Keselowski Will Join Penske Team

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) -- Brad Keselowski's long courtship with Penske Racing ended Tuesday when he finally took an offer to move to the Sprint Cup Series.

Keselowski, who had been hoping to move into a Cup ride with mighty Hendrick Motorsports, will instead drive the No. 12 Dodge next season. He'll replace David Stremme, and run full schedules in both the Cup and Nationwide Series.

"This was the hardest decision I've ever had to make in my life,'' Keselowski said. "But I woke up this morning feeling confident I had made the right one. It was clear to me this is the direction I want to head."

Keselowski said he relied upon advice from Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Kelley Earnhardt, who own his current Nationwide team, as well as Rick Hendrick. He had turned down the No. 12 before this season in hopes of graduating into a Hendrick ride in 2010, but Mark Martin's decision not to scale back next year meant there wasn't a seat to offer NASCAR's hottest prospect.

"I have the blessings of Dale, Kelley and Rick to come out and do this,'' he said. "I am where I am at today because of their support.''

Terms of the contract were not announced, and a release sent by the team said only that Keselowski will drive for Penske next season.

Hendrick sent a message across the garage two weeks ago, warning other teams that wherever Keselowski drives in 2010 "he'll always be close enough for me to get him and bring him back.''

Penske team president Tim Cindric would not address Hendrick's vow.

"We're not going to comment on contracts and how long they are,'' he said. "Brad has given us every indication that he's committed, and I am not aware of any promises to go back, or to have him back.''

Keselowski certainly talked the talk, insisting he's looking forward to adding to Roger Penske's storied racing history. Although Penske is the most successful owner in American open-wheel racing, he's yet to win a NASCAR title. His current Cup lineup includes Kurt Busch and three-time IRL champion Sam Hornish Jr., while 23-year-old prospect Justin Allgaier races in the Nationwide Series.

"My intent is to come to Penske Racing and build a home for my long-term career,'' he said. "There are very few teams that have the resources that can compete with Hendrick Motorsports, and this is one of them. I want to be the guy who comes to Penske Racing and gives them their first NASCAR championship.

"For everything they've accomplished, that's the one thing that's been missing.''

Keselowski, who is third in the Nationwide standings with three wins this season, will race for that series title next year. He won his first career Cup race with a dramatic last-lap pass of Carl Edwards at Talladega in April while driving a James Finch-owned car.

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Hendrick Motorsports engineer Richie Parker, right, stands in the inspection line with the crew from Brad Keselowski before the NASCAR Carfax 400 Sprint Cup Series auto race at Michigan International Speedway in Brooklyn, Mich., Sunday, Aug. 16, 2009. Richie Parker was born without arms, but that didn't stop him from working his way through college at Clemson _ then combining the engineering degree he earned with his boyhood love of cars to go to work for Hendrick Motorsports, NASCAR's equivalent to the New York Yankees. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)

Hendrick Motorsports engineer Richie Parker, center, talks to a Tony Stewart crew member as they wait in the inspection line with the crew from Brad Keselowski before the NASCAR Carfax 400 Sprint Cup Series auto race at Michigan International Speedway in Brooklyn, Mich., Sunday, Aug. 16, 2009. Richie Parker was born without arms, but that didn't stop him from working his way through college at Clemson _ then combining the engineering degree he earned with his boyhood love of cars to go to work for Hendrick Motorsports, NASCAR's equivalent to the New York Yankees. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)

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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

9-03-2009 @ 12:13PM

CJ said...

Wow, this news only broke like what, 4 days ago or so! I tell ya, i first came to this site when i learned here first that it'd be Dale Jr replacing Kyle Busch in the Hendrick organization, but since then, this website has been like one of the last to report news on Nascar, if it ever does. No suprise, but happy he's out of the Hendrick organization and i dont think he's coming back as some have suggested, and even said he's found a home for his career. Besides, had he stayed, who's to say that Hendrick wouldn't of opted for some other free agent to replace Mark Martin or Jeff Gordon such as Kasey Kahne, Kevin Harvick, or Denny Hamlin, who's contracts expire after the 2010 season.

9-03-2009 @ 2:59PM

robert said...

Just heard on nascar radio on sirius that tony stewart broke one of his hands last night in a midget car and may not race saturday night. Chocolate myers reported it but said it was 'unconfirmed'

9-03-2009 @ 5:15PM

NZCR 14 said...

I FULLY AGREE CJ,
AOL has been behind in reporting news for ages. I said it plenty times before too.

9-04-2009 @ 8:58AM

Kim said...

Big Mistake, HUGE!!!!

I realize Brad is just itching and chomping at the bit to get into a Sprint ride full-time, but I really think he should have waited another year. I think had he waited, he could have possibly ended up at Stewart/Haas, Hendrick and or even Roush, all better organizations than Penske in my opinion. Unfortunatley the only car that shines in the Penske stable is the Number 2, Kurt Busch ride and I don't see that changing anytime soon! And to beat all, he's driving a Dodge to boot, the worst car manufacturer in the series, IMO! How can you leave a Chevy ride for a Dodge? Big mistake, HUGE!

Kim

9-04-2009 @ 2:38PM

dalejr08885 said...

It's Hendricks you idiots that he is leaving for Penske

9-05-2009 @ 9:55AM

Actually, you idiot...he is leaving Jr. Motorsports to run in the Sprint Cup Series. He is not yet affliated directly with Hendrick Motor Sports. Yes, Hendrick helps supply parts and staff to Jr. Motorsport's Natiowide Series, but Brad's boss is still Dale Earnhardt Jr.

Kim