NASCAR Brad Keselowski

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Smith Starts Season Off Right with Daytona Victory

Regan Smith, driver of the #7 Ragu Chevrolet, celebrates in Victory Lane after winning during the NASCAR Nationwide Series DRIVE4COPD 300 at Daytona International Speedway on February 22, 2014  Photo - Tom Pennington/Getty Images
Regan Smith, driver of the #7 Ragu Chevrolet, celebrates in Victory Lane after winning during the NASCAR Nationwide Series DRIVE4COPD 300 at Daytona International Speedway on February 22, 2014
Photo – Tom Pennington/Getty Images

A somewhat surprising outcome to the Drive4COPD 300 featured the outside lane pushing Regan Smith to victory. All day, the outside lane struggled to keep up with the inside lane. The last restart changed everything as Smith was able to stay door-to-door with Brad Keselowski on the inside lane. Smith’s win was the first for a Nationwide regular in the season opener since 2001 when Randy LaJoie took the checkered flag.

If anyone were to say Regan Smith would have ended up in victory lane at the beginning of the race, they would have met weird looks. Smith was not a contender early. It wasn’t until a bit past the halfway point when he was able make it to the front.

Kyle Busch seemed the favorite early as he led for most the race. When Smith took the lead on Lap 76, it was from Busch. Smith and Keselowski seemed the only two drivers able to keep Busch away from the top spot. Continue reading

#3 Best Duel Moment – Brian Keselowski Makes the 2011 Daytona 500

Brian Keselowski's car awaits the start of the 2011 Daytona 500 Photo - Kyle Magda
Brian Keselowski’s car awaits the start of the 2011 Daytona 500
Photo – Kyle Magda

Brian Keselowski was a long shot to make it into the 2011 Daytona 500.

He and his No. 92 team posted the slowest qualifying speed on pole day and the team had a lot of work ahead of them. Keselowski started 24th in the second Gatorade Duel, the last position in the field.  His brother Brad was competing in the same duel.

Brian ran in the back for most of the race.

A popular way of racing during 2011 Speedweeks was the new tandem draft, when two cars would hook up and push each other around the track.

With 21 laps remaining, Brad got a bump from Todd Bodine and sent the No. 2 Miller Lite Dodge spinning. This forced Brad to come to pit road to fix some damage and start in the back on the ensuing restart. He happened to find his brother and the two stormed their way to the front.

With Brad’s help, Brian made the Daytona 500 by securing the second transfer spot with a fifth-place finish. After failing to make a race in three tries in 2010, Brian Keselowski finally made his Sprint Cup Series début in the 2011 Daytona 500.

A few days after the Duels, Brian received funding from Discount Tire, who came on as a sponsor for the No. 92 Dodge.

Brian started 12th in the Daytona 500, but the “Big One” took him out on lap 28, relegating him to a 41st place finish.

2011 Gatorade Duel #2 Top Ten

#31 Jeff Burton (won by. 005 seconds)

#33 Clint Bowyer

#15 Michael Waltrip (got first transfer spot)

#18 Kyle Busch

#92 Brian Keselowski (grabbed second transfer spot)

#1 Jamie McMurray

#2 Brad Keselowski (helped his brother make the Daytona 500)

#11 Denny Hamlin

#56 Martin Truex Jr.

#99 Carl Edwards (finished second in the 2011 Daytona 500)

Team Penske Wants Their Name Back in the 2014 Title Fight

TeamPenske

Following a very strong 2012 came a rather disappointing 2013 for Team Penske. Brad Keselowski wasn’t able to back his championship up as he didn’t even qualify for the Chase. Joey Logano came in and was most successful for the team, but he wasn’t able to save the championship from falling out of Team Penske’s hands. With 2013 behind Team Penske, they now have their eyes set on returning to winning ways in 2014. The opportunities are endless for the team as their young gun duo has the ability to be incredibly successful this season. Continue reading