The 2023 NASCAR Cup Series regular-season finale at Daytona International Speedway lived up to its reputation for chaos and high-octane drama, leaving fans on the edge of their seats as drivers battled for a coveted playoff spot. Amidst the whirlwind of seventeen contenders gunning for a win, the unexpected took center stage when a seasoned champion decided to turn convention on its head. Speaking candidly on the podcast, Denny Hamlin and co-host Jared Allen unveiled a curious incident on the backstretch, shedding light on potential inconsistencies in the rules and enforcement of NASCAR regulations.

Brad Keselowski, the 2012 Cup champion and head honcho of RFK Racing, stunned everyone by executing a masterful act of vehicular ballet, driving his #6 Ford Mustang in mesmerizing circles. What could have been mistaken for a bizarre display of racing artistry was a calculated move to tackle a fiery threat that emerged from the chaotic carnage known as the “big one.”

Keselowski’s Daring Move Amidst Chaos: Denny Hamlin Raises Doubts on NASCAR Oversight

The thunderous clash of metal and a sea of billowing smoke marked a multi-car pileup caused by an incident between young gun Ty Gibbs and the agile Ryan Blaney. Caught up in the tempest, Keselowski’s #6 machine became a part of the automotive wreckage, a wounded warrior among the field of gladiators. As the podcast unfolded, Denny Hamlin pulled back the curtain on a baffling occurrence that transpired during a red-flag period. “We saw, during a red flag, Keselowski doing donuts on the backstretch. At first, I asked my crew chief, and I said, what is he doing? It’s a red flag. Is he supposed to be stopped?”

When Jared asked, “That’s what I’m wondering. Are you even allowed to?” 

Denny Hamlin stated, “I didn’t think so. I don’t think you’re not supposed to be moving. Which is why they even say they don’t even let you catch up to the field. So did they just kind of pray he might be on fire, so we’re going to let this one go? But certainly, by the letter of the law, Keselowski shouldn’t have been moving. So what they’ll do is even when they throw a red flag wherever you are, you stop. It’s like you’ve ever seen sprint car races, right? Wherever they’re at, the red comes out, you hit the brakes, and you stop in your position where you’re at.” 

“I guess he thought he had something burning underneath. Even now, I think I heard him say that the underside was on fire. And what Keselowski said is that, hey, if I sat there, the fire was going to get worse. So, I was just trying to dissipate it. I guess what he could have done is just run through the grass that would have killed it. That would have killed any fire right away.”

When lap 96 saw the race red-flagged, the smoke’s ominous embrace enveloped Keselowski’s machine. Unperturbed by the impending disaster, the champion driver pivoted from the ordinary playbook. He orchestrated an automotive ballet that mesmerized onlookers, turning circles amidst the chaos.

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During the post-race conference, Keselowski unveiled the mechanics of his daring move. But what did Keselowski have to say about this incident?

Keselowski’s Twitter Response: Intrigue of Denny Hamlin solved by RFK Racing legend 

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Keselowski responded on Twitter, succinctly capturing the ingenious simplicity of his life-saving artistry. “The smoke was billowing fast around my feet; knew I had to do something. The red in the ECU gets clearer with every second as the fire is going out and smoke dissipating… so I guess it’s not dumb if it works?!?!” 

In the grand tapestry of NASCAR lore, the chaotic finale may have momentarily dimmed Keselowski’s prospects for a victory under the RFK Racing banner. However, the racing gods smiled at the determined champion. Rallying back from adversity, Keselowski and his protégé Chris Buescher, orchestrated a jaw-dropping 1-2 triumph, a feat that had eluded them for far too long.

Buescher’s victory marked his personal triumph and testament to the relentless progress RFK Racing had made since Keselowski’s induction into the fold. The team’s metamorphosis from fledgling to frontrunner was undeniable, underscored by Keselowski’s synchronized push to the No. 17 car in the final laps.

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In a sport where speed, strategy, and skill collide, Keselowski’s innovative solution stands as a testament to the ingenuity of racers. Keselowski, a tireless champion unafraid to defy convention, breathed new life into the saying, “Where there’s smoke, there’s fire.”