As the NASCAR Cup Series hurtles toward the next chapter of its high-speed drama, the stage is set for a defining moment at the 2.28-mile Charlotte Motor Speedway road course. It’s here that the drivers who will advance to the Round of 8 and remain in contention for the 2023 Cup Series title will be determined. And it’s in this fast and furious world of NASCAR where Brad Keselowski, who once orchestrated a jaw-dropping act of selflessness, might just save himself from playoff elimination.
While Keselowski has been seeking his first victory since April 2021, he’s been a consistent frontrunner. But it’s not just his individual performance that’s turning heads; it’s the way he’s influencing his team and, in particular, teammate Chris Buescher.
When Brad Keselowski Pushed Chris Buescher to Glory
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Buescher, a three-time winner in the regular season, found himself trailing Keselowski in the points despite his victories. Even in the opening rounds of the playoffs, Keselowski managed to outperform Buescher. It’s a clear testament to Keselowski’s enduring championship spirit, even after a somewhat disappointing season with the team last year.
The highlight of their partnership came in a high-stakes showdown at Daytona International Speedway. Buescher had already secured two wins in the season, while Keselowski was still in search of victory lane. In the closing moments of the Coke Zero 400, the stage was set for an intense showdown. Everyone anticipated Keselowski to use his #6 car’s momentum to slingshot past his teammate and seize the win. But then, something extraordinary happened.
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Keselowski, instead of making a move to pass Buescher, decided to push his teammate to the checkered flag. The #17 Ford driver, Buescher, couldn’t help but applaud the camaraderie displayed by his teammate. He shared his thoughts on NASCAR SiriusXM radio, saying, “This is as much Brad’s win as mine”. But now, as the Round of 12 ends at Charlotte this weekend, he must return the favor. While Buescher finds himself in 5th place, 19 points above the cut-off line, his team boss is hanging in there by a thread in 8th place. We hope his Roval outing won’t be as challenging as his Talladega run.
Brad Keselowski faced a challenge at Talladega
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Brad Keselowski’s day at Talladega had all the twists and turns of a thrilling rollercoaster. He started on a high, winning Stage 2 and collecting ten valuable points, but then plummeted into a heart-pounding crash just before 30 laps from the finish. With his struggles on road courses in recent years, Keselowski knew that maximizing his advantage on the oval track was crucial.
Despite missing out on stage points early in the race, Keselowski’s sixth stage win of the season was a testament to his skill and consistency. Ten points, along with a valuable playoff point, were awarded to him. It was clear that Keselowski was a force to be reckoned with.
In the final stage, Keselowski found himself shuffled out of the front rows, determined to claw his way back to the lead. Positioned as the second car in the outside lane, he made a move that would inadvertently lead to the multi-car pileup. It was a fateful push to Carson Hocevar that set off a chaotic sequence of events, ultimately ending with cars slamming into the outside wall.
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The YellaWood 500 took an unexpected pause of 9 minutes and 57 seconds as track officials worked to repair the SAFER barrier. The tally of damaged cars included Chase Briscoe, A. J. Allmendinger, Chris Buescher, and Harrison Burton.