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“Keep doing what you’re doing bud, we got what we got, just drive it!”

“Turn off all the switches except to the rear end cooler bud, let’s try to bring it home.”

Words of adversity echoed through the helmet of Brad Keselowski in his Discount Tire Mustang. Adversity has been something BK has had to face a number of times in his nationwide career in Vegas. Back in 2008, while racing my other hero, Mark Martin, and fellow Ford driver Carl Edwards, contact was made among the three drivers, costing BK his chance at winning his first career NNS race and a race at Vegas.

Fast forward to 2011. BK, in his Penske Challenger coming into turn one of the final lap, cuts a tire and hits the wall, giving up the lead to Mark Martin again — another heart breaker for Brad and the team.

Finally finally, finally the luck stays on the side of BK and the 22 team. Despite the alternator beginning to fail and the home town kid Kyle Busch hot on his tail, BK was able to hang on and win. This was BK’s 28th career win, and 97th career top 5 in 208 starts. BK was dominant throughout the day, leading 144 laps. It was truly great to see Brad and the 22 team bring home a win so early in the season.  They have now moved into a tie with the 54 car in owner’s points, showing the Nationwide series they are back and mean business in defending last year’s title. No matter what is thrown at the team, they learn to adapt, and they overcame. It makes you proud to be a fan of Team Penske. They truly have a never quit attitude. 

Congrats to BK, Jeremy Bollins and the whole Team Penske 22 team on the victory. Good luck to Ryan Blaney as he takes the wheel next week in Bristol.  

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I’ve said before that this was my first season to be involved in NASCAR, and I don’t see any season in the future being better than this one. I have had such a great time both on here and on Twitter, chatting with some of the nicest people I have ever had the pleasure of “meeting.”

I have had such a great time both on here and on Twitter, chatting with some of the nicest people I have ever had the pleasure of “meeting.”

I would like to thank all of the Brad Keselowski fans on Twitter that have welcomed me into their community. As cheesy as that sounds, everyone has been so friendly. It’s nice to find people that have similar interests, but I’ve realized that Brad is not the only thing we talk about. It’s gotten to the point where we actually care about how everyone is doing. If someone needs help, we try to help them without expecting anything in return. And when the race comes on, it’s been a lot of fun reacting to the strategies that unfold and the race results with other BK fans on Twitter.

I would like to thank all of those who have been a part of the Crew Challenge. I have truly enjoyed reading your stories, looking at your pictures, and (in some cases), taking the quizzes that you all have offered over the past few months. I wish I would have known about the Crew Challenge when it first began because I’ve had a great time writing for this site and commenting on everyone’s content.

I would like to thank the people who came up with the Crew Challenge and keep it functioning from week in and week out! I hope this is a recurring activity because I would love to be a part of it for an entire season.

And lastly, a huge thank you to Brad Keselowski for being the glue that brings us all together. All in all, this season has allowed me to talk to a lot of people that I now consider friends.

On that note, let’s hope BK can finish strong for all of us and get another win before the season ends.

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In 1969, Talladega Superspeedway opened its gates to the first NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race held in the location. It was originally named Alabama International Motor Speedway. It is a 2.66 mile oval, the largest oval NASCAR currently visits. With its high banks and long straightaways, Talladega provides some of the fastest racing in the NASCAR circuit. Many of the greats have won here. For the longest time, Talladega was considered the house of Earnhardt.

A pivotal moment came in 1987, when Bobby Allison’s car went airborne into the catch fence, and NASCAR took action to change things. Within one year, restrictor plate carburetors were added to the car.

In the beginning, due to high speeds, some drivers were concerned and did not want to race. Talladega is known for the “big one.” This is why it is considered such a wild card in the Chase. Anything can happen at any time. One small block can pile up half of the field. We’ve seen that happen in this race last year. The 1970s was a time of big growth for Talladega. This was around the time that victories were being measured in tenths of a second. In the 1980s, drivers began to hit 200 mph. A pivotal moment came in 1987, when Bobby Allison’s car went airborne into the catch fence, and NASCAR took action to change things. Within one year, restrictor plate carburetors were added to the car.

The addition of restrictor plates significantly changed the type of racing. Cars are forced into a draft and run about the same speed. The racing at Daytona and Talladega is all about the draft. This is why people say that anyone can win at these tracks. That’s because this is true. When you look at the race earlier this season, no one would have guessed the Front Row Motorsports tandem of Ragan and Gilliland would have stolen that race from someone like Carl Edwards, who is driving in much “better” equipment. A few years ago, it was discovered the cars could run in a two-car tandem to go faster and get to the front. The racing was exciting with a lot of passing. It even produced one of the closest finishes the track has ever seen. One of the more unique features of the track is that the start/finish line is located past the tri-oval almost to turn one.

From my personal experience, the track is very fan friendly. Being my first race experience, everything was new for me. My first steps onto the grounds were into the merchandise haulers. We saw the sponsor and manufacturer displays, as well as the food set ups, shadowed by the grandstands in the background. Once inside the track, it is an entirely humbling experience altogether. I remember stepping out into the grandstands and looking at the track as it towered to my left and right. The sheer size of the track is incredible. Along the many concession and souvenir stands in the track are displays of events that have happened at the track. One cool mural was of Brad’s burn out there in the spring of 2012.

In nine starts since the beginning of Brad’s Sprint Cup series career, he has two wins. Brad is one of only 10 drivers who has experienced their first Cup win at this super speedway. That win came when he drove for the smaller team of Phoenix Racing. His second came last year in Talladega’s spring race. In those nine starts, only three have results outside of the top 10. Brad has completed over 97% of the laps run at Talladega since he started racing there.

LAST TIME

David Ragan won in a major upset by being in the right place at the right time and having a great partner to push him toward the finish line. The under funded teams of Front Row Motorsports finished the race in the top two spots. Brad had an up and down kind of day. His car never seemed to be able to make it to the front. The race ran more than the first half of its laps, then the rain started up. At that point, Brad was running in one of the top spots, but it wasn’t meant to be. He finished a disappointing 15th and led only one lap the entire race. He’s got two wins at ‘Dega.

THIS TIME

Coming off of the win at Charlotte, you can almost expect a shake up in the championship this weekend in Alabama. Jimmie Johnson won two of the three restrictor plate races we’ve had this year (Daytona 500, Coke Zero 400). The current points leader, Matt Kenseth, is always potent when it comes to restrictor plate races. He won this race a year ago. As for Brad, he’s got momentum coming off of the win at Charlotte last week. Put that momentum with Brad’s record at Talladega, and I believe he has every chance to win again. It’s all a matter of missing the “Big One.” There’s no telling what will happen in this race.

But, then again, this is more than a race, this is Talladega.

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I’m not an angry person, nor am I a violent person. But my first reaction in response to this question if you were to have asked me this right after the incident would have been: Pop him one and be done with him. But would this show the results needed? Probably not.

My second and more strategic response would consist of a few different steps.

Pay back, getting even, call it what you will. I call it teaching someone a lesson who has done you wrong.

Step 1: Lurk

Be that pain in his side that just won’t go away. Wherever he is, be there. Get in his head, Brad. This will set-up the beginning of teaching him a lesson. Once you’re in his head, he will always be on edge, bound to make countless mistakes.

Step 2: Torture with Kindness

Be kind, be nice, be civil. We all know it will be in a sarcastic, smug way, but that will be what ticks him off the most. It doesn’t take much to get Rowdy in a grumpy mood, but this will certainly help.

Step 3: Beat Him

It doesn’t matter what position it is for: 30th, 15th, 10th, 5th or FIRST. It will eat away at Kyle Busch knowing that Brad is beating him in every way possible. No driver likes being beat, but no other driver handles defeat the way Kyle does. This will tie in with the “Get in his head” part of the strategy.

And if all else fails; and Kyle Busch doesn’t ruin things for himself with all of these things going on..

Step 4: Strike When He Least Expects It

I am not one for violence, and I would never wish actual harm on a driver. But Brad said it himself: there may be carnage. Brad’s guys have had to fix countless cars and trucks due to Kyle Busch, so maybe it’s time to reverse the roles and see how they feel about it. Pay back, getting even, call it what you will. I call it teaching someone a lesson who has done you wrong.

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A lot of these pieces have come from good friends who have been kind enough to send me these. The hats were all gifts, and the trading cards are from a very good friend who sends me these with every birthday/Christmas gift. These specific hero cards out of many some how stand out among the rest; these were a Christmas gift one year from a friend who I share a very uncommon driver interest with.

I’m very lucky to have such great friends in my life who think of me when they spot Brad memorabilia, and that’s why these pieces in particular are so special to me. The stand up Brad Keselowski is obviously a favorite because it’s very uncommon, and not everyone has one of these hanging around their house. It’s also from a weekend in Watkins Glen, NY, that was kind of monumental for me as a Keseowski fan: one of the first races I went into as an actual 2 fan.

Last, but certainly not least, are my certificate and truck sheet metal of my Twitter handle. Directly off of Brads “Twitter truck” from Daytona last year, I was able to obtain this piece by donating to the BKCFF.

I hope you all enjoy my mini-collection of special pieces!

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When the driver of the 18 M&Ms Toyota took the track on Friday, his luck on the Cup side showed itself: He had none. Perhaps the reason he was driving so recklessly on Saturday in the Nationwide series race was because he was ticked off that he had to start in the back on Sunday. Maybe he had a batch of M&Ms that were bad. Maybe his belts were tucked a little too tight.

The one thing that isn’t a maybe? He wrecked Brad Keselowski in the closing laps on purpose.

As much as the rest of us would like to see him stick Kyle in the fence sometimes, Brad has a little thing that Busch lacks: class.

What Brad Should Do

In my opinion, Brad should take him out in the Nationwide series to even up the standings in the owner’s championship. It isn’t right that Kyle took him out and cost Roger Penske a lot of points. I also personally think that Brad should put Kyle in a headlock, and make him stare at the two championship trophies Brad has. When I heard that Brad asked if intentional wrecking is violating the 100% rule in the cup series driver’s meeting last weekend, I couldn’t help but grin. I think Brad has every right in the world to attempt to get Kyle back for what he did. Personally, I’m sad that he’s not going to be in the Nationwide series race this weekend.

What Brad Will Do

As a champion, Brad knows it’s hard to win races. He knows that it’s even harder when you have people gunning for you. I don’t think that Brad will do anything — at least, not anything intentionally with a race car. As much as the rest of us would like to see him stick Kyle in the fence sometimes, Brad has a little thing that Busch lacks: class. Brad Keselowski is a master at headgames; that much was shown by his questioning in the driver’s meeting this weekend. While Brad has nothing to lose in the short term, he knows he has everything to lose in the long term. He doesn’t want to be marked as a “dirty driver.” He is known to be a potent driver: every spot you get, you have to earn it when racing Keselowski. But I think he won’t actually do anything unless another event happens in the future. If they’re racing incredibly hard, whether it be Cup or Nationwide, and Kyle refuses to give up what Brad wants, I wouldn’t blame him if he took matters into his own hands. Brad isn’t the type to intentionally wreck someone under caution. Busch is.

Mind games is where it will stay for now. 

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Starting with practices, top tier drivers were spinning out left and right all on their own with no warning, and most weren’t able to save themselves. Thankfully, Brad Keselowski was not one of those drivers. He kept the Blue Deuce in one piece Friday and Saturday. Practice results are as followed: Practice 1-5th, Practice 2-22nd, Final Practice-3rd. Qualifying 4th, Brad put the No.2 Miller Lite Ford in an excellent position to start off the race.

NATIONWIDE: KYLE STRIKES

Saturday’s Nationwide race was surprisingly eventful. The past few have not been much to cheer about. With drivers spinning out all on their own, there was always something going on. Brad kept the Double Deuce up front all afternoon, and was in solid position to pull of a sixth win this season. With Matt Kenseth sitting in first but suspected to be short on fuel, Brad was in prime position to steal one. That was until Kyle Busch pulled a fast one on him, and took him out of the race on the last lap. Brad was hooked into the outside wall on the straight away on the final lap, thus ending the day with a DNF and a very upset Keselowski.

We haven’t seen this type of fire from Brad in a while (and most haven’t seen me lose my cool like I did on Twitter Saturday afternoon, either).

We haven’t seen this type of fire from Brad in a while (and most haven’t seen me lose my cool like I did on Twitter Saturday afternoon, either). It was nice to see his passion burst through, but not on these terms. Brad does not like to be disrespected. He likes hard clean racing, and that is not what he endured on the last lap of Saturday’s Kansas Lottery 300. He expressed his displeasure post-race (only after sprinting it from his wrecked race car all the way to the infield care center, which probably was a cool down method considering he had nothing to run after) in an interview, stating he wouldn’t stand for being treated this way any longer.

“I got wrecked by a dirty driver,” said Braid. “There’s no other way of putting it. He’s cool with that. I’ve raced him really cool over the last year, to be respectful to him and try to repair our relationship. I’ve watched him wreck my trucks and cost them from winning races. He put me in the fence at Chicago in the truck race, and in Nationwide races he’s been pulling this crap. You know, it’s not going to last I can tell you that and I feel bad for the guys next to me because their going to have to fix his *stuff*, if that’s going to be part of racing then their going to have to deal with it.”

Brad sadly is not in the 2013 Chase for the Sprint Cup this season, but Kyle Busch is. Sitting in third in the points going into Sundays race — Brad stated that he has absolutely nothing to lose and Kyle has everything to lose.

“We were good,” Keselowski said. “We’ve had a solid year of racing each other and now we’ve got war. He started it and he can have fun with the results.”

We all know how Brad Keselowski operates. He files these incidents away, and remembers them at the perfect times. I’m glad we have a smart driver who makes strategic decisions. It shows how classy he is while also standing up for what he believes is right.

CUP: SO CLOSE

Continuing with the intense weekend, Brad decided to speak up during the drivers’ meeting Sunday morning. He asked a legitimate question about intentional wrecking, obviously an attempt at getting into someone’s head. Whether that worked or not, you can be the judge!

With Brad starting in the top 5 for Sundays Hollywood Casino 400, it was safe to say the 2 was going to be strong. With an edgy start to the race with a caution on the first lap, Brad come over the radio and said, “It’s gonna be one of those type of races, Joe!” to Spotter Joey Meier. He right about that!

Staying up front from the start of the race, Brad randomly came to pit road before green flag pit stops had set in because of a vibration. Assuming it was an issue with the tire, Paul told Brad the tires looked completely fine. (He seemed to only have a problem with a vibration before a pit stop was needed as this vibration was felt one or two other times throughout the race). Right after this unplanned pit stop, a caution was brought out, setting the Miller Lite Ford back to around 30th, laps down. Many thought being set back that far (right where Kyle Busch was running) would make things interesting. But Brad’s cool was kept and with some hard work, and Paul Wolfe’s amazing, gutsy pit strategy the Blue Deuce was back up front in first place in no time. Running back in the pack was certainly not where the 2 wanted to be. Brad had come over the radio while running back there and said, “Dude, I’m tellin ya, I have no straightaway speed. It’s ridiculous”. So when the Deuce was back out front, it was a completely different car, thank goodness! On different strategy than everyone else, Brad was looking pretty stout.

Then smoke was spotted — but it wasn’t a blown engine. Joey came over the radio and told Brad, “You’re going to see smoke up here, but just ignore it it’s coming from outside the track.” The cameras finally caught where the smoke was coming from: someone had set a bush on fire. A caution was finally called because of visibility issues, putting Brad in one of many restart scenarios. Up against Kevin Harvick (eventual race winner and possibly the strongest car all day) Brad was able to take off with ease on every restart. Out front after quite a few restarts with a hefty lead,(And just when I was feeling goosebumps, that this could possibly be the day) Kevin was slowly reeling the 2 car in, and all of a sudden, the 29 just flew by Brad. He was sadly out of gas: a gutsy call that didn’t pan out like the team had wanted. This set the pace for the rest of the race for Brad and the team. Brad came over the radio to the team and praised their hard work, and said it just wasn’t meant to be this time. Although he did make up spots from where running out of fuel set him back to, Brad finished the race in 17th. It wasn’t the day the Miller Lite team wanted, but what can you do? Move onto Charlotte and hope for better!.

I think it’s safe to say the last races of the season, be it Cup, Nationwide or Trucks, will be ones to watch with the fire we seen from Brad this weekend. 
 

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