With Ryan Blaney winning the 2023 NASCAR Cup Series, Ford secured back-to-back championship wins. It only got better with two other drivers including Brad Keselowski finishing in the top eight. While Keselowski did decently well, his team managed to secure a notable achievement after the end of the season. In the process, they beat Stewart-Haas Racing once again.
It is no secret that SHR has had a year to forget. After 15 years, Tony Stewart and his team have gone winless in the Cup Series. With Kevin Harvick retired, it only gets more challenging for them in their bid for revival.
Brad Keselowski and his team come in way of Stewart-Haas Racing’s only chance of victory in 2023
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In the last three years, Stewart-Haas Racing has managed to secure only four victories. For a team with 69 wins from 2009 to 2022, it is a pity for Tony Stewart and his team to go winless this year. The only positive for them in the 2023 campaign was Kevin Harvick qualifying for the playoffs.
Having said that, the 47-year-old failed to make it to the round of 12. While Stewart-Haas Racing struggled on the track, Brad Keselowski posed a great challenge for them. If that wasn’t enough the RFK Racing driver and his team recently secured another victory recently.
Strong start to the playoffs tonight.
I made few mistakes, my pit crew was awesome!
Needed a little help to make the strategy work that we didn’t get.With @Chris_Buescher finishing 3rd, All in all, solid start to the playoffs for @RFKracing
— Brad Keselowski (@keselowski) September 4, 2023
NASCAR has adopted a practice of keeping records based on four-tire pit stops. Before the introduction of the Next-Gen cars, cars were fitted with a traditional five-lug pattern. Since 2022, the Gen-7 car possesses a single lug nut per wheel. With that in place, the record for a four-tire pit stop was broken in the 2023 campaign.
At Richmond Raceway this year, Joe Gibbs Racing set a new record for the fastest pit stop in Cup Series history. Joe Gibbs’s team completed the task in just 9.764 seconds on July 30, 2023. However, that didn’t last long as Stewart Haas-Racing surpassed it.
CONGRATS to our No. 6 pit crew on winning the 2023 @Mechanix_Wear Most Valuable Pit Crew Award! 🏆
Their speed and consistency helped @keselowski gain spots on pit road all season long. 💯 pic.twitter.com/7keXY9bPuX
— RFK Racing (@RFKracing) November 10, 2023
With a four-tire pit stop at 8.45 seconds, Chase Briscoe and his team broke JGR’s record. It was indeed a masterclass at Kansas Speedway. However, despite this achievement, SHR’s pit crew faced defeat from Keselowski’s team. The #6 pit crew was recently announced as the winner of the 2023 Mechanix Wear Most Valuable Pit Crew award.
Unsurprisingly, the NASCAR fandom reacted to this in an expected fashion.
NASCAR fans appreciate Brad Keselowski and his team for their on-track performance
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It is true that Stewart Haas-Racing did a fine job in achieving a record pit stop. While that’s one thing, consistency is the key when it comes to pit crew activities. Brad Keselowski and his team members constantly helped the #6 team make up the ground on track with their prompt actions.
WATCH THIS STORY: A New Dawn for Stewart-Haas Racing: Cole Custer’s Triumphant Return
Naturally, winning the Mechanix Wear Most Valuable Pit Crew award was a testament to their efforts. The NASCAR fans came together to appreciate Keselowski’s team. One fan said, “I was kinda amazed at the step up in performance from y’all this year. You’re definitely an asset for the program.”
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It’s a NEW team record 🔥
With pit stops for 4 tires and fuel, the No. 6 pit crew averaged 9.068 seconds during the Las Vegas Cup Race on October 15th – setting a new record for RFK Racing’s pit crew department.
BK’s crew continues to be one of the top teams on pit road! pic.twitter.com/4zu501qNLb
— RFK Racing (@RFKracing) October 24, 2023
Another one added, “Am a huge #11 fan but its cool to see you’ve gone there @keselowski, pulled that team up and both cars are running consistently week in week out” While many wished well, one fan argued by saying, “5 team better.”
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At the same time, one wishful fan said, “Hope you win the Daytona 500.” It is interesting to see what Keselowski and his team can achieve in the Cup Series next year with such a strong performance in 2023.
READ MORE – Despite Unfortunate Playoffs, Brad Keselowski and RFK Racing Raise Hope for 2024