver to continually claw through the field.

When Redd’s made their fourth appearance, BK wasn’t about to let this one slip away, and finally ended the dreaded Redd’s curse.

Redd’s was seeming to become a bad luck sponsor. Its debut race in Richmond last year was a night of ups and downs for Keselowski. Starting with early contact to the walls, driving back towards the front, and then suffering from terminal issues, it was a rough day for the Redd Deuce. The unique sponsor made it’s second appearance at Pocono in August last year, where after leading some laps early, strategy set the car back to a 6th place finish. The misfortunes of the Redd’s car have been well documented from this year’s first outing at Pocono, where it was the car to beat from start to finish. It seemed that no matter how fast they were, it wasn’t fast enough to outrun bad luck in the form of a hot dog wrapper. When Redd’s made their fourth appearance, BK wasn’t about to let this one slip away, and finally ended the dreaded Redd’s curse.

The win was more than just winning for a sponsor, but it proved that the No.2 is one of the most versatile teams in the series. Adding a win at Loudon to his Sprint Cup resume, it was the first “flat track” victory for the team with Keselowski behind the wheel. The three victories for BK this year have come on either a 1.5 mile track, or a flat short track – combined they produce 8 of the 10 Chase races.

While throwing away a win is never wanted, it gave Brad the will – and drive to go out and redeem himself. I say he did it. What about you?

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Putting aside the fact that Brad Keselowski wrote a complimentary blog entry about fellow competitor Jeff Gordon, the two of them are still fierce competitors. That fierceness would lead to those two putting on a fantastic and thrilling championship duel. Think of it: Gordon’s skill and experience vs Keselowski’s innovation and brashness. Put them at a track for the first time under the current rules package, and it’s a fair game.

These last few weeks have been tough for the 2012 Champion in terms of gaining respect.

The Villain

In this case, Keselowski would be the distinct villain. Hated from his 100% giving driving style, to as from the driver himself, his teeth. Said in 2009 during his scuffles with Cup star Denny Hamlin, Brad was nothing more than an “upstart punk”, and one who could be successful and win lots of races if he can better control himself. The race wins have definitely come since then, and so has the respect. But in this sport, respect is much easier to lose than it is to gain.

These last few weeks have been tough for the 2012 Champion in terms of gaining respect. Ever since starting off the Chase by winning two of the first six races, other drivers can’t stand it. Fans love it when their driver wins, and winning attracts new fans, but there is nothing that the competitors hate more than watching a driver win so much. Just like Dale Earnhardt’s streak, and Jeff Gordon’s, and Jimmie Johnson’s — nothing will earn hatred among mass amounts of fans than constant and consistent winning. That is exactly what Keselowski has done this year.

In addition to winning, Keselowski has also put himself under the unnecessary microscope. With a questionable move in the Spring Talladega race taking out several strong contenders (including Jeff Gordon), and two separate incidents with former champion Matt Kenseth in both Richmond and Charlotte, BK is in a less than desirable spot. The most recent flare-up with Gordon in Texas only goes further to prove how emotion driven this sport is, and that NASCAR has turned into a popularity contest – something that typically doesn’t work in the villain’s favor.

The Hero

On the opposite side of the spectrum, lies four time series champion Jeff Gordon. If popularity is any indication of a strong following, Gordon far surpasses Keselowski in the number of Twitter followers. With nearly an extra 100,000 followers, Gordon has a strong army behind him ready to defend his every move. Having a strong line of defense is always great, but that doesn’t define a hero.

Experience and success does, though. Four championships and 92 race wins later, Gordon has proven he has the finesse and expertise to get it done on the big scale level. In his early days, Gordon suffered the same fate as Keselowski: winning. Being victorious is always a great feeling, but too much of it can annoy fans. Between 1996-1998 Gordon claimed 33 race wins. That’s nearly a full season! Performing at a level like that can drive away fans left and right, but longevity and consistency can draw them right back.

Gordon’s image is also that much stronger than Keselowski’s. Jeff Gordon is a household name, and synonymous with going fast. While they both are founders of two important foundations, Gordon’s foundation for pediatric cancer research and the general well being of children globally tends to take a better place in the hearts of undecided race fans.

Comparisons

Off the track, both individuals are class acts and great people. As mentioned, both are charity founders, both are champions, both had fast risings to the spotlight. And how could I forget, both had their controversies. The perilous last few weeks BK has faced is nothing unfamiliar to Gordon.

Winning the Duel

My answer to the duel winner is simple. Who won more races this year?

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As a fan, I came into Sunday’s 500 mile brawl at Talladega hoping for the best, but expecting the worst. I was prepared for elimination, and was ready for BK’s year to end prematurely.

But I was happily wrong.

In those final laps, seeing that Deuce right there in the lead was beautiful.

It was evident through practices and qualifying that the Team Penske Ford Fusion had speed, and a lot of it. It looked like the dominoes started to fall early when Brad was relegated to the back of the field for an alternator change, because putting yourself in harm’s way is never a great idea at the unpredictable Talladega Superspeedway.

An early crash involving Keselowski looked like it could be the end of the day. It had to be a stomach-in-throat type feeling for everyone on the #2crew — except for the driver. When asked if he can drive the car back to the front, Brad didn’t hesitate to say yes.

And when it came time to get to the lead, it looked like a non-issue for the Redd’s Wicked Ale 2. Thanks to a great teammate in Joey Logano, BK was able to not only get in the pack, but move up to the front, and stay there.

Coming into a race knowing you have to win seems like a tough challenge, because it is. If it was easy, it wouldn’t be a challenge. But in those final laps, seeing that Deuce right there in the lead was beautiful. In the back of my mind, all I could say was when will it happen. Things like this rarely ever work out, and these Cinderella stories are usually shattered before they even get to happen. I thought the Green-White-Checkered finish would be the deciding factor in it all.

Again, I was happily wrong.

As the leader on a restart at the end of a restrictor plate race, you truly are a sitting duck. And with all the friends that Keselowski’s made lately, I knew he would have to work that much harder for the win. Watching those final two laps made me cringe silently. I was speechless, and I probably didn’t even blink once.

The clutch performance was unlike anything I’ve ever seen from Brad. And while it may have been great to watch from home, I’m sure it couldn’t be enjoyable to replicate in the drivers seat.

After the race, Brad was asked if this was the biggest win of his career. Responding with it’s equal to his first win, I would agree they are similar in magnitude. In a few short weeks, we’ll know if it was worth it or not.

But for now, Brad’s alive, and we can never count him out. Never.

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