Brad Keselowski focused on good finish with JR Motorsports, not Denny Hamlin
By Bob Pockrass - Associate Editor
Thursday, November 19, 2009
Brad Keselowski will make his final start for JR Motorsports in Saturday's NASCAR Nationwide Ford 300 at Homestead-Miami Speedway.
David Griffin
NASCAR Scene
Related story: Denny Hamlin vows to retaliate against Brad Keselowski
MIAMI – Brad Keselowski says he enters his final race of the 2009 Nationwide Series season – and his final race with JR Motorsports – thinking about finishing second in the series standings, not Denny Hamlin.
Keselowski is 60 points behind Roush Fenway Racing’s Carl Edwards for the second spot in the point standings going into the Ford 300 on Saturday at Homestead-Miami Speedway, but CJM Racing’s Hamlin has vowed to retaliate against him for contact in recent races.
“Is second a big deal to me? Of course, it is,” Keselowski said prior to signing autographs Wednesday in Miami Beach. “Certainly, I would have liked to win it this year, but things just didn’t work out. We had an awesome season.”
And what about Hamlin if he’s on his bumper?
“I would not put that at the top of my [worry] list,” Keselowski said. “That’s probably the best way to put it. The top of my list is finishing out the year getting a good solid run and continuing the streak of top-10s and top-fives I’ve got.”
That streak is pretty incredible. After opening the year with a best finish of 12th in the first four races, Keselowski has had a great final 30 races with 22 top-five finishes and 28 top-10s. In his last 15 races, he has 13 top-five finishes.
Last year, Clint Bowyer won the title with 14 top-five finishes – eight fewer than what Keselowski has this year. With his current point total, Keselowski would have won the title in six of the last seven years (when there were 34 or 35 races in the season).
“I feel like if I could duplicate this season next year, I would win the championship,” said Keselowski, who is 250 points behind soon-to-be-champion Kyle Busch.
Of course, next year Keselowski won’t be driving for JR Motorsports. After the Ford 300, Keselowski will be a full-time driver for Penske Racing. He has already taken over driving duties for Penske’s No. 12 Cup car and will drive full time for the organization in both the Cup and Nationwide series next year.
“It’s bittersweet,” Keselowski said about going into his final race for JR Motorsports. “I have a great opportunity ahead of me. I can’t tell you how great an opportunity it is. At the same token, I don’t have a lot of friends outside of racing, and I tend to make my friends on the teams that I have. So to leave the team I have is essentially to leave my friends.
“That’s the hard part. You feel like you’re leaving all your friends behind. But in this sport, if you’re not moving forward, you’re moving backward. If I had stayed doing the same thing next year, it would have been bad for my career. So I had to make a move.”
Popular News
-
PRESEASON PREDICTIONS: Which Sprint Cup star will snap his long winless streak first?
Comments (188) -
For Dale Earnhardt Jr., life as an Earnhardt is not easy, especially when you're not winning
Comments (139) -
Jeff Owens: Should RCR’s black No. 3 return to NASCAR’s Cup series?
Comments (120) -
Hendrick Motorsports’ Mark Martin more prepared mentally and physically for 2010
Comments (105) -
Dale Earnhardt Inc. plans for Jeffrey Earnhardt still in flux
Comments (96)
Recent Headlines
-
SEASON PREVIEW: Mike Skinner optimistic about 2010 prospects
Comments (1) -
SEASON PREVIEW: Camping World Truck Series top-20 rankings
Comments (3) -
Josh Wise to drive in Nationwide Series for Specialty Racing
Comments (2) -
HBO’s ‘24/7 Jimmie Johnson’ documentary series expected to shift into high gear tonight
Comments (27) -
SEASON PREVIEW: Roush Fenway Racing’s Carl Edwards hungry to regain place among Sprint Cup’s elite
Comments (15)
Poll PositionView All
After qualifying and the Budweiser Shootout, who is the favorite to win the Daytona 500?
Promotions
-
Tweet your thoughts about each race and join the conversation with other fans.
-
Drive an authentic NASCAR Sprint Cup car at the NASCAR Racing Experience.
Comments
25 responses to "Brad Keselowski focused on good finish with JR Motorsports, not Denny Hamlin". Post a Comment.
Mtclimber said:
Nov 19, 2009 at 2:56 PMI wonder if Kyle passed his black hat off to BK and they have the same head size? Have you all noticed the lack of KB bashing since the BK slaming started? It's all the same "stuff", just a different sheriff.
Report as AbuseReport Abuse
This feature is intended to allow you to report comments that are abusive in terms of foul/vulgar language, harassment, racial/religious prejudice and any words/phrases of a related nature. This feature should not be used to report users who simply make a comment about your favorite driver, with which you do not agree. Commenting is a forum in which we can all express our opinions. Reporting abuse of others should be done with this in mind.
» Confirm Abuse ReportTHEBIGKESELOWSKI said:
Nov 19, 2009 at 3:51 PMWho cares about the black hat? Sr. didn't. He'd rather win cause it paid better and I think Brad sees it the same way. When all this payback comes back his way he's going to take it like a man and dish it right back out. Can't wait to see what kind of pitiful attempt at revenge Denny Whaaa-mlin is going to make this weekend!
Report as AbuseReport Abuse
This feature is intended to allow you to report comments that are abusive in terms of foul/vulgar language, harassment, racial/religious prejudice and any words/phrases of a related nature. This feature should not be used to report users who simply make a comment about your favorite driver, with which you do not agree. Commenting is a forum in which we can all express our opinions. Reporting abuse of others should be done with this in mind.
» Confirm Abuse Reportmarko said:
Nov 19, 2009 at 4:29 PMI think he is trying not to get to him, You know its coming, What is so funny is he plays so cool about it but every interveiw after the fueds you can see mule teeth is scared to dead that something is going to happen and someone after him. It's coming and I just mule teeth doesn't get hurt when it does.
Report as AbuseReport Abuse
This feature is intended to allow you to report comments that are abusive in terms of foul/vulgar language, harassment, racial/religious prejudice and any words/phrases of a related nature. This feature should not be used to report users who simply make a comment about your favorite driver, with which you do not agree. Commenting is a forum in which we can all express our opinions. Reporting abuse of others should be done with this in mind.
» Confirm Abuse Reportmarko said:
Nov 19, 2009 at 4:32 PMWhat is really funny is Special K is getting all this attention now and after this weekend he will become just better than a start and park. I hope that his deal is enough to get his teeth filed down.
Report as AbuseReport Abuse
This feature is intended to allow you to report comments that are abusive in terms of foul/vulgar language, harassment, racial/religious prejudice and any words/phrases of a related nature. This feature should not be used to report users who simply make a comment about your favorite driver, with which you do not agree. Commenting is a forum in which we can all express our opinions. Reporting abuse of others should be done with this in mind.
» Confirm Abuse Reportpj88 said:
Nov 19, 2009 at 4:40 PMBrad can take it like a man,but I'm doubting Hamlin can wreck him without some help from KB
Report as AbuseReport Abuse
This feature is intended to allow you to report comments that are abusive in terms of foul/vulgar language, harassment, racial/religious prejudice and any words/phrases of a related nature. This feature should not be used to report users who simply make a comment about your favorite driver, with which you do not agree. Commenting is a forum in which we can all express our opinions. Reporting abuse of others should be done with this in mind.
» Confirm Abuse Reportmarko said:
Nov 19, 2009 at 4:46 PMPJ88 what do you think KB is going to ride along with Denny after the first pit stop to tell him how to do it since the championship will be locked up. well i guess you have a point it would be good to have a front row seat for it.
Report as AbuseReport Abuse
This feature is intended to allow you to report comments that are abusive in terms of foul/vulgar language, harassment, racial/religious prejudice and any words/phrases of a related nature. This feature should not be used to report users who simply make a comment about your favorite driver, with which you do not agree. Commenting is a forum in which we can all express our opinions. Reporting abuse of others should be done with this in mind.
» Confirm Abuse Reportandee said:
Nov 19, 2009 at 4:47 PMThe way to get top fives is to spin the cars that are faster than you ,as per#11#12#60.Keep an eye in the mirror so you do not have so many surprises next year.
Report as AbuseReport Abuse
This feature is intended to allow you to report comments that are abusive in terms of foul/vulgar language, harassment, racial/religious prejudice and any words/phrases of a related nature. This feature should not be used to report users who simply make a comment about your favorite driver, with which you do not agree. Commenting is a forum in which we can all express our opinions. Reporting abuse of others should be done with this in mind.
» Confirm Abuse ReportMtclimber said:
Nov 19, 2009 at 4:51 PMYa'll should keep your smack to talent, or lack of and not personal stuff like physical atributes. Once they dawn their helmets they look all the same, it's their talent, style or behavior that we should comment on.
Report as AbuseReport Abuse
This feature is intended to allow you to report comments that are abusive in terms of foul/vulgar language, harassment, racial/religious prejudice and any words/phrases of a related nature. This feature should not be used to report users who simply make a comment about your favorite driver, with which you do not agree. Commenting is a forum in which we can all express our opinions. Reporting abuse of others should be done with this in mind.
» Confirm Abuse ReportSheilaLovesNASCAR said:
Nov 19, 2009 at 5:09 PM#8, the ones commenting like that should all start out with "in my opinion". That's all it is. And who cares what they think? They should park Denny if he tries anything. At least Brad is a Nationwide driver, instead of a Cup driver trying to prove he can win against the "little guys". You're supposed to come up through Nationwide. Not go back down to win.
Report as AbuseReport Abuse
This feature is intended to allow you to report comments that are abusive in terms of foul/vulgar language, harassment, racial/religious prejudice and any words/phrases of a related nature. This feature should not be used to report users who simply make a comment about your favorite driver, with which you do not agree. Commenting is a forum in which we can all express our opinions. Reporting abuse of others should be done with this in mind.
» Confirm Abuse ReportWerner said:
Nov 19, 2009 at 5:33 PMCup drivers have always raced in the NW series as far back as the history goes...this is nothing new...even the HOF'er Earnhardt Sr ran his share of Busch races...i imagine Jr fans don't have a problem with him running NW races....
Report as AbuseReport Abuse
This feature is intended to allow you to report comments that are abusive in terms of foul/vulgar language, harassment, racial/religious prejudice and any words/phrases of a related nature. This feature should not be used to report users who simply make a comment about your favorite driver, with which you do not agree. Commenting is a forum in which we can all express our opinions. Reporting abuse of others should be done with this in mind.
» Confirm Abuse ReportMtclimber said:
Nov 19, 2009 at 6:04 PM#9 I was commenting in on comments about BK's having mule teeth smack talk. Yeah I guess that would be an opinion, but it's kinda rude to hammer him about his facial features. Lets keep it to driving talent smack was my point.
Report as AbuseReport Abuse
This feature is intended to allow you to report comments that are abusive in terms of foul/vulgar language, harassment, racial/religious prejudice and any words/phrases of a related nature. This feature should not be used to report users who simply make a comment about your favorite driver, with which you do not agree. Commenting is a forum in which we can all express our opinions. Reporting abuse of others should be done with this in mind.
» Confirm Abuse Reportracinghcr said:
Nov 19, 2009 at 6:42 PMI hope all those drivers "KRAZY K" has put in the wall remember how many times he has purposely wrecked them,only to play stupid in post race interviews,even saying that it was the fault of those he wrecked ????!! Playbacks will be Hell for "Krazy K" but no one has ever earned them more!! Carl--you owe the idiot severals times over--don't be shy--just say: "It's just rac'in" and go on!!
Report as AbuseReport Abuse
This feature is intended to allow you to report comments that are abusive in terms of foul/vulgar language, harassment, racial/religious prejudice and any words/phrases of a related nature. This feature should not be used to report users who simply make a comment about your favorite driver, with which you do not agree. Commenting is a forum in which we can all express our opinions. Reporting abuse of others should be done with this in mind.
» Confirm Abuse ReportRainier said:
Nov 19, 2009 at 7:06 PMWerner....Cup drivers have always raced in the NW series, that's true, but other than the last 4 years, when have they competed for and won the championship? This is a new phenomenon. The championship used to be left to the NW drivers. I think it was Harvick that started this silly trend.
Report as AbuseReport Abuse
This feature is intended to allow you to report comments that are abusive in terms of foul/vulgar language, harassment, racial/religious prejudice and any words/phrases of a related nature. This feature should not be used to report users who simply make a comment about your favorite driver, with which you do not agree. Commenting is a forum in which we can all express our opinions. Reporting abuse of others should be done with this in mind.
» Confirm Abuse Reportdeyanak said:
Nov 19, 2009 at 7:58 PMas for bk, put him in the wall....
Report as AbuseReport Abuse
This feature is intended to allow you to report comments that are abusive in terms of foul/vulgar language, harassment, racial/religious prejudice and any words/phrases of a related nature. This feature should not be used to report users who simply make a comment about your favorite driver, with which you do not agree. Commenting is a forum in which we can all express our opinions. Reporting abuse of others should be done with this in mind.
» Confirm Abuse Reportjbbigrod said:
Nov 19, 2009 at 9:59 PMSo Krashlouski is concentrating on 2nd place. Does THAT mean he is going to Krash Carl and gain the position? Carl better keep a watch out and get him first. Hopefully Denny will do it BEFORE Krash gets to ANYONE. . . . Krash IS a Cup driver number 8. So what is YOUR problem? You are getting to sound like a broken record. Trouble is, you probably don't get back to these threads to see WHO has answered you, so you never learn. Time to quit about WHO is WHAT driver and let them race. IF they bring their CUP car into NW to race against the others, THEN you will have a legitimate complaint. Otherwise you have nothing. How about Mark Martin having the MOST NW wins? HE WAS a Cup driver for most of them, I'll bet. Don't car if he was or wasn't. He used NW/Busch cars when he was there, so he fought for every win just like everyone else.
Report as AbuseReport Abuse
This feature is intended to allow you to report comments that are abusive in terms of foul/vulgar language, harassment, racial/religious prejudice and any words/phrases of a related nature. This feature should not be used to report users who simply make a comment about your favorite driver, with which you do not agree. Commenting is a forum in which we can all express our opinions. Reporting abuse of others should be done with this in mind.
» Confirm Abuse Reportdaviclar38 said:
Nov 19, 2009 at 10:17 PMBrad may have caused some discord among other drivers here lately but the bottom line is he would have won the Nationwide Series if it hadn't been for very experienced cup drivers with multitudes of sponsorship money racing a full schedule. I think it's great to have cup drivers race the NW, it's good for the sport, just not all the races on the schedule to allow the regulars to build their programs and win championships. Earnhardt, Martin, Stewart, Gordon and many other cup regulars never ran a full NW/Busch schedule to win a minor league championship! And I think it's about time Nascar stepped in and ruled that cup drivers can race in only 25-30 races on the schedule in the NW series.
Report as AbuseReport Abuse
This feature is intended to allow you to report comments that are abusive in terms of foul/vulgar language, harassment, racial/religious prejudice and any words/phrases of a related nature. This feature should not be used to report users who simply make a comment about your favorite driver, with which you do not agree. Commenting is a forum in which we can all express our opinions. Reporting abuse of others should be done with this in mind.
» Confirm Abuse Reportdaviclar38 said:
Nov 19, 2009 at 10:19 PMI ment to finish my last comment by saying "It would be good for the sport"
Report as AbuseReport Abuse
This feature is intended to allow you to report comments that are abusive in terms of foul/vulgar language, harassment, racial/religious prejudice and any words/phrases of a related nature. This feature should not be used to report users who simply make a comment about your favorite driver, with which you do not agree. Commenting is a forum in which we can all express our opinions. Reporting abuse of others should be done with this in mind.
» Confirm Abuse Reportclintonpillow said:
Nov 19, 2009 at 11:00 PMI say that there should be no more than five cup drivers in a Nationwode race, and then they should be decided by all wantabe's to put their name in the hat for a draw of the five, and no cup driver should be able to run in no more than five races in a year, then we will see some of the younger drivers come up through the ranks. But NASCAR will never go for something kile that, it's too simple to get new drivers into the sport.
Report as AbuseReport Abuse
This feature is intended to allow you to report comments that are abusive in terms of foul/vulgar language, harassment, racial/religious prejudice and any words/phrases of a related nature. This feature should not be used to report users who simply make a comment about your favorite driver, with which you do not agree. Commenting is a forum in which we can all express our opinions. Reporting abuse of others should be done with this in mind.
» Confirm Abuse Reportlhsjrf said:
Nov 19, 2009 at 11:21 PMThe poor cup drivers. They can't drive if someone races them hard.
Report as AbuseReport Abuse
This feature is intended to allow you to report comments that are abusive in terms of foul/vulgar language, harassment, racial/religious prejudice and any words/phrases of a related nature. This feature should not be used to report users who simply make a comment about your favorite driver, with which you do not agree. Commenting is a forum in which we can all express our opinions. Reporting abuse of others should be done with this in mind.
» Confirm Abuse ReportKenL88 said:
Nov 20, 2009 at 1:22 AMYou go Brad Hamlin needs to go to Joe Gibbs charm school where they sent Kyle this year.
Report as AbuseReport Abuse
This feature is intended to allow you to report comments that are abusive in terms of foul/vulgar language, harassment, racial/religious prejudice and any words/phrases of a related nature. This feature should not be used to report users who simply make a comment about your favorite driver, with which you do not agree. Commenting is a forum in which we can all express our opinions. Reporting abuse of others should be done with this in mind.
» Confirm Abuse Reportmarko said:
Nov 20, 2009 at 8:43 AMThere is not any need for in my thoughts about his facial features when it is true that he has Mr. Ed clearly going on. My need point this punk is over due like 10 year late libary book. No one in the Garage likes him, Rick Hendrick didn't want him, Dale Jr. Doesn't care if he comes or goes. You will see next year that the kid will be just better than the start and parks next year. Just remember the saying if you can't beat'em wreck, Somebody taught krash well on that one.
Report as AbuseReport Abuse
This feature is intended to allow you to report comments that are abusive in terms of foul/vulgar language, harassment, racial/religious prejudice and any words/phrases of a related nature. This feature should not be used to report users who simply make a comment about your favorite driver, with which you do not agree. Commenting is a forum in which we can all express our opinions. Reporting abuse of others should be done with this in mind.
» Confirm Abuse Reportmarko said:
Nov 20, 2009 at 8:46 AM#9 why should nascar park Hamlin or Edwards or anyone else he has wrecked over the year, Nascar does not want to get involed with it and when someone gets hurt it will be on Nascar.
Report as AbuseReport Abuse
This feature is intended to allow you to report comments that are abusive in terms of foul/vulgar language, harassment, racial/religious prejudice and any words/phrases of a related nature. This feature should not be used to report users who simply make a comment about your favorite driver, with which you do not agree. Commenting is a forum in which we can all express our opinions. Reporting abuse of others should be done with this in mind.
» Confirm Abuse ReportJADEDRUCKUS said:
Nov 20, 2009 at 9:05 PMIf Brad Kesolowski isn't worried about Denny Hamlin he sure is targeting him week after week..it is kinda pathetic how tries to play the good guy when he(BK) seems to be the dirtiest driver in NASCAR..Last week he went out of his way to take Denny out!!
Report as AbuseReport Abuse
This feature is intended to allow you to report comments that are abusive in terms of foul/vulgar language, harassment, racial/religious prejudice and any words/phrases of a related nature. This feature should not be used to report users who simply make a comment about your favorite driver, with which you do not agree. Commenting is a forum in which we can all express our opinions. Reporting abuse of others should be done with this in mind.
» Confirm Abuse Reportjbbigrod said:
Nov 20, 2009 at 11:28 PMAnd he did it twice to Carl Edwards. THAT was enough for me. I loathe jerks like that. Always have and always will.
Report as AbuseReport Abuse
This feature is intended to allow you to report comments that are abusive in terms of foul/vulgar language, harassment, racial/religious prejudice and any words/phrases of a related nature. This feature should not be used to report users who simply make a comment about your favorite driver, with which you do not agree. Commenting is a forum in which we can all express our opinions. Reporting abuse of others should be done with this in mind.
» Confirm Abuse Reportgwen_susie388 said:
Nov 21, 2009 at 12:28 PMI hope Brad runs well and will get 2nd place in the Championship. Especially since he is third in points against two full time cup drivers. As for Brad and Denny, I don't expect anything as far as wrecking tonight. I have been wrong before though. If anything does happen we probably won't know it. The truck race was all about Kyle Busch last night and if Darrel Waltrip is an announcer tonight like he was last night it will be all about Kyle and Darrel! After Kyle was black flagged and was two laps down, all they could talk about was if he could get one lap back, then he could get the other one back and could still win that race! Time to turn that radio on!
Report as AbuseReport Abuse
This feature is intended to allow you to report comments that are abusive in terms of foul/vulgar language, harassment, racial/religious prejudice and any words/phrases of a related nature. This feature should not be used to report users who simply make a comment about your favorite driver, with which you do not agree. Commenting is a forum in which we can all express our opinions. Reporting abuse of others should be done with this in mind.
» Confirm Abuse Report