Brad Keselowski wanted to win the NASCAR Nationwide O’Reilly Auto Parts Challenge at Texas Motor Speedway Saturday, but he had to settle for third, behind Carl Edwards and Kyle Busch.
Doubtless the disappointment of losing the race was lessened by the thrill of winning the 2010 Nationwide Championship, which Keselowski’s third-place finish sealed for the Penske Discount Tire Dodge driver.
Keselowski, who was voted the series’ most popular driver in 2008 and 2009, stands a good chance of capturing that honor for the third straight year after his dominating performance in 2010. Keselowski won six races and five poles, finishing 485 point ahead of second-place Carl Edwards.
Keselowski’s Nationwide championship was the first NASCAR title for The Captain, Roger Penske, who had won just championships in just about every other form of automobile racing—22 in total—finally got his first in NASCAR.
Keselowski first thanked his parents, then gave credit to his car owner and crew. “It’s a family accomplishment,” he told ESPN. “My mom and dad gave me my break—my mom, dad, uncle, my whole family made so many sacrifices along the way.
“I’m so very fortunate and blessed to have this opportunity with [crew chief] Paul Wolfe and Roger and everybody back at the shop,” Keselowski said. “The guys that are there miss their kids’ Little League games working hard on my car.
“We almost had a win here today. I wanted to win this one, too, but it didn’t work out.”
Doubtless the disappointment of losing the race was lessened by the thrill of winning the 2010 Nationwide Championship, which Keselowski’s third-place finish sealed for the Penske Discount Tire Dodge driver.
Keselowski, who was voted the series’ most popular driver in 2008 and 2009, stands a good chance of capturing that honor for the third straight year after his dominating performance in 2010. Keselowski won six races and five poles, finishing 485 point ahead of second-place Carl Edwards.
Keselowski’s Nationwide championship was the first NASCAR title for The Captain, Roger Penske, who had won just championships in just about every other form of automobile racing—22 in total—finally got his first in NASCAR.
Keselowski first thanked his parents, then gave credit to his car owner and crew. “It’s a family accomplishment,” he told ESPN. “My mom and dad gave me my break—my mom, dad, uncle, my whole family made so many sacrifices along the way.
“I’m so very fortunate and blessed to have this opportunity with [crew chief] Paul Wolfe and Roger and everybody back at the shop,” Keselowski said. “The guys that are there miss their kids’ Little League games working hard on my car.
“We almost had a win here today. I wanted to win this one, too, but it didn’t work out.”
