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From the Marbles

Tue Nov 03, 2009 10:28 am EST

The Brad Keselowski era starts early at Penske

By Jay Busbee

Brad Keselowski is one of the most talented drivers to come along in some time, so you can see why Roger Penske gave him a battlefield promotion, bringing him up to the bigs for the final three races of the season. Brad Keselowski also caused the big wrecks at Talladega in the spring and fall, so you can see why some of the other drivers may not be totally thrilled with having to deal with him already.

Keselowski was one of the more intriguing stories for much of the 2009 season, much more so because of his controversial final-stretch spin of Carl Edwards at Talladega. He was long rumored -- indeed, expected -- to be headed to Hendrick Motorsports. But when Mark Martin decided to stay on for the 2010 season, Keselowski thus faced the possibility of waiting another entire year to take a Sprint Cup ride -- and he wasn't prepared to wait that long. So when Penske came calling, Keselowski bit.

And now, Penske is cutting ties with David Stremme three races early, sending him packing from the No. 12 Dodge.Stremme has run in all 33 races this year, posting an average finish of 25th. His best finish came at the Auto Club 500 way back in February, when he ran 13th. So, yeah ... not exactly surprising that he's done.

Keselowski's hell-bent style has raised concern in the garage, but should it? Or is he just racing the way it ought to be done? We're about to find out. 

Keselowski replacing Stremme for rest of season [AP via Yahoo! Sports]

Related: Carl Edwards, Mark Martin, Brad Keselowski, David Stremme

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53 Comments

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  1. checkeredflagstilettos
    1. Posted by checkeredflagstilettos Tue Nov 03, 2009 11:44 am EST

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    There is a difference between good aggressive driving and just using your front end to shove everyone out of your way. While I have no doubt Brad K is capable of the former, the last few months he has done nothing but the latter.
  2. Ron F
    2. Posted by Ron F Tue Nov 03, 2009 11:53 am EST

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    Keselowski has what it takes to be one of the best in NASCAR. Sure, he's aggressive -- the best ones usually are. But he has the skills to back it up. What I like most about Keselowski is his attitude. He has fun out there, no chip on his shoulder, no whining when things don't go his way. NASCAR could use two or three more drivers like Brad Keselowski.
  3. kinggeorge
    3. Posted by kinggeorge Tue Nov 03, 2009 12:27 pm EST

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    Absolutely right Ron F.
    Dale Sr. may be loved now but he wasn't the darling of NASCAR when he was using his front bumper to ramrod his way to the front. Jeff Gordon was not only hated for being a west coast boy but also for his seeming lack of respect for veteran drivers as he bumped, spun, and wreaked havoc on the field in his first few years in Winston Cup. We all know the story with Kyle Bush, oozing with raw talent, but recklessness and attitude keep him from achieving greatness, so far.
    Brad has the talent and the attitude that will separate him from a pack of mediocre talent that has gotten complacent with mid-pack finishes. If Penske equipment is up to the task Brad will be in victory lane, and the chase come 2010.
  4. packerd_00
    4. Posted by packerd_00 Tue Nov 03, 2009 12:43 pm EST

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    Jay-The guy killed any real excitement we could have had for the last three races,by taking out three of top contenders,I dont think that kind of crap is what the fans are looking for.
  5. NostraChronus
    5. Posted by NostraChronus Tue Nov 03, 2009 12:47 pm EST

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    well, now in addition to starting a kitty to see when the debris cautions will fly, we can now all get into the when will Bradski take out the car in front of him pool, which, of course, will have to be refreshed every ten laps or so after he further reduces the field. I actually kinda dig Bradski, but dude needs to be a little more patient.
  6. RICK C
    6. Posted by RICK C Tue Nov 03, 2009 1:03 pm EST

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    The boy killed the Chase.
  7. Jimmie48
    7. Posted by Jimmie48 Tue Nov 03, 2009 1:21 pm EST

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    I'm glad he's going to Pensky and not HMS. I don't think he would fit in there. He's very aggressive and I think if it came down to it he'd think nothing of taking out a team mate to meet his own agenda.
  8. MarkN
    8. Posted by MarkN Tue Nov 03, 2009 1:27 pm EST

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    Packerd I'm with you on that one. The last two times he raced at Dega he has had two guys on there roof.He has a lot to learn.
  9. Reds24
    9. Posted by Reds24 Tue Nov 03, 2009 1:32 pm EST

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    KG - I'm with you on this one dude.... you said it better than anyone could!
  10. kinggeorge
    10. Posted by kinggeorge Tue Nov 03, 2009 2:13 pm EST

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    Now boys, just because Jay insinuates that Brad is responsible for Carl's spin into the fence doesn't mean that's what happened. We ALL know that Carl tried blocking Brad and is solely at fault for that crash. Sunday's wreck may or may not be Brad's fault. He was at the head of a locked up pack and if you look closely the car behind Brad moves to the inside erratically and looks like he turned Brads car to the outside which caused Kurt's rearend to wiggle, and the rest as they say, is history. Now I know that sounds pretty intricate compared to "Brad wrecked the field" but at 'Dega it is usually more complicated then one car wrecking the other. A series of circumstances are most often to blame.
    Now if it had been Kyle doing the wreckin' all previous statements do not apply. *just kidding*
    Thanks Reds. Sometimes I wish Jeff had a little of that fire from back in the day.
  11. kdboudge
    11. Posted by kdboudge Tue Nov 03, 2009 2:30 pm EST

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    Two weeks ago I watched Keselowski put 3 drivers out of a Nationwide race. At Talladega I watched him thin the field again. It's about time Nascar did something about his style of driving before he either seriously injures or kills someone. If Nascar lets this type of behaviour persist, it won't be long before the drivers start doing their own policing. I don't know what Penske is thinking about but there are a lot of better and safer drivers deserving a ride than this clown. Certain people making comments here obviously don't watch all the races (Nationwide and Cup) and don't give a damn about driver safety. He'll upset someone sometime and they'll take care of him even if Nascar doesn't.
  12. Capt. Moroni
    12. Posted by Capt. Moroni Tue Nov 03, 2009 2:33 pm EST

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    Maybe they should run a special exhibition race where, Bradski, Kyle, Montoya, MacMurray, TS, JR and Ambrose run, say 50 laps at Richmond or Dover with a standing start... Only one rule, once you're out, you're out. Winner take all! I'd put up at least a mil to see that happen. Might be fun to watch. When I win Mega-Million, I'll call NASCAR and see about setting it up...
  13. miss priss
    13. Posted by miss priss Tue Nov 03, 2009 2:35 pm EST

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    hahahah Jimmie, I think you are worried he would take out JJ.
    KG #10 - I think some are forgetting previous races that Bradski didn't run at 'Dega where a driver has done what Bradski did. With them running single file for most of the day (boooorrring), and with only a handful of laps left, IMHO, the drivers were ready to let out some of their aggression and show a little spunk to get to the front. If you ask me (which I'm sure some wouldn't dare/care), let those boys race. When they curve what they are being paid to do, I feel like more accidents are bound to happen. Oh hell it's 'Dega, accidents are going to happen.
  14. miss priss
    14. Posted by miss priss Tue Nov 03, 2009 2:38 pm EST

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    Kdboudge - Nascar tried that with 'Dega with all the drivers. Look where that got them. And I think that if the sponsors as much as NASCAR let loose of these guys nuts, there would be more drivers tending to business on the track instead of going "Oh golly gees, I guess I deserved to be knocked into the wall and flipped. Onto next week." Let these boys show some emotions and let them drive.
  15. boogie
    15. Posted by boogie Tue Nov 03, 2009 3:12 pm EST

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    Brad gets a Challenger in the Nationwide out of this! Is the difference of what, 10-15 mph, that significant that Sprint can't run a "real" car?
    BTW.. check out this photo.. wish it had a sideview, but just the front end looks MEAN!!!
    http://www.foxnews.com/slideshow/leisure/auto/2009/10/28/car-clicks?slide=2
  16. Gators #1 Nuff Said
    16. Posted by Gators #1 Nuff Said Tue Nov 03, 2009 3:16 pm EST

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    I can see him and baby Joey fighting in the sand box in the near future.
  17. Dani
    17. Posted by Dani Tue Nov 03, 2009 3:20 pm EST

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    This is a good topic. Bradski, Brat-Man, Jet Ski {per Jay} Kissy, etc. I finally have a driver "I do not like." This guy is going to steal all Kyle's hate fans. I wonder if he and Kurt had lunch together Monday {after his punt on Kurt} now that they're teammates? LoL Can't wait to see how much damage he'll do in Texas?
  18. kinggeorge
    18. Posted by kinggeorge Tue Nov 03, 2009 3:27 pm EST

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    Has Brad been driving aggressive in NNS? You bet he has. Let the drivers worry about driver safety, they'll police their sport better then any of us benchracers. He has a winning attitude like the greats of the past had. I've watched Mark Martin take the "gentlemanly" approach for 2 decades now and what has it gotten him? ZIP, ZILCH, NADDA.
    Brad needs to not just wreck people for the sake of wreckin'um but I have no problem with aggressive driving. Every race people are complaining about boring races because no one seems to want to win bad enough except a couple drivers. Brad's not afraid to mix it up for the win and not just be happy with an ok finish.
    Boogie--- Thanks for the pic. It's going to be great to see "real" (almost) cars out on the track again.
  19. kinggeorge
    19. Posted by kinggeorge Tue Nov 03, 2009 3:37 pm EST

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    Gator--- D00D! That's the good thing about Brad, he doesn't cry like Denny and Kyle. All the shrub fans are coming out against Brad cause they're afraid he's going to show up the Wonder Boys over at JGR.
  20. Dani
    20. Posted by Dani Tue Nov 03, 2009 3:45 pm EST

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    kinggeorge #3 - I so agree with your comments regarding Sr, Jeff and Kyle!!!
    kdboudge - Oh yessss. I wonder witch driver will be the first to punt Bradski?
  21. Willy Doer
    21. Posted by Willy Doer Tue Nov 03, 2009 3:48 pm EST

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    KG...You hit the nail on the head.
  22. Reds24
    22. Posted by Reds24 Tue Nov 03, 2009 4:47 pm EST

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    KG - kick it man! You are on a roll today.... I've had my mind set on Brad for almost 2 years now and I haven't changed my mind... could be because he DOES remind me of a young Jeff/Dale Sr... heaven forbid the guys are out there doing what they get paid to do... DRIVE A FREGGIN CAR... I don't mind a little chip on the shoulder as long as you can prove it. Thats why I have never had any major qualms against Kyle, because 9 times out of 10, he backed his words up. The "crying" I can do without. Brad has a lot to learn ... he is still very much a rookie when it comes to driving in the Cup series, but I think he has a TON of potential and I can't wait for next year!
  23. Crane Poole and Schmidt
    23. Posted by Crane Poole and Schmidt Tue Nov 03, 2009 10:51 pm EST

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    Who's that in the picture? Is that George Clooney? Brad Pitt? All those Hollywood hunks look the same to me.
    Ladies and gentlemen, THE FACE OF NASCAR!!!! Steve Buscemi, look out! You've got competition in the "Face only a mother could love" category.
  24. Tucker
    24. Posted by Tucker Wed Nov 04, 2009 1:14 am EST

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    Regardless of what you think about Keselowski, there is one very important point to be made. David Stremme will no longer be on the track trying to kill people with his lack of talent and brain cells. Keselowski may cause some wrecks, but they won't be the bone-headed ones Stremme has and would have have caused.
  25. brinirmess
    25. Posted by brinirmess Wed Nov 04, 2009 7:47 am EST

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    Amen to that Frevie babe.

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