2011 marks Brad Keselowski’s second full season running the NASCAR Sprint Cup series. His first season didn’t exactly go as planned or as he hoped but the team has made changes that can only make them better. After earning just two top 10’s late in the season and an average finish of 22.4. Keselowski will look to improve on that in 2011. After winning the NASCAR Nationwide title with Paul Wolfe on top of the pit box, Penske Racing owner Roger Penske made the change in the NSCS. Wolfe will now be hoping to lead Keselowski to his first Chase and his first win with Penske. Keselowski was the first to admit that he struggled with different race car and struggled to find the balance of speed and handling. Keselowski talked about the highs and the lows following his first career win at Loudon in September. "Pulling in after practice and seeing your name on the wrong side of the sheet is every driver's worst nightmare, at least mine. To have peaks and valleys, it makes me appreciate it more to have those valleys. In a way, I'm very thankful to be with a car owner who is patient and understands where we are at with the program and has been with me and as supportive as he has. It's the valleys together that make you stronger as a team and together as a relationship. They make you appreciate the good moments.” In 2011 the key to their success will be to run a complete race. There were flashes in 2010 of what he could do but this team has to figure out how to run the complete race. Running in the NNS is much different from the NSCS. Not only is the cars different but your competitors are the best of the best. If you are off just a little bit on any weekend it can take you the entire race to get that back. Keselowski experienced that more times than not in 2010. Keselowski has the talent to help this team succeed but as we saw with his teammate Kurt Busch will the equipment be there for them. Penske has made changes during the off season and these changes could benefit Keselowski the most. Still this organization has work to do especially when it comes to horsepower. They are a tick off from their competitors. Keselowski is not afraid to speak his mind and he doesn’t back down on the track. Wolfe did a good job of keeping his emotions in check in the NNS last season. That will be key this season especially if there are early season struggles. Experience will help him the most this season. One year under his belt and his chemistry with Wolfe is very good. This team could make some noise in 2011. To be honest I am unsure of what to expect from this team. I feel like if all the right things go the right way they should make the Chase. If all the wrong things go the wrong way then Keselowski will be on the outside looking in.
In the end I am not going to say they make the Chase this season. It’s not that he is not capable but this team is still growing and learning. Until he can contend for wins every week, the Chase will be a long shot.
I do think this team with the leadership atop the box should run considerably better than they did last season.
Wolfe is exactly what this team needs and seeing the success he has had with Keselowski in NNS; don’t be surprised to see him running in top 10 and top 15 this season.
2011 will be a big season for Keselowski but it will be a stepping stone to bigger things to come.
Photo:bradracing.com
Written by:
