As the Daytona event approaches, some drivers tread a knife-edge path, poised for either triumph or face a setback, while others enjoy more stability. Brad Keselowski embodies this contrast, positioned 14th in the standings and seemingly clear for the playoffs, he is yet to secure a win this season.
Amidst RFK Racing’s recent resurgence and a winless streak for Keselowski, he finds himself poised to make a bid for the checkered flag.
Brad Keselowski and superspeedways: A legacy that continues
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Heading into Sunday’s race, Brad Keselowski’s ace up his sleeve is his prowess on superspeedways. It’s worth noting that Keselowski clinched his very first victory at Talladega in 2009, a triumph that heralded the beginning of a remarkable career. With an impressive tally of 34 additional wins under his belt, including the latest one in 2021 at Talladega, his performance on the superspeedways of Talladega and Daytona has truly shone, accounting for 7 out of his 35 victories. These achievements underscore his exceptional mastery of superspeedway racing. While a two-year win-less drought has prevailed, the upcoming Daytona race rekindles hopes of witnessing Keselowski reclaim his spot at the forefront.
Adding another tool to his arsenal is the fruit of Keselowski’s labors at RFK Racing since assuming co-ownership in 2022. As the saying goes, “Good things take time,” in this instance, a year of behind-the-scenes efforts yielded remarkable results in Richmond and Michigan. RFK Racing secured victories in back-to-back races, a significant achievement that solidified their prominence. This resurgence, though unforeseen, aligns seamlessly with Brad Keselowski’s caliber. The Ford machines have played a pivotal role, orchestrating a remarkable resurgence on the asphalt and accentuating the team’s triumphant comeback.
Talent recognizes talent. HMS legend and former crew chief Steve Letarte heaped praise upon Kweselowski for his work with RFK Racing. Letarte highlighted Keselowski’s alignment with RFK Racing, emphasizing their harmonious rapport on and off the track. He also noted the seamless collaboration between the two pilots, Brad and Chris Buescher, indicating a lack of discord and a shared sense of belonging. “Chris seems like he’s at home, Brad has said he’s loved him forever. Brad has done something that I think is impossible for drivers to do, and he’s remained patient and built that place the way he wants to build it.”
Read more: “The Roots Are All There” – Owner Brad Keselowski Proves His Admiration for the Only RFK Winner
He lauded Brad’s patience and his unique ability to shape the team as he envisioned and credited his distinctive perspective and independent approach. “From the day he went over there and pressure-washed it and painted it to what it is now, he should be given a tremendous amount of credit right? He sees things differently, he definitely goes to the beat of his own drum. “
Drawing parallels between Keselowski’s driver of choice and Jeff Gordon’s 7-Time Champ Jimmie Johnson
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During a podcast discussion, Letarte also provided insights into Keselowski’s initial perceptions of Buescher while he himself admitted to not having formed a clear opinion on the RFK speedster’s talent. However, contrasting this with Brad Keselowski’s unwavering endorsement of Chris Buescher, Letarte highlighted Keselowski’s consistent support, stating, “But if you go back to Brad Keselowski, there hasn’t been one quote, one moment, one sentence where he isn’t saying that Chris Buescher is the man.”
Initially considering Keselowski’s praise as part of team-building efforts, Letarte revealed how he now speculates whether Keselowski’s continuous endorsement indicated a deeper conviction. “And, I think I know I took it as oh well Brad it’s team-building, trying to get everybody good. Now I wonder. Was it team-building or was Brad poking everybody in the chest like you just wait. That guy is way better than you think!”
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Letarte then drew parallels between Keselowski’s consistent backing of Buescher and Jeff Gordon‘s endorsement of NASAR legend Jimmie Johnson. He likened the skepticism surrounding Johnson’s potential, to doubts about Buescher’s capabilities. Letarte recounted how Gordon’s endorsement of Johnson, who eventually achieved seven championships, showcased his talent judgment.
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“Why would we want Jimmie Johnson at Hendrick Motorsports? Well, you know, seven championships. It sounds like Jeff Gordon’s a pretty good judge of talent.” Similarly, Keselowski’s unwavering support of Buescher mirrors it, hinting at Keselowski’s potential acumen in assessing talent, which could potentially lead to Buescher’s rise beyond initial perceptions, paralleling Johnson’s triumphant journey.
With everything said and done, there’s no doubt about Keselowski’s skills as a driver and co-owner. But here’s the real question: similar to how Brad helped RFK break their five-year dry spell this season, can he do the same for himself and win at Daytona?