Cup Success Not a Lock for Keselowski

It's got to be tough to be in Brad Keselowski's shoes.

The full-time Nationwide Series driver has shown to be one of the brightest up and coming stars in NASCAR, and his surprise Sprint Cup victory at Talladega only added to the hype. Consider that he's got the best shot as a non-Cup regular to overtake Kyle Busch and Carl Edwards for the Nationwide points title and his 3 wins in 2009, and you're looking at a guy who's turned plenty of heads in Cup ownership.

Reports say that Penske Racing has agreed to put him in the No. 12 Cup car for 2010, but how well he'd do there as a full-time driver is very much up in the air.

For reference, Keselowski needs to look no farther than the guy he's expected to replace in the No. 12, David Stremme.

Stremme latched on to Penske in 2008 after Chip Ganassi Racing no longer had sponsorship to run his race team at the end of 2007 and served as the Penske's test driver for much of the season. In a similar fashion, Keselowski has worked for Hendrick Motorsports for five races in 2009 and two in 2008 as a driver for their No. 25 team that primarily focuses on research and development.

Late last season, Penske announced that Stremme would be elevated to replace a departing Ryan Newman in the No. 12 car after the team owner was impressed with his testing work and performance in the Nationwide Series with Rusty Wallace Inc. that netted half of his finishes in the Top-10.

2009, though, has been nothing short of a struggle for Stremme and No. 12 team. Stremme is currently 31st in the standings without a Top-10 to his credit. His struggles have been interesting to see after teammate Kurt Busch has been consistently inside the Top-5 in points throughout 2009 while Sam Hornish Jr. appears to be making big strides into becoming a successful stock car racer.

The Car of Tomorrow platform is certainly a reason why Stremme may have struggled in his first season with Penske. Numerous drivers have commented on how the new car takes such a different approach in driving style, handling and setup -- all of which require lap after lap, race after race to help master. Stremme's experience prior to 2009 was limited to testing for Penske in 2008 and just a few races with Ganassi in 2007.

Part of that experience is a big part of why Keselowski might find it tough to be competitive as he needs to be in Cup from the start. His Car of Tomorrow experience also consists of a little bit of testing and ten Sprint Cup races.

Should Keselowski end up with Penske, one would expect that he'd be pressured to perform better than Stremme nearly immediately or find himself in Stremme's situation by the end of 2010 with drivers rumored to be filling his spot. Granted, Keselowski would probably have a year more of slack than Stremme due to Stremme having sub-par previous Cup experience.

Keselowski currently drives for JR Motorsports in the Nationwide Series, a team run cooperatively by Rick Hendrick and Dale Earnhardt Jr. His win in the Sprint Cup Series at Talladega in April came with the James Finch-owned Phoenix Racing.

Keselowski made it known earlier in the season that he would have heavily favored staying with Hendrick or a Hendrick-satellite team -- who wouldn't? -- but the sheer numbers of seats that would be open in 2010 equaled zero. Obviously, his desire to go Cup racing in 2010 is pretty high, and that combined with an opportunity in a Penske ride probably sounds pretty appealing.

It'll be interesting, for sure, to watch what happens if Keselowski does replace Stremme.

On one side, he'll be a moderate success and build his stock higher with possible future team owners and on the other, he could wallow arond the Cup schedule in 2010 running 20th every weekend and diminish some of the high thoughts observers may have of his talent that could have been sustained or increased just by waiting out another year with JR Motorsports in the Nationwide Series.

Penske offers what Keselowski wants -- a Cup ride immediately -- but should he have stayed with the Hendrick camp (and JR Motorsports) and hope a better door opens for 2011?

Like I said, it's tough to be in Brad Keselowski's shoes.

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)

8-29-2009 @ 2:59PM

nzcr14 said...

EVEN THOUGH RUMORS GALORE HAS A SEAT FOR KASTLEOFSKY IN A
BUCK ROGER PENSKY car next year, this miller high life blog is still saying that CASTLEOFSKY is on the market for 2010.
If that's correct I WONDER WHAT THE HELL IS HOLDING STEWART-HAAS TO GRAB THIS DRIVER and GIVE HIM A RIDE NEXT SEASON. Exspecially knowing that stewart was saying while ago to field a 3rd team in 2010.
And why jimmy hendricks and junior are so stupid to let him lose.If hendrick stable is full JUNIOR JR MOTSPRT IS NOT. WHY are they letting him go?.
And STEWART has no problem getting a sponsor for KESELOWSKY or for any other driver 3rd car.
EVEN if there would be such a problem, NEWMAN had his chances and although some decent performances this year, is NO WAY NEAR PERFORMING as stewart has up to couple weeks ago,SO,....... WHY NOT start to dump RYAN FATMAN for CASTLE OF SKY??. I would, and even if there was a long time contract between OLDMAN RYAN and STEW/HARSH I would place OLDFATMAN IN ANOTHER TEAM outside STEW-HARSH.YES I would find him a job, for the wonderers,even though i'm sure somebody will fish catch NEWMAN before that.
AS i said last week in the other file; I DO NOT THINK
BUCK ROGER ROCKET WILL BE A GOLD MINE FOR TOP5's and WINS for A TALENT LIKE CASTLEOFSKY.Seems like at one point Mr millerlite is saying the same.
works for me...

8-30-2009 @ 3:40AM

bluerange308 said...

I see you comment on just about every story having to do with NASCAR, and I must say, you just might be the dumbest person on the face of the earth. Your nonsense talk and terrible writing make me cringe just at the site of your name. Please, go away and just start speaking your dumb rants outloud to yourself in the privacy of your own home. Seriously, you and others like you are the reason why people outside the sport think all of the NASCAR fans are stupid rednecks with extremely low intellegence.

8-30-2009 @ 4:40AM

HEY BLUE STRANGE, just who suppose to be other people like me? Actually we people in the sport do know something about the sport.It's rednecks low life like you that doesn't know shiet about and drive by these pages just to shoot their poison and run.
It's ignorants crapshooter like you that pops on here without a clue, just to bug other posters.
Has anybody invited you on here? Has ANYBODY PUT A GUN TO YOUR HEAD AND TOLD YOU TO READ MY POSTS?
Obviously the answer is NO. Than feel free not to read
my post and YOU GET THE HELL AWAY FROM MY SIGHT,cause your stinge is causing NAUSEA TO MY STOMACH.
NOW I could blame YOUR SPEW to my current foe from hateabama, but i don't think so.Judgeing from some details your spew came from out west like cal.
So let see, who could this monkey be?? ROBOTCOP, GRACE DESCREASE, THE GENERAL,THE WANNA BE SOLDER??? WHO?
SO FAR IT'S A 4/1 SPECIAL FROM YOU.How many more personalityes are there dirtball?
Seriously dude get your MPD CURED and quit being a coward.YOU got something to spew at me? POST YOUR REAL
KNOWN NAME or come say it to my face SISSY LIKE YOUR DRIVER KYLIE BUSH or GET LOST!!!!!!!!!!!!.
works for me...

8-29-2009 @ 4:05PM

AND THAN THERE THEY ARE THE DORMANT BIBBS.
A nazcar top racket,they field 3 teams, limit is 4.
What are they waiting for? They are getting so much negative publicity and fans tuneoff because of the KYLIE SPOILED BREATH,what's holding them to replace the kylie with the castlofsky??? OOPS JD&JOE GIBBS are the religious type to expose the other chic for ever; maybe they settled for unlimited clemency for the kylie.
Are the hendricks,the gibbs, the stew-haas all being aflicted from letargy and indefferency desease????
HEY SUSAN OR KIM or anybody, maybe we shall go apply for a management job at these top nazcar outfits?
OH I forgot for a sec. IT'S A MEN OCCUPANCY SPECIALTY IN A MEN WORLD, right D.E. LOL.
WORKS FOR ME....

8-29-2009 @ 7:08PM

nascarfh said...

I think Brad has a long term deal with Rick Hendrick. Rick gave an interview and told the reporter to relay the message (back to Penske) that Brad would be back at Hendrick. I think this is just a one year deal.

8-29-2009 @ 11:34PM

Comment #3 was posted by me...Susan. I don't currently have MPD. I don't know why it doesn't say my name. :)

8-30-2009 @ 9:22PM

Greg said...

Huh Anna,
Again..that was NOT me and yes I do post my name. For the record if I have something to say to anyone. I'll speak my mind, I do not resort to hide behind a fake name and do a hit and run.I served my time and working to improve the conditions for our servicemen. ENOUGH!
I do not have the energy and time to spent argueing with you for that matter. I just skip over and go to another post. Your rants are not warrant against me. In other words get the facts before accusing others.

Greg

8-31-2009 @ 1:26AM

anzajoe said...

dude sausagito, i have no idea of what the hell are you talking about.YES, ENOUGH!!!!!.

8-31-2009 @ 11:15AM

CJ said...

I tell ya, i know some think it makes sense to kinda loan Keselowski out to Penske till Allgair is ready to come to cup, but i along with some others, such as a couple guys at rowdy.com, think that Penske isn't the kind of guy just to hire Keselowski for a short term fix. Penske has said he wants to become a four car operation, so he has room to keep Keselowski and bring Allgair up to cup, he has already got the number that he said he would run on 4th team, the number 22 he acquired from Bill Davis when he bought the owner points earlier this year. There have been questions about how long Kurt Busch would be staying at Penske as he doesnt perform nearly as well as he did at Roush, and although Kevin Bono Manion has been rumored to be going with Martin Truex over to Mikey Waltrip Racing, Lee Spenser from foxsports.com said she heard that Kurt Busch's crew chief Pat Tryson was rumored to be heading up Truex's team next season. For all that's known, Allgair could be waiting to be groomed to replace Kurt Busch.
Yea, Keselowski could end up at Hendrick, but i just dont see it happening if he signs with Penske. He could've replaced Casey Mears after last season, but Hendrick decided to pursue another avenue, Mark Martin, which i dont blame him, but who's to say Hendrick won't do it again next season. He may have two, or even a long shot three open seats next season.
Of course, Mark Martin is supposedly going to be running his last season next season, but with Mark, anything is possible and he could continue to go, but the 5 could be open after next season. Then there is Jeff Gordon. I believe Dupont's last year of a contract is 2010 and they have continued to cut back in sponsorship, and of course with his back problems, and his wife has stated many times she'd like to see him retire, his time in the 24 could be coming to an end. And then, the long shot, Jimmie Johnson, could be on the market. Granted he'd be a fool to leave what he has, but who thought Tony Stewart would leave Joe Gibbs? Jimmie's contract expires after the 2010 season, and a situation, mearly theory, could be similiar to Tony and Haas. What if a team, such as Red Bull, came in and offered half the organization to Johnson to come over there? Tony couldn't pass it up, could Johnson? I think as much as Johnson has accomplished, who's to say that ownership wouldn't draw him in? Unlikely to happen i know, but Red Bull has similarities to Haas and of course, Johnson as much of a commodity as Tony Stewart is.
With the free agents set to be out there next season such as Kyle Busch, although he wouldnt go back to Hendrick, but Denny Hamlin, Jeff Burton, Kevin Harvick, Elliott Sadler, Kasey Kahne, and Marcos Ambrose, who's to say Hendrick wouldnt opt for Kahne and Hamlin instead of bringing back Keselowski? Kahne i know is a better driver to bring in Keselowski and if Stewart, who had no interest in Keselowski when he was considering a third team this year, if Tony has no interest in him, couldn't that be an indication that he is overhyped? I believe so.

8-31-2009 @ 3:00PM

illsell4u said...

I don't think there is anyone that puts as much thought into these things as you do CJ. You tip toed all around the 88 at Hendrick's though. What are the chances that the 88 is gone after next year? I do not know how long he signed for with Hendrick but the performance is just not there from him. I still think the best thing for Jr would be to call up step mommy dearest and make her a low offer on what is left of his fathers company before there is nothing left to buy. She can walk away with a few million dollars in her pocket and Jr gets what he wanted to begin with, his fathers company. Well, actually Kelly will get what she wanted to begin with any ways.
mbl

8-31-2009 @ 3:09PM

James said...

Hey Brad,you seem like a good kid with a great future .STAY AWAY from anything Rusty Wallace related ,he will kill your career for the sake of his nondriving idiot of a son.Run Brad Run!

8-31-2009 @ 11:48PM

anzaj said...

quote from SAUSAGITO;
I just skip over and go to another post.unquote;
LIEING AGAIN SAUSAGITO??? If you skip my posts how do you know i supposely be talking about you????

8-31-2009 @ 11:49PM

Well, mbl, Jr is under contract with Hendrick till the end of 2012 and honestly i see Jr fulfilling that out until the end. I have to say, im a big Dale Jr fan, and i try to be objective about it, but im sorry, the guy is very talented and has the credentals and qualifications that warrant him to be in the Cup series. It's not a fluke to have 18 cup wins and 2 Nationwide championships.
I will say, i just dont think Dale Jr is a good fit in the Hendrick mold. I dont blame Dale Jr for leaving DEI, and am glad he did as to look where it is now, in complete disarray if you look at it from the Earnhardt side as Ganassi has not brought anything to the table to benefit the Earnhardt side of the equation and i do believe that the EGR merger will fall apart at the end of the season.
I felt that Dale Jr would've been the best fit at Gibbs had they not swapped to Toyotas and i do believe that is where he would've ended up had they not swapped. As tight as he was with Stewart and Hamlin, as he pretty much tried to hire Hamlin before Gibbs did, and with how much he respects Gibbs since Jr is a Redskins fan, i thought it made since, not to mention they did have a car with a number 8 at the end in the 18 car and could bring sponsor to replace Interstate Batteries, but thanks to Toyota, it blew that apart and of course look how Kyle Busch has done in the ride. Not to mention that Steve Addington, at that time, really could've lost his job and nobody could've had a leg to stand on to defend him.
Looking back, even though they also like DEI are a mess, i think Dale Jr would fit in the RCR mold, and even though i would've liked to seen him run the 3 car, i would've been just as happy to see him in the 33 number and i think RCR could more than accomodate the Budweiser sponsorship as i absolutely hate they are with Kasey Kahne. Personally, to see a #3 Bud Chevy with Dale Jr's name above the window, that diecast would've been hard to get!
Yea, i would love to see Dale Jr buy Earnhardt's reminants and build JR Motorsports from there, instead of having an alliance with Hendrick. To see Dale Jr back in his daddy's old engines, whether it has DEI or RCR on the engine would be wonderful, but i wouldnt want to see Dale Jr just try and bring JR Motorsports up from where it is now, as even though DEI is a mess, it has a car already in the top 35 in owner points, he lands a past champ such as Matt Kenseth, which would be awesome, or Bobby Labonte, that right there would guarantee a second car. DEI has the foundation already established, it'd be a smart move, let Teresa keep the rights to Dale Sr's name, and although i love the DEI name, i'd live with JR Motorsports as long as Jr has alot to do with it.
I also would've loved to have seen him steal Jeffery Earnhardt from DEI to put in as a replacement for Brad K, but unfortunately he's going with Kelly Bires, which i'll admit, i like him a lot better than i did Brad K. I'll say, im still happy that Tony Jr is gone and am a huge fan of Lance McGrew and like what i've been seeing lately. Really impressed with how Dale Jr ran the past couple weeks and hope that it is something to build on and prove me wrong. Also, my prediction, Mark Martin will beat Jimmie Johnson out for the championship this year. And another thing, even though i am not a fan of EGR, i hope that either Bobby Labonte or Jamie McMurray land Truex Jr's old ride.
Prediction: Bobby Labonte brings Ask.com to RCR and the sponsor teams up with Jack Daniels and Bobby replaces Casey Mears at RCR next season, and Jamie McMurray brings Irwin Tools, which has stated it will be leaving Roush at the end of this season, he takes it with him to EGR to drive the #1 Irwin Tools/Bass Pro Chevy next season.

9-01-2009 @ 1:44AM

SEXY VERONICA said...

HEY PJ, i LIKE ALL YOUR PREDICTIONS here about junior and so all your if's and but's;however,junior has been driving for the #1 rocket in nascar for almost 2 years and has not been able to achieve anything positive.
question is, what makes you so sure that he would done better at RCR-DEI-JGR-STEW/HAAS etc etc.
Just IN THE LAST COUPLE WEEKS things seems to finally be turning around for him in the right direction and i hope that this new trend of his lasts very long time but i won't uncap the champaign yet; I'LL caution for another couple weeks at least however today's days motto is as always; GO DEJ, DOWN with your best loved driver (NOT, JUST CARING)KYLIE BUSH.

9-01-2009 @ 4:04AM

Well, sexy, just look at Kyle Busch. Granted he had some moderate success with Hendrick, but he didnt fit the mold at Hendrick and look how he fits in at Gibbs, very well. Same with Brian Vickers, Hendrick didnt work for him, but the atmosphere at Red Bull he enjoys and has performed better in. Some places just dont fit guys, and some do and that includes the people surrounding them as well as the way things are done.

9-01-2009 @ 6:49AM

Anna, you are being BAD.
CJ, I have never meant to imply that Jr has not earned his place in Nascar. But the truth is he has not performed as many, including himself, has expected at HMS. You do not have to be Cup Champion to be recognized as a good driver. Frankly, in my opinion, winning the Cup now means much less than it did a decade ago. My thoughts were limited to the fact that Jr did want to own his late fathers team just two years ago. Now that Teresa has proven she cannot bring in the money to run the team without Jr., just MAYBE she is now ready to take what she can get and get out. After all, it is one ting to hold out for whatever reasons she had, it is another thing to be stupid.
The difference between Lance and Tony Jr is that Lance has the nuts to tell Jr to "shut up, drive the car, and tell me what it is doing that you do not like. I am the crew chief, I will fix it if I can but stop crying about it."

9-01-2009 @ 12:54PM

i agree, and im not saying that either, i just dont know if Jr fits the Hendrick mold as Jeff Gordon and Jimmie Johnson do. It's even apparent that Mark Martin fits the Hendrick mold more than he ever did at Roush. I agree, Jr should've been either sold or given ownership of that company. I cant say that Dale Jr could've done a better job, but i know he couldnt of done any worse! He could at least fine sponsors and knows to find really talent, such as Martin Truex and Brad Keselowski, and who does Teresa have, Regan Smith and Aric Almirola, who neither one is really shown any promise or talent. Granted Smith almost won Talladega, but that doesnt necessarily mean you have alot of talent.

9-02-2009 @ 11:59AM

bustingMARINESrats&liers said...

hey CJ, bobby labonte is finished as a driver 5 years ago. first at RPE than at YATES he has 1 top10 in 5 years and no wins. DID YO HEAR yates is dumping him for the last 12 09 cup races??? SPONSORS hae been giving YATES HELL and bobby has no sponsorship soon, let alone 2010.Feel sorry for the dude, used to be a great driver and great people.

9-02-2009 @ 7:26AM

Kim said...

Interesting stuff indeed. Mike is correct, CJ you always put a lot of thought into your writings and your predictions, something I admire.

That being said, regardless of how much Hendrick likes Jr, Hendrick demands that his drivers, all of them be competetive. That being said, I have said it before and will say it again, I believe Jr.'s niche is in ownership, not in driving. I agree with Mike that Jr. should consider purchasing DEI or just simply bring his own team from the Nationwide Series up to Cup. That would free up Jr.'s ride for say someone like Brad Keselowski, although I think Jr. will keep him first. I would personally like to see Kevin Harvick in a Hendrick ride to see how much better he can perform. I know Harvick can perform better than he has been the past couple of years.

As for Ambrose, I didn't realize he would be on the market next year? I thought he was staying on with MWR. Now, if Marcus Ambrose is on the market, the two best places for him to end up would definitely be at Stewart/Haas Racing or Hendrick and if possible, one of those teams should definitely snatch him up. He is proving to be a force to be reckoned with and with a better team, I think he is a definite championship contender. But like I said, I think he is staying at MWR as Truex is simply taking the place of Michael Waltrip as a driver, a very smart move on Michael's part. Michael Waltrip is a great guy and I personally believe is a fantastic owner, so he is making some very smart business moves as of late in acquiring Treux and Ambrose, too if he can keep him.

As for Gordon, I agree. I do not believe Gordon will be driving after the 2010 season. His back is going to continue to be an issue and it is clear, while it sucks, that his team just doesn't have it all together this year and certainly didn't last. Steve Letarte is a deuch bag in my opinion and unless Jeff's team gets some changes quick, then I do not believe he will win another championship. It's a shame really, but I do not expect to see Jeff shoot out of the gate for the chase and all of a sudden start winning races and run away with the championship when the likes of Stewart and Johnson have shown time and time again that come Chase time, they kick it in high gear. Unfortunately, Jeff's team has proven the opposite. Come Chase time, they usually fall apart. I hope they prove me wrong this season, but I doubt it.

Kim

9-02-2009 @ 3:04PM

sexy veronica said...

CJ, i wonder what's your predictions for bobbi labonte?
The poster above is right about bobby being kicked out of yates. Hard to believe but true; a WORTHLESS, NOBODY outfit like yates dumping a high respected driver and even champ, ones.There is a story on yahoo sports about. He should gotten C. smears ride at RCR last year even though rcr is down also, but defenetely better and more resourcefull than yates.

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