News

Track:    Richmond International Raceway
Race:     ToyotaCare 250
Date:     April 23, 2016
 
No. 22 Discount Tire Ford Mustang – Brad Keselowski
Start:  8th
Finish: 9th
Status: Running
Laps Completed:  149/149
Laps Led:  0
Owners' Points Position (behind leader):  7th (-36)
 
Recap:  Brad Keselowski struggled with center turn in three and four all afternoon long at Richmond International Raceway on Saturday and avoided a huge late-race accident to finish ninth in the ToyotaCare 250. For the second-straight week, the NASCAR XFINITY Series ran in the unique Dash For Cash format, with two heat races and a shortened main event.  With qualifying rained out, the lineup for the two heat races was set by points, putting Keselowski fourth in the second heat.  Despite slipping back early in his 35-lap heat, Keselowski would finish in the same position, setting him up to start eighth in the 140-lap main event.  Early in the main, Keselowski dropped to 10th but was able to gain a few positions as the race started with a 126-lap green flag run.  Over the course of that long run, Keselowski got very tight and had no center turn in three and four.  The 2010 NXS Champion got up to fourth following a late-race caution when crew chief Brian Wilson called for two tires on the team's second stop of the day.  However, on the ensuing restart, Keselowski had to get on the brakes hard to avoid a huge accident that unfolded in front of him. Keselowski elected to come into the pits again for fresh left side tires before the final green-white-checkered finish, giving up the track position he had gained with the first two-tire stop.  Keselowski couldn't gain any positions on the final restart and ended the day with a ninth-place finish.  Joey Logano will return to the seat of the No. 22 Discount Tire Ford Mustang next weekend at Talladega.
 
Quote:  "We just didn't have the speed that we wanted. We tried a little strategy play there at the end but then everybody wrecked and I lost the track position. I tried to get it back but just couldn't do it.  Tough day for the Discount Tire Ford today."