Brad Keselowski to drive full time for Penske Racing in Cup, Nationwide series in 2010
Brad Keselowski has signed to drive full time for Penske Racing in the Sprint Cup and Nationwide series next season. // Sam Cranston, NASCAR Scene
Brad Keselowski will drive the full season for Penske Racing in the NASCAR Sprint Cup and Nationwide series next season, the team announced Tuesday morning.
The 25-year-old will drive the No. 12 Sprint Cup car currently driven by David Stremme.
It will be the first full-time Cup ride for Keselowski, who has driven part time in Cup the last two years for Hendrick Motorsports and Hendrick-affiliate Phoenix Racing while also driving full time in the Nationwide Series for JR Motorsports. Keselowski, third in the Nationwide Series standings last year and currently third in the 2009 standings, has five career wins in the Nationwide Series and also won the Cup race at Talladega in April while driving for Phoenix Racing.
“We are very excited to welcome Brad to the Penske Racing family,” said team owner Roger Penske in a statement. “Brad has shown terrific success on track the past several years and has quickly established himself as one of the top young stars in racing. He comes from an impressive family background in motorsports. He is a proven winner and a welcome addition to our team.”
Keselowski has three top-10 finishes in eight Cup starts this year. He joins an organization with a storied history and 63 victories but one still looking for its first Cup championship.
“Penske Racing is one of the top teams in all of motorsports and I am honored to join Roger Penske’s organization and compete for wins with his Cup and Nationwide series teams,” Keselowski said. “This is a great opportunity for me to continue competing in the Nationwide Series and to run my first full season in the Cup series with a strong and experienced team.”
He will take over a No. 12 car that has some history at Penske, including an eight-win season in 2003 with Ryan Newman. But Newman won only four times from 2004 to 2008 and missed the Chase For The Sprint Cup for three consecutive years before leaving for Stewart-Haas Racing after last season. Stremme has struggled and sits 31st in points with no top-10 finishes this year.
The news release did not mention if Stremme would have a role with the team next season.
Related stories:
JR Motorsports exploring options for two Nationwide Series teams in 2010
Brad Keselowski says Penske organization gives him chance to grow
