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THE RACE

DAV 200
Phoenix International Raceway
Saturday, November 8

THE RESULTS

The No. 22 Discount Tire Ford Mustang
Driver: Brad Keselowski
Starting Position: 2
Finish Position: 1
Owners' Points Position: 1

THE RACE REVIEW

· Brad Keselowski, making his 10th NASCAR Nationwide Series (NNS) start of the 2014 season, started from the second position for Saturday afternoon’s DAV 200 at Phoenix International Raceway.

· The race began with the No. 22 Discount Tire Ford holding court in the second position for much of the first-third of the event. Keselowski reported that his Ford Mustang was too loose around the one-mile track.

· During the first caution of the race, the Discount Tire team made air pressure and chassis adjustments to improve the handling on the No. 22 machine.

· Keselowski maintained a constant presence in the top-five throughout the 200-lap event, never running lower than sixth all afternoon.

· At the halfway mark of the race, the Discount Tire Ford was once again scored in second as Keselowski continued to make the most of a car that lacked stability through the center of the corner and on corner exit.

· As the laps began to wind down, Keselowski and crew chief Jeremy Bullins made a bold decision to stay on the racing surface while the leaders pitted during a lap-166 caution. The move resulted in the Discount Tire Ford taking the lead for the first time of the day.

· Keselowski led five laps before the No. 54 of Kyle Busch, who had led most of the afternoon, was able to retake the lead with fresh tires and a dominant car.

· It looked as though Keselowski would be relegated to a respectable second-place finish when the yellow flag flew at lap 199. On the ensuing green-white-checkered restart, Keselowski managed to pass Busch for the lead and then held on to take the checkered flag in a surprising victory.

· The victory marks Keselowski’s fifth NASCAR Nationwide Series win in just 10 starts this season and his 32nd-career victory. The result keeps the No. 22 ahead of the No. 54 in the Owners’ Point standings, as the Discount Tire team heads into the final race of the season with a 29-point advantage as they look to capture their second-consecutive Owners’ title.    

WHAT THEY ARE SAYING

BRAD KESELOWSKI, NO. 22 DISCOUNT TIRE FORD MUSTANG

THAT WAS A SURPRISING WAY TO PULL OUT A WIN, HOW DID YOU MANAGE THAT ONE?

“It was kind of a shame. He (Kyle Busch) had the race won today, but the yellow came out. I can understand if he was upset about that, but we didn’t give up. Kyle was really fast and probably had a tenth or two on everybody and then that yellow came out and I don’t know what happened.  It’s like we grabbed a gear or he slowed down, I don’t know which one happened but either way we were able to get to victory lane with the Discount Tire Ford Mustang and get another win with this group. I’m really proud of everyone at Team Penske. We’ll go to Homestead and Joey Logano is gonna drive this car and he can have a nice, cool, relaxed day and go win the championship, but that’s the way to finish it out for the year. I’ve been proud to drive this car and humbled over the last few years to have an opportunity with a car and team this great, and what a way to finish out the year.”  

AFTER ALL YOU’VE BEEN THROUGH THIS WEEK HOW DOES IT FEEL TO WIN?
 
“It feels good. It’s a little bit surreal. I really didn’t know the race was over. We were low on gas in that whole situation, but it’s been a heck of a week and hopefully we can pull this off again tomorrow.”