Things looking up for Keselowski's first Cup season

This has been an up-and-down sort of year for one Brad Keselowski. Toward the end of his first full season in Cup with new team Penske, some had to wonder if he was ready?

In the Nationwide Series, Keselowski is the points leader and is sure to win the championship. But for some reason, Keselowski just isn’t making any ground in Cup.

Keselowski has won one Cup race in 2009, but he wasn’t with Penske then; he was with James Finch and Phoenix Racing, powered by engines from Hendrick Motorsports.

Keselowski’s first Cup season hasn’t really been all that great. Troubles with wrecking out and such have resulted in the young driver not doing well. But that never caused Keselowski to quit; he just kept racing every Sunday, even when it seemed he wasn’t going anywhere but the wrong way.

It would seem Keselowski's season is turning around. The latest race at Richmond, which was Sept. 11, Keselowski finished 15th, a real improvement from where he usually finishes around the 20s or 30s. It’s the little improvements that show Keselowski is slowly making it.

During Friday’s qualifying for Loudon, Keselowski felt his car was really fast. As Keselowski took to the track for his qualifying run he would surprise himself. Coming down for the final lap, Keselowski would not only take the pole position but also break the track record. Keselowski was extremely happy and thrilled to get the pole.

Keselowski did get to keep the pole and will start the race 1st, his first ever pole. Keselowski went on to say this:

"I would love to be the spoiler of the Chase, I would live for that moment."

It was a rocky start, but it may be a great happy ending for Keselowski’s first Cup season.

The opinions expressed are solely those of the author.

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Photo: Jason Smith/Getty Images for NASCAR