Brad Keselowski gained attention, success during Nationwide run

By Lee Montgomery - Associate Editor
Thursday, November 26, 2009
JR Motorsports' Brad Keselowski enjoyed a strong Nationwide Series season and was voted the series most popular driver.

JR Motorsports' Brad Keselowski enjoyed a strong Nationwide Series season and was voted the series most popular driver.

David Griffin
NASCAR Scene

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JR Motorsports driver Brad Keselowski made headlines during the 2009 NASCAR Nationwide Series season, but often it wasn’t in a good way.

Keselowski became somewhat infamous for his battles with Denny Hamlin, a feud that began at Lowe’s Motor Speedway in 2008. It carried over with several run-ins between the two, and the 2009 season ended with Hamlin vowing to spin Keselowski, which he did in the finale at Homestead-Miami Speedway.

Keselowski also caught flak from some other drivers for his aggressive style, a style that helped him win at Memphis late in the year.

That victory was his fourth of the season and came after his announcement that he was leaving the Dale Earnhardt Jr.-owned team to join Penske Racing and run the full schedules in the Sprint Cup and Nationwide series next year.

After an incredibly slow start – Keselowski finished 12th or worse in the first four races – he rebounded with a strong season. In the last 31 races, Keselowski finished outside the top 10 only three times: an 11th at Darlington, an 18th at Chicago and a 12th at Homestead.

Keselowski wound up with the four victories, 22 top-five and 28 top-10 finishes to cap his tenure at JRM.

“The last two-and-a-half years with JR Motorsports have been the time of my life,” Keselowski said at the Nationwide awards banquet. “It’s kind of like a sappy Hallmark card. I’ve had a lot of fun, won a few races, made some great friends on our team. I’m really going to miss them moving forward next year.

“I’m really looking forward to everything coming at us. And looking back at what we’ve done, I’m really proud of everybody and happy to be where I’m at.”

Driver:
Brad Keselowski
Age: 25
Team: JR Motorsports
Finishing position: Third
2009 stats: 35 starts, 4 victories, 22 top-fives, 28 top-10s, 2 poles
Years in Nationwide: 3-plus seasons
Career stats: 104 starts, 6 wins, 33 top-fives, 53 top-10s, 3 poles
 

Comments

6 responses to "Brad Keselowski gained attention, success during Nationwide run ". Post a Comment.
  1. 1
    amalycke said:
    Nov 26, 2009 at 9:09 AM

    Whatever, who thinks Sterling Marlin would be a great fit at Gunselman Motorsports in 2010??? Two laid back folks that race whenever they want to ... haha

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  2. 2
    dale-jr-is-the-greatest-driver-alive said:
    Nov 26, 2009 at 10:39 AM

    great job BK man you were awesome this year cant wait till you tear it up in sprint next year

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  3. 3
    jbbigrod said:
    Nov 27, 2009 at 2:30 AM

    I can't wait till the drivers tear HIM up in Cup next year, AND in NW too, IF he keeps driving stupid again like this year and crashing everyone out to get his wins.

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  4. 4
    Werner said:
    Nov 27, 2009 at 6:41 PM

    one thing to be famous...it's not desireable to be infamous...not when you're dealing with the lives of your fellow drivers...

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  5. 5
    rmdunn3 said:
    Nov 27, 2009 at 9:05 PM

    It really baffles me as to what makes someone the most popular driver. I know it's the fans, but I would hope that they are voting their driver in because he is an awesome driver, honorable person, and pleasant in his interviews, not berating the other drivers, etc.
    I would have liked to seen Justin Algier be the most popular.....maybe next year.

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  6. 6
    timotheous12001 said:
    Nov 30, 2009 at 6:49 PM

    he made attenion by running over somebody every week

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