2011 could be a very big year for Brad Keselowski in the NASCAR Sprint Cup series.
With NASCAR going to be announcing rule changes in the NASCAR nationwide series which could include drivers declaring which series title they will run for.If Keselowski decides to run solely for the NSCS title 2011 could be a breakout year for the rising star.
We all know his dust up’s with Kyle Busch, Denny Hamlin and Carl Edwards the last couple seasons. While everyone in the NNS was raving on Busch and the records he has broken Keselowski has proven he should not be forgotten.
His first full time season in NSCS wasn’t exactly a walk in the park and the adjustment to the cars was a bit harder than expected.
He only had two top 10 finishes and didn’t get his first top 10 until Martinsville in the fall. He came close with a couple finishes outside the top 10. In the spring he was well on his way to at least a top five when Edwards spun him out in a form of payback at Atlanta Motor Speedway.
Toward the end of the season began to run much better. The car was finally coming to Keselowski and he was beginning to know what he needed to find the speed in the car.
In the Chase, he won his first career pole in the NSCS at New Hampshire where he went on to finish 18th that day.
Driving for Roger Penske means the expectations are high and in 2011 Keselowski will move to the No. 2 Miller Light Dodge.
It was also announced that Paul Wolfe who led Keselowski to his NNS championship in 2010 will move to the NSCS as his crew chief.
Not only is he driving for one the most accomplished owners in auto racing; now he is driving one of the most famous brands in the sport.
Expectations of winning and competing for a title have never been greater for Keselowski.
“You should have high expectations no matter what. Driving for Miller, there's a brand to live up to. There's a brand of excellence and performance that's been established well before I was even born. I want to continue that. I want to put [that] car in Victory Lane. It's won races every year that I can remember. Kurt's carried on that tradition, making the Chase and winning races. There's definitely a torch to carry on there, and I look forward in having the opportunity to do it."
The goals have to be simple for Keselowski in 2011.He is more than capable of running up front and contending for race wins. In NASCAR time is a short commodity. No more will sponsors wait a few years for a driver to develop. They want results fast and Keselowski can produce those.
The key for him is to not get buried in a deep point’s hole early in the season. He needs to start off fast. Establish himself as a weekly contender and that starts on Friday.
Qualifying better will give him not only confidence but allow them on Saturday to not have to worry about starting mid pack or toward the back.
The little things whether it is on pit road, on the track or on Friday all factor into a successful season. When you have all parts clicking the results will show that.
2009 was a big year for Keselowski as he won his first race and landed a ride with Penske Racing but 2011 could be even bigger if he makes the Chase and contends for the title.
Photo by Geoff Burke/Getty Images North America)
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