Brad’s Payback – Daytona Notes

Saturday, 19 February 2011 09:20

Among the big headlines such as Earnhardt jr’s pole position and the resurgence of Kurt Busch was a nice story for all those who feel like racing owes them something.

Brad Keselowski has been a headline-grabber for his no-nonsense approach in NASCAR, but yesterday he dispensed some ‘payback’ of a different kind. During yesterday’s Gatorade Duel at Daytona – to decide the grid for the 500 – Brad used the opportunity to help out his older brother and pushed Brian’s family-run Chevrolet all the way to the flag with his Penske-run Dodge.

The push from Brad sent Brian Keselowski into the big show for the first time, and the elder brother’s team was so surprised by the result that they now have to unpack the trucks and find some hotel rooms – so sure were they that their barely-finished, unsponsored Impala would make the field.

Whilst Brad was able to get into the sport at a much younger age, Brian had been made to wait for his start in racing – not making his bow until he was 18 (at which point his brother was 15 and had been racing for 3 years), and mostly just grabbing part-time rides whilst working for the family team. He had admitted to a strained relationship between himself and Brad, owing to the opportunities that befell his younger brother who has since won a Nationwide championship, a Sprint Cup race, and has a multi-year deal with one of the sport’s biggest teams. Brad’s actions come across as a grand gesture toward a brother who should probably be up there with him, but there is no sign of the two going for a few beers together just yet. Brian quipped; “He’s always been a snotty little kid. I hate to say that because he just pushed me into the Daytona 500. He knows I love him”

When last place in the 2010 race paid out $261,424, it will be a good day for Brian and the team regardless of what happens in the race. Here’s hoping the money can go to seeing the Keselowski’s battling wheel to wheel in the near future. By Pip Hammond

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