ROCHESTER HILLS, Mich. – Bob Keselowski, the 1989 ARCA Menards Series champion and a winner in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series, has died after a battle with cancer.
He was 70 years old.
The father of 2012 NASCAR Cup Series champion Brad Keselowski and retired NASCAR competitor Brian Keselowski, the elder Keselowski began racing regularly in the ARCA Menards Series in the 1980s.
He earned his first ARCA Menards Series victory in 1986, eventually earning 24 ARCA Menards Series wins in 170 series starts. His best season came in 1989 when he won four races en route to his lone series championship.
When NASCAR launched the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series, Keselowski was among the drivers who was drawn to the new series. Driving a family-owned entry, Keselowski earned his lone series win in 1997 at Richmond (Va.) Raceway.
In addition to his time in the ARCA Menards Series and NASCAR Camping World Truck Series, he made one NASCAR Cup Series start in 1994 at Pocono Raceway driving for Jimmy Means Racing. He finished 41st in the 42-car field.
He made his last Truck Series start in 1999 before turning his attention to helping his two children as they attempted to make careers for themselves in motorsports. However, he wasn’t completely done with racing.
NASCAR issued a statement on Wednesday afternoon:
“Bob Keselowski was a true racer whose determination and love of the sport embodied the NASCAR and ARCA spirit. He worked tirelessly to build his family-owned team, doing whatever it took to compete. Our thoughts are with the Keselowski family during this difficult time.”
As recently as July of this year, Keselowski was competing in land speed events. He nearly topped 270 mph during a land speed event in Maine, where he had support from his brother Ron Keselowski and son Brian Keselowski.
My dad will always be my hero. He was quiet and understated, but that didn’t change the impact he had on me or that I watched him have on everyone who knew him. I am forever grateful for what I learned from this man, and I will remember him every day. https://t.co/NiG822YfpD pic.twitter.com/eUZWkPtUEG
— Brad Keselowski (@keselowski) December 22, 2021