Brad Keselowski has a ready answer when fans ask him why he runs the Nationwide Series instead of concentrating solely on the Sprint Cup.
It isn’t for the money, he says, and it isn’t for a chance to test for Cup competition.
It’s so his Nationwide crew, led by Todd Gordon, won’t fall victim to the economic crunch that shadows even NASCAR’s money-making machine. Call it “Occupy Pit Road,” if you will — or in this case, “Occupy Victory Lane.”
“Todd, without this program, would be laid off on unemployment,” Keselowski said after winning the Kansas Lottery 300 on Saturday. “Because of (owner) Roger Penske, because of Discount Tire and all of us putting this program together, these guys are all out there working in tough times right now. It makes me very proud to be a part of this program.”
Keselowski dominated, leading all but 27 laps at Kansas Speedway in Kansas City, Kan.
“I think that car was spectacular,” said second-place finisher Carl Edwards, who briefly held a late lead before Keselowsi pulled ahead for the last time. “He did a good job, too. I thought we were going to have a chance to race there pretty hard at the end, but once he got by me I couldn’t do anything.”
Keselowski, the Sprint Cup winner at the track in June, fell behind Edwards after a late caution, but pulled ahead with 11 laps to go and won by 2.795 seconds. Elliott Sadler was third, followed by Paul Menard and points leader Ricky Stenhouse Jr.
Keselowski, a four-time winner this year, only lost the lead twice over the course of the race, each time regaining it within 10 laps.
“You couldn’t ask for more, that’s for sure,” he said. “This car was just hauling the mail. We have fast cars, good pit stops, all these things. Just an awesome day, very special. I wish I could have cars like this all the time.”
VETTEL CLAIMS POLE
Red Bull driver Sebastian Vettel earned the pole position for the Japanese Grand Prix in Suzuka, putting himself in position to claim the Formula One championship in today’s race.
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