Brad Keselowski had somewhat slipped into the shadows before the NASCAR Cup Series playoffs race at Richmond on Saturday. He had six straight finishes outside the top-five, soon after winning his third race of the season. Keselowski not only rallied back with a win at Richmond but also sent out a stern warning to his competitors, going forward.
He dominated on the night, leading 192 of the 400 laps. Brad Keselowski said before the race that the No. 2 Team Penske crew had high expectations at Richmond, and he delivered on the promise. But now, Keselowski seems to have things falling in place for him to challenge for the title.
Statement. Made.
Retweet to congratulate @keselowski on an impressive showing tonight at @RichmondRaceway. #NASCARPlayoffs pic.twitter.com/Hv4c2ohajT
— NASCAR (@NASCAR) September 13, 2020
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Why Brad Keselowski is confident for the road ahead
He also said before the race that his team highly favored short tracks. He proved that on Saturday and the road ahead might just give him the edge in that department.
“I was really bummed when a couple of them (short track races) got cancelled. I knew we’d be good at these kind of tracks. So I was like ‘Ah, shoot’. And sure enough we are,” Keselowski said after his victory at Richmond. “But I’m not complaining because the playoffs have a fair amount of them and things are coming together for us,” he added.
With tonight's win at @RichmondRaceway, @keselowski (34 victories) breaks a tie with Fireball Roberts for 24th on NASCAR's all-time wins list. @Team_Penske | #NASCARPlayoffs pic.twitter.com/S5yoDDba1S
— NASCAR (@NASCAR) September 13, 2020
The playoffs have three more big races coming up on short tracks. One of them is next weekend’s race at Bristol Motor Speedway. Another one is at the Martinsville Speedway in the Round of 8, before the Champiosnhip 4 race at the Phoenix Raceway.
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With Saturday’s win, Keselowski is already into the next round. All he needs is two similar performances in the Round of 8 and then in the championship race, to have a serious shot at the title. With a short-track race in both those rounds, things are well placed for the Team Penske driver going forward.
Keselowski’s winning machine
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Another reason for his confidence coming into Richmond was also his the car he had. It was the same car Keselowski used when we won at New Hampshire last month. Right after his latest win, he said that he wants the same car for Pheonix as well. “This thing was awesome,” Keselowski expressed.
If he gets his wish and does make it to the championship race at Phoenix, Keselowski will surely fancy his chances for a second Cup Series title.
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