MARTINSVILLE, Va. — When the green flag flies at Martinsville Speedway Sunday, it will mark a career milestone for Brad Keselowski. He will have accomplished something only done by 34 other drivers, starting his 600th NASCAR Cup Series race.
The run began on November 2, 2008, at Texas Motor Speedway. At the time Keselowski was a heralded prospect, who had scored two wins in what was known as the NASCAR Nationwide Series, now the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series. He was a young driver with recognizable talent but one who was just trying to earn a place in the NASCAR’s premier series.
“I just wanted to have a career and was trying to prove myself,” said Keselowski, who will be driving the BuildSubmarines.com Ford Mustang at Martinsville. “To think that I’ve had another 599 since then is pretty cool. I just want to sit down with a 24-year-old me and tell him that was going to happen.
Just what would he tell the younger version of himself? Keselowski says he would like to strategically educate, providing tips on various race tracks, but mostly importantly he’d like to tell that 24 year-old prodigy to just to enjoy the ride. And what a ride it has been, scoring 36 Cup Series victories and the 2012 Championship.
“When I first got in a cup, I just wanted to be here. I didn’t think about anything outside of that,” Keselowski added. “I didn’t think of the stats. I didn’t think about the accolades, I just wanted to be here and I’m lucky to be here.”
Since the first Cup Series race in 1949, nearly three thousand drivers have made at least one Cup Series start. Being only the 35th to do it places Keselowski in rare company. To achieve that though takes stamina, and maturity.
“Honestly, over the years it’s gotten easier for me,” Keselowski said. “Mentally I’ve accepted the challenge. I know what it is. I don’t get nervous. I’m just ready.”
Keselowski began building his reputation in 2004 driving for his father, Bob Keselowski, in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, then expanded into what was the NASCAR Busch Series (now NOAPS) by 2006 with owner Keith Coleman.
A breakout 2007 truck performance at Memphis, winning the pole and leading 62 laps for Germain Racing, caught the attention of Dale Earnhardt Jr., leading to a midseason opportunity with JR Motorsports. There, Keselowski won six Nationwide (now NOAPS) races from 2008 to 2009, earning his shot at NASCAR’s top level.
Over the course of his career Keselowski has become one of the most successful and respected competitors of NASCAR’s modern era. The Rochester Hills, MI native is a two-time national series champion (2012 Cup/2010 Nationwide) with 36 NASCAR Cup Series victories, and more than 75 combined NASCAR wins across Cup, Xfinity Series, and Craftsman Truck Series competition. Now in his 17th full-time Cup season, he ranks among the top active drivers in wins, top 10s, and laps led.
While 600 is a big number, he says he is far from the finish line.
“I’d like to get to 800,” said Keselowski. “I think that’s a good goal.”
