Dale Earnhardt Jr. expects to name sponsor soon for Brad Keselowski
By SceneDaily Staff
Sunday, September 28, 2008
JR Motorsports driver Brad Keselowski (left) celebrates with co-owner Dale Earnhardt Jr. in victory lane after winning at Bristol Motor Speedway in August.
Jerry Markland
Getty Images for NASCAR
KANSAS CITY, Kan. – Dale Earnhardt Jr. says that an announcement will be forthcoming concerning a new primary sponsor for next season on the No. 88 JR Motorsports Chevrolet driven by Brad Keselowski in the NASCAR Nationwide Series.
JR Motorsports is looking to replace the Navy, which announced in July that it would not continue its sponsorship beyond 2008.
“We’re very close on being able to announce something on our programs for next year,” Earnhardt Jr. said at Kansas Speedway. “We’re really excited about how good that looks right now. But everything that Brad does in a positive way, whether it be in [the Sprint Cup] garage or the Nationwide garage, certainly helps our program. And he’s dedicated to it - he really is - and I appreciate his efforts.
“We give him a good opportunity and he’s repaying me by his loyalty and his energy toward that program.”
Keselowski has two wins in his first full season with JR Motorsports, which fields two Nationwide cars in partnership with Rick Hendrick.
The 24-year-old driver will attempt to qualify for his first Sprint Cup race in a fifth Hendrick Motorsports car at Lowe’s Motor Speedway next month. He will also attempt to qualify for the Nov. 2 Cup race at Texas Motor Speedway.
Keselowski participated in last week’s two-day Cup test at Charlotte, driving the No. 25 Hendrick car in which he will try to make his series debut.
“I didn’t really talk to Brad too much [during the test],” Earnhardt Jr. said. “He’s got a lot of pressure and he’s in a very high-pressure situation coming into the deal like he is and trying to learn like he is. I’m basically just standing on the sidelines for anything he needs. I think that’s for him to work directly with the crew chiefs and engineers.
“Get to know all the people at Hendrick and forge and build those relationships early. I’m afraid to try to give him too much advice, really. I think he’s smart enough to understand and know what he needs. He’s on his way.”
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5 responses to "Dale Earnhardt Jr. expects to name sponsor soon for Brad Keselowski". Post a Comment.
Brenda Thompson said:
Sep 28, 2008 at 9:00 AMI know Jr. will have a good sponsor for Brad.They are both great guys!!! I love to watch them both race.Would like to see some more wins!!!!
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» Confirm Abuse Reportsally whan said:
Sep 28, 2008 at 9:31 AMBOTH JR AND BRAD ARE GREAT DRIVERS AND WILL LOTS OF MORE RACES...YOU ARE DOING A GREAT JOB WITH BRAD JR AND I KNOW HE WILL REALLY APPRECATE ALL YOU AND HINDRICKS DO FOR HIM...YOU BOTH GO AND WIN SOME RACES FOR US AND NEXT YEAR IT WILL BE ALL JR AND BRAD...WE LOVE YA ALL
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» Confirm Abuse Reporthark said:
Sep 28, 2008 at 5:29 PMIf not for the cup guys Brad would be and should be #1 in the Nationwide series, cup guys should NOT get points for racing in that series.
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» Confirm Abuse Reportbeth emerson said:
Sep 29, 2008 at 7:16 AMI think that Brad will be a very good cup racer. I love this kid he is as down to earth and as kind as Dale jr.
Report as AbuseI am not surprised that they will have good sponsors for 2009. given the fact that he drives for the biggest thing ever to hit nascar in Jr. the two of them are going places.
I do think nascar needs to look at the nationwide series. I think they need to limit the amount of races the cup drivers can compete in the nationwide side. they also need to make sure the nationwide only drivers can win the championship. I agree if not for the cup drivers Brad would have the championship.Be fair to all the cup guys run for their title. The nationwide guys run for their title.
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» Confirm Abuse ReportRobert Wingert said:
Sep 30, 2008 at 8:44 AMBrad will have a great sponsor for next year and do very well in the Nationwide series. Chevy gets to use their Spint Car engine which will allow Brad to compete in every race and be able to use all of his racing skills. Hendrick and Jr are smart as they know Brad needs another year in Nationwide before he makes the jump to Sprint car racing, unlike JGR who will put too much pressure on Logano with the Home Depot car.
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