I am really impressed with what I am seeing out of Brad Keselowski this year.
We’ve always known he was a very smart, thinking type of NASCAR race car driver. I think the majority of that comes from his upbringing of working on his dad’s race stuff all those years. There’s probably nothing on a race car that Brad hasn’t worked on himself over the years.
What really impressed me this year was at Kansas Speedway back in early June when he was shutting the engine off under green-flag conditions to save as much fuel as he could so he could go the distance. I said right then and there that this cat was a whole lot smarter than we have been giving him credit for.
His teammate, Kurt Busch, believes both drivers complement one another. Kurt has helped Brad’s team and Brad has done the same for Kurt’s. That’s what an owner loves to see. He wants the teams to work as one and not be at odds with each other.
So with seven races to go until the cutoff for the Chase for the Sprint Cup, Brad is only 25 points from the 20th position in the standings. That’s the magic number is 20th. Remember that Brad has that win from Kansas in his back pocket.
The problem is he can’t be considered for one of the two wild-card spots in the 2011 Chase until he is 20th or better in the points.
With seven races to go and only 25 points out of the Chase, it is a very attainable goal.
Plus, when you look at the struggles of those ahead of him, like Mark Martin who is currently 20th, Brad has to feel pretty good about his chances. Brad really only has to make up eight to nine points a race, and that is quite possible.
Once Brad gets into the top 20, I think he is the guy that can really upset some other guys apple carts for the Chase. Those guys up there battling in 11th, 12th or 13th in the standings, with no wins could see their wild-card hopes dashed by Brad with his one win.
Naturally everyone at Penske Racing and Dodge would love to see both Brad and Kurt in the Chase.
Some have already asked, though, how much of a disadvantage it would be for his teammate Kurt if Brad were to miss the Chase. The thought is Kurt wouldn’t have a teammate to work with, plus he would be the lone Dodge in the Chase field.
I actually look at it another way.
It could work to Kurt’s advantage. If Brad were to miss the Chase, it would allow his team to try things and experiment with race packages. That data could be invaluable to Kurt has he tries to win another championship.
As you know, Brad won the Nationwide Series championship last year. So he has that experience of running for the ultimate prize.
If he were to make the NASCAR Sprint Cup Chase this year, would he be ready to win it? I honestly don’t know.
What I will say is that for the first time in the history of the Chase format, this new points system being as close as it keeps them, you really can’t rule out any of the 12 drivers who make the Chase.
As I have said previously, there still is no clear-cut runaway favorite to win the championship this year.
Obviously, I think the top five guys in the points right now have to be your five favorites. However, if Brad makes the Chase, I think his chances are just as good as anyone in the field.
So don’t take your eye off Brad Keselowski. Look for him to make some noise over these next seven races and then right on through the 2011 NASCAR Sprint Cup Chase.
