Keselowski visited Penske but says he was never extended an offer
By Bob Pockrass - Associate Editor
Friday, August 29, 2008
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FONTANA, Calif. - Brad Keselowski said he visited Penske Racing last week but did not have an offer on the table to drive the NASCAR Sprint Cup No. 12 car next season.
“I just went down and said, ‘Hi,’ and checked everything out, looked at their beautiful building,” Keselowski said Friday at Auto Club Speedway. “I only live like a mile from the place. I heard it’s a cool shop, and I had to check it out.”
Keselowski said the Penske officials asked him what his contract situation was, and Keselowski said he was committed to JR Motorsports. Penske Racing is looking for a replacement for Ryan Newman. Penske test driver David Stremme is considered one of the candidates for that ride.
“I basically told them flat out that I have a contract to drive for JR Motorsports, and I’m committed to it,” Keselowski said. “The biggest thing is I’ve got a good ride. We won last week, so it has to be pretty good. We’re winning races and we’re happy, so why [mess] with that?
“That’s not to say anything bad about their organization. It’s just that where I am at right now is going pretty good so why would you change that?”
Team co-owner Dale Earnhardt Jr. said Keselowski did ask him for advice.
“He came and told me he’s having a couple of meetings with Roger and he didn’t know what to do and he just needed somebody to chat with, tell him what was right,” Earnhardt Jr. said. “I told him I could tell him what I thought but Rick [Hendrick] would be the best person to talk to. Sometimes with me, when you talk to Rick, even if he wants you to work for him, he’ll sort of help you and he takes the agenda out of it. I know he would give Brad good advice.
“I think Brad did the right thing. He’s got a great opportunity where he’s at. He’s running great with the Nationwide team. I basically said, ‘Would you want to trade where you are and the opportunities with Rick in the future at the Cup level for where you could be with Roger? Do you want to trade that? Would you trade it? Does that feel comfortable to you?’ I guess he made up his mind.”
And what if JR Motorsports wanted to go Cup racing?
“If he could get the deal with Rick, he would have a chance to run better,” Earnhardt Jr. said. “I would hope that that happens for him. I told him that if I was building a Cup team, that I would tell him to go drive for Roger.”
- Mentioned Drivers:
- Brad Keselowski
Comments
8 responses to "Keselowski visited Penske but says he was never extended an offer"
Jimmy Rouse said:
Aug 29, 2008 at 6:01 PMHope JR brings him 2 cup
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» Confirm Abuse ReportTimothy Schultze said:
Aug 29, 2008 at 6:35 PMWord has it there grooming him for the 5 car at Hendrick Motor sports in 2010 after all the Jr motor sports is in partnership with Mr Rick Hendrick meaning he OWNS part of that operation.
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» Confirm Abuse Reportpatricia jordan said:
Aug 30, 2008 at 5:19 AMi would love to see brad have great sucess any where he drives but i think he needs to remain in bush series and build on his expierences,some guys are pulled from bush to fast...
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» Confirm Abuse Reportbeth emerson said:
Aug 30, 2008 at 6:56 AMBrad will remain with JR motorsports through next year with the Nationwide series. But in 2010 look for him to drive the 5 car for Jr and hendrick in the cup. For now they are parteners in nationwide but look for Jr and Hendrick to merge with the cup side in a couple of years.
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» Confirm Abuse ReportMelissa Johnson said:
Aug 30, 2008 at 8:11 AMI hope Brad continues in the N.W series until next yr & moves into the #5 cup car either part time or full time. I would hate to loose such a great talanted guy to a looser team like Penske. GOO WIN THE N.W CHAMPIONSHIP BRAD!!!
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» Confirm Abuse ReportMark Ernst said:
Aug 30, 2008 at 8:19 AMMark Martin made the comment about running a part time schedule in 2010. Would Brad be fine with that? Too early ot tell. 2010 is when the Nationwide goes to their cot car. You can see Brad getting better each week. Another year under his belt will make him a much better driver. He has probably one of the best crew chiefs in the business. He will keep him focused on the big picture.
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» Confirm Abuse Reportsally whan said:
Aug 30, 2008 at 10:59 AMBRAD,YOU ARE A GREAT DIVER AND ARE GOIING PLACES.I REALLY DO THINK THAT IF YOU STAY IN N.W. SERIES ONE MORE YEAR YOU WILL BE READY IN EVERWAY FOR THE NUMBER 5 NEXT YEAR AND JUST KEEP WINNING RACES AND GO FOR IT..YOU AND JR MAKE A GREAT TIME AND RICK BEING THERE TO HELP YOU IS ONE GREAT PERSON FOR YOU TO TALK TO YOU.YOU HAVE TWO OF THE GREAT TO TALK TO YOU AND BE AROUND.SO STAY WHERE YOU ARE AND GO FOR THE GOLD...WE LOVE YA
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» Confirm Abuse ReportPeter Reiser said:
Aug 30, 2008 at 2:23 PMFurther proof Penske's heart is not in Nascar. The teams have underachieved the past for years or so. Kesolowski is a top prospect, why would you not want him in the fold. Go ahead and put Stremme in the 12. That way two of your rides, the 77 & 12 can battle it out for the last spot in the top 35, and Kurt can be a "contender" for the first 20 races of the season again, before he is mathematically eliminated. What a mistake he made leaving Rousch.
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