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Hendrick to enter Brad Keselowski in 2 Cup races later this year

By SceneDaily Staff

Monday, September 22, 2008

Article Rating: 4.5
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David Griffin / NASCAR Scene

David Griffin / NASCAR Scene

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Hendrick Motorsports officials announced Monday that the organization plans to enter NASCAR Nationwide Series driver Brad Keselowski in two Sprint Cup Series races this year.
   
Keselowski will attempt to qualify a fifth Hendrick car, the No. 25, for the Oct. 11 race at Lowe's Motor Speedway and the Nov. 2 event at Texas Motor Speedway.
   
Keselowski, 24, currently competes full time in the Nationwide Series for JR Motorsports, a team owned by Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Hendrick Motorsports owner Rick Hendrick. He is third in the series standings this season with two wins.
   
Lance McGrew will serve as crew chief.
   
"We've gotten a glimpse of what Brad is capable of in the Nationwide Series, and that's just scratching the surface," Rick Hendrick said. "He has a load of talent and potential, and we're excited to give him an opportunity at the next level."
   
The team will be outside the top 35 in owner points, meaning that Keselowski will need to qualify based on speed.
   
"I'm focused on making the most of these first two races," Keselowski said. "The Sprint Cup Series has always been a goal, and now it's up to me to take advantage of the opportunity."
   
Keselowski has already tested Cup cars this season and will participate in the two-day session scheduled to begin tomorrow at Lowe's Motor Speedway.
   
"I've already gotten a lot of seat time in the Impala SS and developed some great chemistry when testing with Lance, so we're a little ahead of the curve," Keselowski said. "Now I've got to concentrate on furthering my communication with the team and developing more of a relationship with my teammates."
   
GoDaddy.com will sponsor the effort, the company's first primary sponsorship of a Cup team. Financial terms of the contract were not disclosed.

Average Rating: 4.5

Comments

19 responses to "Hendrick to enter Brad Keselowski in 2 Cup races later this year"
  1. 1
    chris welch said:
    Sep 22, 2008 at 9:09 AM

    its good to see someone EARN his shot, unlike joey logano.

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  2. 2
    Timmie Timmons said:
    Sep 22, 2008 at 9:25 AM

    Way to go Brad, you got what it takes and they know it. So now we know why you did not take the Penskee ride. You are doing a great job and you stay out of trouble in those two races. Way to go Hendrick for allowing this to happen.

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  3. 3
    chris welch said:
    Sep 22, 2008 at 10:23 AM

    he's going in the 5 car after mark martin retires

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  4. 4
    hark said:
    Sep 22, 2008 at 10:40 AM

    Yes the 5 will be his.... vroom

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  5. 5
    Truex and Sadler said:
    Sep 22, 2008 at 11:54 AM

    Congratulations Brad! You are very deserving. Listened to the #88 team's scanner all day at Dover Saturday and loved the way Brad handled himself when his pit crew lost him multiple positions TWICE during the course of the race. Class act!

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  6. 6
    Kris Leonia said:
    Sep 22, 2008 at 12:22 PM

    Brad shows that perseverance pays off in the end. He'll get 2 starts in Hendrick power in the Cup series and get some much needed experience. He basically just has to make the race, if he happens to run well thats more icing on the cake. One more year in Nationwide and I agree with Chris, he'll be in the #5 after Mark Martin does his contract for it. Will say this, Joey Logano will have alot of pressure on him when he takes the wheel of the #20. Brad can moreso focus on his driving and ability to take him to a full time ride at the next level. Good luck to Brad and hope he does well with his starts!

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  7. 7
    Kris Leonia said:
    Sep 22, 2008 at 12:22 PM

    Brad shows that perseverance pays off in the end. He'll get 2 starts in Hendrick power in the Cup series and get some much needed experience. He basically just has to make the race, if he happens to run well thats more icing on the cake. One more year in Nationwide and I agree with Chris, he'll be in the #5 after Mark Martin does his contract for it. Will say this, Joey Logano will have alot of pressure on him when he takes the wheel of the #20. Brad can moreso focus on his driving and ability to take him to a full time ride at the next level. Good luck to Brad and hope he does well with his starts!

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  8. 8
    Thomas Mikulski said:
    Sep 22, 2008 at 2:58 PM

    GO POLLOCK!!! From one polish guy to another. He deserves this ride and earned it too. Could he be the next Alan Kulwicki?BE PROUD! BE POLISH!! Go Brad Go!!I already own his T-shirts and cars too. Don't forget, he has that racing gene in his blood already.

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  9. 9
    Andrew Briscoe said:
    Sep 22, 2008 at 6:20 PM

    Great to hear that Hendrick's actually trying to get new people up in his company. And for those that think he'll be in the #5 after Mark is done, just remember what Gordon said a couple years ago: 2009/2010 are decision years. I see Mark doing the schedule he has now for two years (2010/2011) so that Cassill can get some experience (unless Hendrick is hiring someone else to drive). Either way, good move for Hendrick. You don't suspect that they might have Brad qualify a car like the 5 do you, and have Casey Mears qualify the 25, just to get Brad in the race do you?

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  10. 10
    clinton pillow said:
    Sep 22, 2008 at 6:37 PM

    Brad is another driver that doesn't cover his hart douring the National Anthem, and he is sponsored by the Navy, with that kind of disrespect may be one of the reasons that the Navy is nit going to sponsor Dale's JR Motorsports in 09 Clint Pillow

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  11. 11
    clinton pillow said:
    Sep 22, 2008 at 6:37 PM

    Brad is another driver that doesn't cover his hart douring the National Anthem, and he is sponsored by the Navy, with that kind of disrespect may be one of the reasons that the Navy is nit going to sponsor Dale's JR Motorsports in 09 Clint Pillow

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  12. 12
    clinton pillow said:
    Sep 22, 2008 at 6:37 PM

    Brad is another driver that doesn't cover his hart douring the National Anthem, and he is sponsored by the Navy, with that kind of disrespect may be one of the reasons that the Navy is nit going to sponsor Dale's JR Motorsports in 09 Clint Pillow

    Report as Abuse
  13. 13
    emily bagwell said:
    Sep 22, 2008 at 7:11 PM

    Good things happen to good people---just keep your head on straight and don't get too cocky and with your talent, you'll go far. Congrats!

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  14. 14
    Marlene Buzard said:
    Sep 23, 2008 at 6:01 AM

    Rick Hendrick knows talent when he see it, and I think Brad will be a great asset to the Hendrick organization. He's young yet, but what better time to learn, then when your young angreen! Go "Kes"!!! Jr. Nation is behind you!!!!!

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  15. 15
    beth emerson said:
    Sep 23, 2008 at 6:28 AM

    TO BEGIN WITH PEOPLE YOU NEED TO REMEMBER THAT BRAD IS A DEVELOPMENTAL DRIVER FOR DALE JR NOT HENDRICK. HENDRICK IS GONNA GIVE HIM A SHOT YES BUT IF YOU LISTEN TO HIS INTERVIEWS HE HAS ALWAYS SAID HE WANTS TO DRIVE FOR JR AT THE CUP LEVEL. I THINK MR HENDRICK IS TERRIFIC HAVE ALWAYS SAID JR AND HIM WIIL SOMEDAY BE PARTNERS IN THE CUP. YOU GO BRAD. FOR MR PILLOW. YOU ARE A MORON.THE REASOON NAVY ISNT COMING BACK WITH JR IS BECAUSE THEY ARE PUTTING THAT MONEY BACK INTO SERVICES FOR THEIR MEN. PAY ATTENTION YOU A--.HE HAS ALWAYS SHOWED RESPECT. THEIR ARE MANY DRIVERS WHO DONT COVER THEIR HEART WHEN THEY ARE SINGING THE ANTHEM. KEEP YOUR STUPID MOUTH SHUT CUZ YOU HAVE NO IDEA WHAT YOUR TALKING ABOUT.

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  16. 16
    Jozef Colomy said:
    Sep 23, 2008 at 9:38 AM

    Really Beth? Mr. Pillow is stupid? Is that "CUZ" he has an opinion of his own, which may not adhere to yours? Does typing in all-caps get your point across better? I digress.... Dale Jr. is never going to have a Cup team, nor does he deserve one. He's a mediocre driver with a good name, that's it. This stupid "JR Motorsports" is a sham anyway-- it's completely Hendrick, don't kid yourself Ms. Emerson. Earnahrdt Jr. has no hand in that team other than being the public persona behind it. It's all Hendrick's money, Hendrick's engines, Hendrick's garage, Hendrick's everything. Joey Logano is much more impressive than Keselowski, and not just because he's a much better driver, but because he actually has a personality. Logano will go much further and be much greater than Keselowski could ever hope to be.

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  17. 17
    Robert Wingert said:
    Sep 23, 2008 at 10:48 AM

    Brad will go great at Hendrick and will progress at a level which will help him and not put too much pressure on him. He has the desire to be a winner and will be when he enters the Sprint Cup. To Jozef Colomy this article is about Brad Keselowski not Dale Jr or Jr Motorsports and certainly not about Logano. I don't see finishing 3 laps behind the winner as being exceptional.

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  18. 18
    John Lockhart said:
    Sep 23, 2008 at 12:04 PM

    Right on Robert#16,Brad's going to do great.

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  19. 19
    anonymous said:
    Sep 24, 2008 at 5:11 AM

    Jozef #15: These are the facts about JR Motorsports. It was established in 1999 as a Management Company for Dale Earnhardt Jr. In 2002, in a shop on Dale Jr's property, he started the racing side of it with Street Stock Cars, racing in Concord, NC. It has progressed from there to where it is today, in a Dale Jr. built 66,000 square foot complex. This was built way before Hendrick ever entered the picture. Where do you get your information?? Have you been under a rock all these years or do you have such an anti-Dale Jr mentality that you believe in such fantasy?? I see you are a Logano backer so that explains it, you are a Toyota fan, for now. Hendrick merged his BUSCH operation THIS YEAR, so it has been all Dale Earnhardt Jr money, management and garage. Check your facts before commenting please.

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