Discount Tire Dodge Kentucky Preview
July 6, 2011
No. 22 Discount Tire Dodge Challenger
Feed the Children 300
Kentucky Speedway
July 8, 2011
No. 22 Discount Tire Dodge Challenger News and Notes
• This Week's Challenger... The Penske Racing Discount Tire Dodge Challenger team will use chassis PRS-221 during Friday's Feed the Children 300 at Kentucky Speedway. This is a brand new chassis to the No. 22 fleet.
• The No. 22 Discount Tire Dodge Challenger in 2011... After 17 events, Brad Keselowski and the reigning champion No. 22 Discount Tire Dodge Challenger team are ranked ninth in the 2011 NASCAR Nationwide Series (NNS) owner point standings. The team is coming off a 17th-place finish in the Subway Jalapeno 250 last weekend at Daytona International Speedway.
• Kentucky Rewind... During his 2010 NASCAR Nationwide Series championship season, Keselowski entered the race at Kentucky Speedway with a 196-point lead over Kyle Busch in the series standings. Following his third-place finish - one of his series-record 26 top-five results during the season - he expanded his lead to 272 points over Carl Edwards in the title chase.
• Keselowski Speedway Stats... In 90 speedway starts in the Nationwide Series, Keselowski has accumulated five wins, 38 top-five finishes, 54 top-10 results and four pole awards. In addition, he has led the field for 1,006 laps at tracks between one and two miles in length.
• Truck Series...In 2005, Keselowski had one of his best NASCAR Camping World Truck Series races for the family-owned K Automotive team at Kentucky Speedway. After starting the race from the 27th position, Keselowski made his way to the front to lead four laps before finishing 18th. This weekend, Keselowski will return to the truck series as owner of the No. 29 Penske Truck Rental Ram driven by Penske Racing teammate Parker Kligerman.
• Follow Brad on Twitter... Fans can follow Keselowski on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/keselowski. Followers can get a glimpse inside his everyday life while keeping up-to-date on the latest Cup Series and Nationwide Series news for the Penske Racing driver.
Brad Keselowski on racing at Kentucky Speedway
"I've really enjoyed racing at Kentucky over the last few years. It's hard to believe that I only have three (Nationwide Series) starts there in my career. I've been able to run up front in every race, but we just haven't been able to find a way to get to Victory Lane. Hopefully we can change that on Friday night. Our Discount Tire Dodges have been fast, but I think everyone will feel better once we get that first win of the season under our belts. The fans always come out and support the racing at Kentucky and that makes it a race that I look forward to."
Brad Keselowski on being a team owner in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series
"I'm a firm believer in giving back to the sport that has given so much to me and my family. That's why I started Brad Keselowski Racing (BKR). When I'm done with my driving career I want to have left the sport in better shape than when I started in it. I want to give young drivers, like Parker, the same opportunities that I got when I was trying to break in this sport. I'm proud of what we've built at BKR. We've had fast trucks this year. It would be very special for me to pick up a win in the truck series as a team owner."
Crew chief Todd Gordon on preparing a car for Kentucky Speedway
"Over the last couple of years, Kentucky has taken on some characteristics that make it a little different than the other 1.5-mile tracks we visit. Turns 1 and 2 are very bumpy, especially on the bottom. You need to have smooth ride quality to take the fast way around the track. That also means a second groove will develop as the race progresses because a lot of drivers will avoid those bumps. The track gains a lot of grip as the sun goes down and it becomes very fast. I think it's a track suited perfectly to Brad's driving style."