Penske Racing's Brad Keselowski plans to continue his aggressive style, not worried about making enemies
By Jeff Owens
Saturday, February 06, 2010
Brad Keselowski (09) sends Carl Edwards spinning during their last-lap crash last year at Talladega.
LaDon George
NASCAR Illustrated
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – Brad Keselowski has run just 17 Sprint Cup races and is entering his first full season in NASCAR’s biggest series.
Yet Keselowski might already be the most hated driver in NASCAR, at least in the garage, where he has stirred up a mess of trouble over the last two years.
As a result, he has earned his share of disdain from the grandstands as well.
But here’s the thing you need to know about NASCAR’s newest star: He really doesn’t care.
And he doesn’t plan on changing.
“I really don’t want to be the villain,” he says. “I haven’t set out to walk out the door and get booed, that’s not something that I would take any pride in.
“[But] by the same token, I don’t think that you can spend your life looking over your shoulder and [worrying about] making every fan happy with what you do, because you’re not.”
Having landed a full-time ride at Penske Racing, Keselowski enters the 2010 season as one of NASCAR’s most exciting drivers. At 25, he already has more buzz surrounding him than any young driver since the arrival of Kyle Busch.
And he is already one of the sport’s most controversial characters, having drawn the ire of such stars as Busch, Carl Edwards and Denny Hamlin. He bumped and banged his way to four wins in the Nationwide Series last year, but ruffled more than a few feathers along the way.
Hamlin grew so tired of Keselowski’s antics that he vowed to get even – and he did, intentionally wrecking Keselowski in the season finale at Homestead.
Though the two bumped into each other a few times during the off-season, Hamlin makes no secret of his disdain for his archrival.
“I feel like I’ve probably given him more press than he deserves,” Hamlin says.
Keselowski enters his first full Cup season with a reputation as an overly aggressive driver who will do whatever it takes to win a race and who backs down from no one.
He proved that last year when he stood his ground during a furious last-lap duel with Edwards at Talladega. His tenacity led to a stunning upset, but the ensuing contact triggered an incident that sent Edwards’ car flying into the fence.
Though friendly, engaging and intelligent, Keselowski is also brash and cocky, and he carries himself with a swagger that says he knows where he’s going and he’s in a hurry to get there. He also appears to have the talent to back it up.
Ironically, he is part Edwards, part Hamlin and part Kyle Busch – the three drivers he has mixed it up with most often.
“He’s kind of like myself, I guess,” says Busch, who has made his share of enemies on the track and in the grandstands.
“He always wants to go out there and do the best he can and try to win, and he’s made a lot of enemies along the way, as I guess I have, and he hasn’t done a whole lot to smooth any of those over. We’ll see what happens this year. Hopefully, he has learned a little bit and can move forward in knowing what he needs to do to be a better, harder, faster, cleaner racer.”
Keselowski joins a successful, multicar organization that has put Kurt Busch in the Chase in two of the past three seasons, but he is driving for a team that has struggled in recent years. Whether he succeeds may not depend as much on what he does behind the wheel as on whom he riles on the track and what he does in the garage to smooth things over and earn respect from his peers.
“Brad has a lot to learn,” says Dale Earnhardt Jr., Keselowski’s former team owner in the Nationwide Series. “He's a rookie coming into the sport. I've never met a rookie yet that's known it all. He'll learn his lessons.”
Or else.
“What he did in Nationwide may be different than what his approach will be in the Cup Series,” says veteran Tony Stewart. “You evaluate it when you're around him. If he needs it, he'll get it just like everybody else does.”
Keselowski understands and acknowledges the furor he has caused, yet he makes no apologies.
Despite being called onto the carpet and shoved into the wall, he isn’t backing down and refuses to alter his balls-to-the-wall, take-no-prisoners approach.
“My attitude towards racing is to do what it takes to win. I’d prefer to win honorably. I can’t always say that I’ve done that,” he says, smiling.
“Hopefully we can put together strong enough cars this year to where we can win without drama. A goal of mine is to win a race and look back and nobody say, ‘He screwed me over to do it.’ That’s the way race-car drivers are – we never get beat fairly, just ask us.”
Though he knows he has some fences to mend, he doesn’t seem too concerned about earning the respect of other drivers, as most young drivers set out to do. Instead, he says respect is a “two-faced part of the sport.”
“It’s so hard to come into this sport and run well when you’re worried about making everyone else happy,” he says. “I just don’t see how you can do that, because in competitive sports, anytime your competitors are happy with you is when they’re beating you.
“That’s why a lot of the established drivers don’t like young drivers coming into the sport, because there is an upset to that balance. Before, that ride wasn’t a ride that they had to worry about and now it is. Realistically, it’s that they don’t want to race that guy.”
In a dangerous sport in which drivers constantly preach the virtues of give and take, Keselowski says he’s not worried about his reputation as a driver who takes more than he gives.
“I feel like I give when it’s the right time to give and I take when it’s the right time to take,” he says. “For the most part I always do that. There have been a few races during the season where I step back and say, ‘Whoa, I did a terrible job of not giving right there.’ There have been a few [races] where I’ve given too much.
“But at the end of the day, when I look my team in the eyes, I want to be able to say that I took more than I gave. I want to be able to look at them and for them to know that when I got out of that race car, I left nothing on the table, I never gave up a spot that I shouldn’t have.
“If you have to make a few competitors mad along the way, that’s just part of it.”
Ironically, Keselowski enters the sport at a time when NASCAR is looking for more characters to stir things up. It is encouraging drivers to react with more emotion and show more personality.
NASCAR is doing it’s part by loosening the reigns on drivers, allowing them to be more aggressive on the track and to police themselves, up to a point, when it comes to on-track incidents.
That would seem to play right into the hands of Keselowski.
Asked if NASCAR’s new approach favors him, he laughs and says, “I actually did those things already last year. I’m not sure how much that I can change. I’m already right there for the most part.”
Keselowski says that when he met with NASCAR officials last year at Phoenix after another run-in with Hamlin, they told him they were OK with his aggressive driving style.
“The sport’s going through a transition. The mere fact that NASCAR has made some of the changes they’ve made over the year is an acceptance of that,” he says. “As to whether I’ll be one of the key players in that remains to be seen. I’d like to do everything I can to be that guy.”
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36 responses to "Penske Racing's Brad Keselowski plans to continue his aggressive style, not worried about making enemies". Post a Comment.
buddyppc said:
Feb 6, 2010 at 2:00 PMGo ahead Brad. If you let Tony and Carl push you into the grass, they will. Remember? Race your style and forget the no nothings on the boards.
Wyatt_Earp said:
Feb 6, 2010 at 2:07 PMYeah Brad, crash 'em all. Take out all those Hendrick cars. He let you go, so who cares!
Doc_Holliday said:
Feb 6, 2010 at 2:46 PMHey Brad, Just dont wreck your buddy Jr
LUV88AND99 said:
Feb 6, 2010 at 5:18 PMI seem to remember Carl not having an issue with Brad and what happened at Talledaga. I do know that Carl will stand his ground and repay if necessary--2 years ago with Kyle Busch at Bristol. Brad may be aggressive but to me he is not arrogant and that I can accept. I bet he will do very well this year.
Butch_Cassidy said:
Feb 6, 2010 at 5:22 PMPayback is coming for this young whippersnapper. I sure would like to see him put in the barbed wire fence. Carl is just the man for that job.
bigj said:
Feb 6, 2010 at 6:16 PMBrad drives to win and takes no flack from anyone. where is it written in the rulebook that the new guys have to take crap from the veterans? Hamlin is a wrecker, Harvick, Stewart, Jr. along with numerous others all have had there shots at other drivers on the track. it's refreshing to see a driver hold his own.
jbbigrod said:
Feb 6, 2010 at 6:17 PMCarl didn't have a problem with the Talledega incident, but HE DID with the one where Krashlouski spun him on the STRAIGTAWAY. . . .SO DID I! . . . And a lot of others. . . . HIS main problem is he has NO remorse no matter what he does to someone else. He acts like a jerk. He probably isn't acting. . . . He NEEDS to crash Junior a few times, THEN see how much the fans love him. . . LOL. . .
teema said:
Feb 6, 2010 at 6:56 PMYou all whined for more agressive racing in 2008...and a lot of 2009....When you finally got a driver who dished it out...you all whined again....You just don't want YOUR driver on the "wrong" end....You can't have it all your(or your favorite drivers') way,folks...Make up your darn minds!!!
John_Wayne said:
Feb 6, 2010 at 7:12 PMBrad is a no talent silly looking kid that will learn real fast you dont mess with these guys.
388 said:
Feb 6, 2010 at 7:20 PMYOU GO BRAD don't worry Earnhardt Sr was aggressive to and didn't hurt him any.Crybaby Carl won't be a problem he will just run home to mommy
buckshot88 said:
Feb 6, 2010 at 7:48 PMBK go get'em, kyle busch gets into someone and it's just racing, bull****. run your race and make your place in nascar!
dwiltone said:
Feb 6, 2010 at 7:57 PMI predict he will earn his name Krashalotski this year much you his owners dismay. 200,000 at a time.
Werner said:
Feb 6, 2010 at 8:41 PMLuv88AND99....Carl did have an issue with Brad, when Brad took out Carl on a the back stretch in a NW race...Brad calimed he couldn't see cause the sun was in his eyes...you everyone thinks Kyle has an attitude...lol
Phere said:
Feb 6, 2010 at 10:50 PMIf I were an owner, I'd much rather have a clean talented driver, with skills befitting a class champion, than someone willing to sacrifice dignity, without respect and admiration of his peers, driving the cars that my sponsors are paying good money to have their names associated with. Just because you come in first doesn't make you a winner, especially when you do it without class!
jbbigrod said:
Feb 6, 2010 at 11:00 PMCLASS, what is that? . . . Krashlouski has no clue what THAT means. . . . When he is pushing up daisies, then we can tell his family: I told you so.
LUV88AND99 said:
Feb 6, 2010 at 11:12 PMJB--I love you but that was mean! I must have missed the NW race a couple of you referred to or I would be "hot" too. We don't want "vanilla" but then again get mad when someone is aggressive. Would like to see Brad be somewhere between Montoya and Kasey K.
racinghcr said:
Feb 6, 2010 at 11:14 PMPay backs will be _ELL for "Krazy K" ="KRASH" Keselowski who wrecked more drivers than anyone last year in both Nascar Series. Not only did he intentionally hit and wreck race leader Carl Edwards into the fence at Talladega in the spring race(causing several fan injuries which the careless "Krazy K" did nothing about like Carl who helped the injured girl),but he also in the Talladega Fall event "KRAZY K" caused the last lap "Big Wreck" by knocking Kurt Busch sideways in the tri-oval taking out half the field and putting Mark Martin on his roof. I just hope Edwards is in the same position behind "KRAZY K" on the final turn this year at Talladega---but since Carl is a true ,Class Act - I doubt if he would use the same dangerous,unsportsmanlike wreckless tactics to win as Nascar's proven and confirmed DIRTIEST DRIVER--"KRAZY K" "KRASH" Keselowski! Get the sheet metal ready Penske ! Pay backs will be Hell for "Krazy K"
knchevy41 said:
Feb 6, 2010 at 11:40 PMLove that picture. JBBIGROD, can you tell me what other race that was that Brad crashed Ed on the straight away? Not trying to be mean, just curious. I hope Brad wins races this year, I hope Kahne and AJ and Brad do great in 2010, Kahne showed tonight that RPM Fords are a plus! Go Richard Petty Motorsports! Go All of Penske except Kurt!
VWS said:
Feb 7, 2010 at 12:30 AMUmn I hate to ruin the vibe going on here but Carl likes Brad there friends acutally. I think Carl and Dale Jr may be the only friends Brad has right now but that's another story. I don't disagree though Carl was a little miffed at Brad after that NW race but I think Carl can relate to Brad's "desire to win" attitude.
jbbigrod said:
Feb 7, 2010 at 12:50 AMNo, LUV, it was NOT mean. It was the truth. He is too stupid to take any GOOD advice. But then I always remember what Forest Gump said: "Stupid is as stupid does". . . How true, how true. . . He won't learn til they pick him up off the concrete, and then it will be too late. . . It was the NW race, can't remember which track it was, later in the year. It was a totally stupid move on Krashlouski's part. And like Carl said: "So THAT is the way he wants to race, is it? Okay. . . . . " . . . Go get him Carl, Denny, and the rest who have been harmed by him. . . It looked like Gordon was taking lessons from him tonight too.
jbbigrod said:
Feb 7, 2010 at 12:56 AMCarl was PART of the problem in Cup at Talledega, but Carl did absolutely nothing wrong in NW. He was running for the title and running clean when Krash spun him. THe Louse.
ddmusgrave said:
Feb 7, 2010 at 6:35 AMLove your hard racing Brad, you make the sport exciting. Maybe all the crybabies will keep their line and quit saying it's your fault.GO GO GO BRAD!!!!!!!
xbrownsx said:
Feb 7, 2010 at 8:58 AM#8, RIGHT ON, Well said and I agree. Hamlin is the biggest whiner on the circuit today, it's amazing how he is afraid of Keselowski, yet received no punishment from NASCAR for intentionally wrecking a competitor. Brad will make some rookie mistakes, as they all do, but nobody will be his patsy. Glad to see the #12 DODGE will have all eyes on him during the season, it will be fun.
trtruckin said:
Feb 7, 2010 at 11:02 AMJBBIGROD, your right. Stupid is as stupid does and MOST of your post are about as stupid as they get!!!!!!!!! Someday try using your intelligence instead of your mouth.
wmvjr1960 said:
Feb 7, 2010 at 11:24 AMThis guy is attempting to take the Kyle Busch path to success....unfortunately he doesn't have the talent to do it. Without wins, he will end up public enemy #1. With some wins, Kyle Lite. Penske fab shop will be busy.
OSUSam said:
Feb 7, 2010 at 12:08 PMI despise young punks like Keslowski. All mouth. Now, Penske has two of them. I am really disappointed in Roger Penske. Everything he does, everything he owns is A-one, top notch, successful. He has two of the most classless, arrogant, disrespective drivers in NASCAR. Why do you think Kurt's crew chief, Pat Tryson, left one of the premier organizations in all of auto racing to go to MWR? Michael Waltrip Racing? Are you kidding me? It must have been really bad dealing with Kurt to go to those depths. Now, add Krashlowski to the equation, I can't imagine what Roger is thinking. This is the best you could come up with? I can't wait for Brad to call The Captain "Dude" over the radio like Kurt did. Thank God for Sam Hornish. Not yet very good in NASCAR, but at least a respectable human being.
jbbigrod said:
Feb 7, 2010 at 1:28 PMNumber 24, THEY SEEM stupid to you, BECAUSE they are so far over your head, you don't know IF you are coming or going. . . Kind of like the boys who get spun out.
jerryswiatek said:
Feb 7, 2010 at 2:27 PM#14 Have you ever thought about watching love stories on Sundays and maybe some like love boat, Nascar is trying now finally to get some real racing types back, like the Allisons, Pearson, Yarboroughs (whatever) and the Intimidator type, Wow, Its some around here that love the Pretty boys, (Mommy DID HE SCRATCH MY NEW PAINT??) UUGH!
Werner said:
Feb 7, 2010 at 3:36 PMsometimes i think he makes these comments just to draw media attention...it does work...it worked well for Sr...
trtruckin said:
Feb 7, 2010 at 5:13 PM#27,,,,I'm kinda like MSP. I'd really like to spin your stupid _ _ _ out in the infield at one of the races.
knchevy41 said:
Feb 7, 2010 at 11:27 PMGo Brad, show them Roushers what your made of!
Andy83 said:
Feb 8, 2010 at 11:32 AMI actually like Keselowski because of his take-no-prisoners approach. He's a jerk like Kyle, but without being a whiny, crybaby like Kyle
THEBIGKESELOWSKI said:
Feb 8, 2010 at 7:29 PMBrad is the brightest ray of hope for an interesting 2010 season. Soon enough we will all start bemoaning the impending #48's 5th championship but Brad is going to be featured nightly on Nascar Now... who he hit, how he ran, who retaliated, and while he will be compared to Shrub Jr he will conduct himself with a respect for the fans that Busch Jr does not... and they will love him for it. If he wins a race this year, then awesome... but we are going to be hearing about and reading about the 12 all season long.
deere said:
Feb 9, 2010 at 10:25 AMrubbin racin boys if you dont like it stay home i like it when they beat and bang into each other who wants to watch them play follow the leader boring
feeney02 said:
Feb 9, 2010 at 1:12 PMBrad Krashlousy is nothing but an arrogant, limited talent punk with a face like Mr. Ed, but the horse speaks better.
he will spend more time in the fence, than on the track.
14Patti14 said:
Feb 10, 2010 at 4:08 PMSeriously, racing is not wrecking. That's what some of you are missing. Rubbing is racing, that's great. But Krashlowski as we're calling him here is not called that because he rubs well. It's because he obviously doesn't have the talent to not wreck people.
You can have that take no prisoners approach without wrecking people. Frankly, if no one has taken you out and you take them out for pounding on you, is that equal retribution for the act? Nope.
So until he's actually winning races and not wrecking people to get up front he will not have my respect. Because, again, wrecking is not racing and that's all the boy knows how to do. Wreck people.
You already know what Tony and JPM are willing to do in return for being wrecked. The boy, which is what he is, will learn real quick who he needs to respect out there. Because it's not about letting people push you around, it's about respect and he has a very conveluted view of what respect is. Fear is not respect and he thinks that if people fear him he'll be respected. That's not the case. He won't win a thing this year. He's not that good and doesn't belong in the Cup series.