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

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Shell/Pennzoil moves to Penske

Shell/Pennzoil, currently a primary sponsor of the No. 29 Sprint Cup Series entry of Richard Childress Racing with driver Kevin Harvick announced on Wednesday that it would be taking its primary sponsorship dollars elsewhere -- to Penske Racing.

Beginning in 2011, Shell and Pennzoil we provide the primary colors on a No. 22 Sprint Cup Series car at Penske, and Kurt Busch, who currently drives the No. 2 Miller Lite Dodge for Penske will move over to that No. 22.

"Kurt is a champion, a great driver, and has been an enthusiastic ambassador for Miller Lite over the past four years," MillerCoors Chief Marketing Officer Andy England said. "We want to thank him for that, and we look forward to chasing the 2010 Sprint Cup championship with Kurt and the whole team at Penske Racing."

To read the rest of this article, go to Cup Series News & Notes.

Photo of Kurt Busch courtesy of NASCAR Media.

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He Won't Back Down

Brad Keselowski. Many hate him, while many love him. I, for one, love him. He is a great driver with great talent that a lot of fans don’t see because of their hate for him. Brad has many wins in Nationwide to the wild win at Talladega. But the way he won’t back down has fans divided.

Many people do not like Brad's aggressive driving. People complain that he goes out there and just wrecks the drivers to get what he wants ... well, what driver doesn’t? Can we honestly say there isn’t a driver who races that wouldn’t wreck someone to gain position? Some of the greatest drivers in history were very aggressive, such as Tim Richmond, Darrell Waltrip and of course my favorite, Dale Earnhardt.

Now I hate comparing drivers to others, but when you look at Dale Earnhardt, people hated the way he raced - they said he was no good. But at the same time, the fans loved him. The fans loved to see him race and wreck someone, bash and beat someone. People loved it, and Brad Keselowski is bringing that back to NASCAR. I love watching Brad race with the big boys and not back down. He keeps them on their toes and I love that.

When I hear Brad say how he won’t let anyone walk all over him and he won’t let someone push him down, I think we as fans and people can relate to that. Because do we really like to be pushed down, or to be told what to do? No, we don’t - and that’s the stand Brad is taking. He doesn’t want to be pushed down; he won’t back down for what he loves doing, which is racing.

Lately I’ve noticed a great change in Brad. His finishes and racing are getting better and better as the races go by. Whatever setup they have over at Penske is working great, and I mean great.

My goal in writing this is in the hope that maybe you can see Brad somewhat like I see him: a great upcoming racer who doesn’t get the respect and praise that he should. Some may not agree with me and that’s fine, but that’s just part of life.

Brad in a lot of ways has helped me in school and such. I used to not stand up for myself. I used to let people walk all over me, but when I heard Brad say he won’t let people bully him, it got me to thinking, why should I? Brad is a great inspiration to some, whether it's through his words or his racing. I know the feeling I get when I see him going three-wide or four-wide - it’s a great feeling, and actually, great doesn’t even cut it.

To sum this up, Brad Keselowski has the talent, has the heart and the great guidance to be the best. I’ve seen it a lot from him and I know soon we will see him in Victory Lane.

I close with a great quote by Brad Keselowski:

“When you are willing to tear down your own house just to get to someone else’s that is the epitome of defeat.”

The opinions expressed are solely those of the writer.
PHOTOS FROM NASCAR MEDIA

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