Peter Casey-USA Today Sports
Friday night at Richmond International Raceway, reigning NASCAR Sprint Cup Champion Brad Keselowski, was able to visit victory lane for the first time this season. Bad Brad started on the pole position for the race. But when the green flag dropped, teammate at Penske Racing and Nationwide Series points-leader Sam Hornish Jr. took the lead and dominated for much of the race before falling back.
In the closing laps of the race, Keselowski had to fend off fellow Sprint Cup drivers Kyle Busch and Kevin Harvick who would finish 3rd and 2nd respectively. This Nationwide win broke Busch’s streak of wins, having won the last three Nationwide Series events. This year, Brad Keselowski has run well in the No. 22 Penske Ford but they just haven’t been in a position to close the deal. Now, Keselowski leaves the No. 22 in the capable hands of teammate Joey Logano at Talladega.
This was a much-needed win for Brad Keselowski. While he has put up a potent defense of the Sprint Cup Champion title, he has lacked the all-critical wins. Keselowski should be able to convert this win at Richmond into a chance at a win tonight in the Toyota Owner’s 400. It won’t be easy as he starts back in 23rd, but Keselowski has always been good at fighting his way up through traffic.
A win could prove a serious boon to this team that has struggled it seems weekly. The appeal for the Penske Racing penalties is on Wednesday. Keselowski could use a nice win if he loses Paul Wolfe for six weeks of racing. Bad Brad is running out of time to get a victory if he wants to hoist the Sprint Cup once again in November.
Jake Thompson is a NASCAR Writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter @JakeThompsonCU and like him on Facebook.
