Behind the Wall: Brad Keselowski

Showing posts with label Brad Keselowski. Show all posts

Thursday, December 15, 2016

2016 NASCAR Driver Spotlight Review: Brad Keselowski

Brad Keselowski 2016 Review

Image result for 2016 Brad Keselowski win

By Richard Tix

2016 Season Preview

Season Grade: B

Season Preview: "Just like after 2013, I see another big come back season for BK in 2016. Since 2011 he has 16 wins in 180 races, which is a win every 11.25 races. That's not a bad mark to have in your last 5 seasons (he has only raced 6 full time years). I do see another 3-4 wins, 10-13 top 10's, and 20-22 top 10's in 2016 and also for BK to be a legit contender at the end of the season. The key will be making the final four, which I think BK will do."

Season Review: Well, BK finished with four wins, 16 top 5's, and 22 top 10's which means my statistical prediction wasn't far off. Right now Keselowski is on the every other year plan when it comes to producing big statistical numbers. 2012, 2014, and now 2016 have by far been his best statistical season's thus far in his career, he must really love even numbers.

However, all of those numbers didn't equate to a good finish on the season in 2016. He and Martin Truex Jr were the two drivers who deserved to go further (based on season success and speed), but didn't get it done when they most needed to (which is what you have to do in this format). BK had finishes of 7th, 38th, and 38th in the second round of the Chase which knocked him out of contention.

Without such a poor round, he and Truex were arguable two of the guys to beat for the Championship. That's the plus side, but the fact remains that is not how it played out for either driver and both will have to move on and look for more in 2017.

Previous Driver Spotlights

Thursday, January 28, 2016

2016 NASCAR Driver Spotlight Preview: Brad Keselowski

Brad Keselowski 2016 Preview

By Richard Tix

2015 Review

Brad Keselowski Career Paint Schemes

2015 wasn't a bad season for BK (see 2013), but it wasn't the standard we have been seeing lately out of the driver of the Blanco Deuce. BK actually posted a career high in top 10's, and also should have ended the season with more than one win, but almost every driver has times during a given season where they should have won but a ruling (caution) came out and stole it.

It did seem like it happened more often to BK than anyone in 2015, but that's how racing goes. In the end he ended 2015 with just 1 win and 9 top 5's which are both low marks for him lately, meanwhile his teammate Joey Logano was one of the best cars all season.

Ford has changed there car a bit in 2016 and it will be interesting to see how it effects the Penske drivers early on. They have really been the only quality Ford's for the past 3-4 seasons so if they start to falter then Ford is left with no one.

Bold Predictions/2016 Season Expectations:

Just like after 2013, I see another big come back season for BK in 2016. Since 2011 he has 16 wins in 180 races, which is a win every 11.25 races. That's not a bad mark to have in your last 5 seasons (he has only raced 6 full time years). I do see another 3-4 wins, 10-13 top 10's, and 20-22 top 10's in 2016 and also for BK to be a legit contender at the end of the season. The key will be making the final four, which I think BK will do.

Previous Driver Spotlights

Wednesday, December 9, 2015

2015 Driver Spotlight Review: Brad Keselowksi

Brad Keselowski 2015 Review

By Richard Tix

2015 Preview

Season Grade: B

Season Preview: "Some think BK may have another down year like 2013, but I think he will come out strong again. I think he learned a lot in 2013 and used that in 2014. The big thing will be if Penske is early season adapters again. They have the resources and adapted well last year, so it should come with ease, but sometimes the sport surprises us. He wont put up 6 wins in 2015 again, but i think he can put up another 3-5. Add on 13-15 top 5's (down from 2014), and 19-21 top 10's (about the same as 2014) and he should make a strong push for title two. As most top drivers, it all comes down to those last 10 races where its make or break. BK will be in my top 3 favorites to win a title in 2015."

Season Review: Well, 2015 wasn't the season BK was looking for. It was a "down year" even though he notched 25 top 10's on the year. Most of that comes down to the fact that he finished with only one win after coming close so many times (including Homestead-Miami).

He and Joey Logano had consistently fast cars most weeks, but while JoLo was normally a top 5 runner, BK lagged a bit behind as a top 10 guy. All in all it wasn't a bad season as he was still a title contender down the stretch until he dropped out of the Chase. BK easily topped my top 10 prediction but I overreached on his wins and top 5's (1 win and 9 top 5's).

Team Penkse was strong yet again in 2015 so BK and JoLo have a lot to look forward to after two quality seasons in 2015.

Previous Driver Spotlights

Thursday, July 16, 2015

NASCAR's Mid Week Dilemma

Should NASCAR Hold Mid Week Races?

By Richard Tix

This week if the topic wasn't Danica vs Dale Jr or that Trevor Bayne is expecting a baby girl, it was that the idea of mid week racing was floating around again in the social media world. The topic popped back up after Brad Keselowski tweeted on Wednesday that it was a full day of no "Major" professional sports on TV.

Nothing. No MLB, no NBA, no NFL, and specifically no NASCAR. This day, the day after the MLB All Star Game, is the reason the ESPY's were placed on the date where they were (nothing else to watch). Yet, with everyone's (including mine) disgust with ESPN and all its worker people had no where else to turn but to the network.

In come's BK and an agreeing Kevin Harvick with the question, why not have a mid week race?

In the world we live today this obviously hit the social media trail fast and the ball was rolling again (seems like we talk about it every few months). Every time it comes up it seems to get into a heated debate about why we should or should not have mid week racing. So I pose the same question, why not have mid week racing in NASCAR?

I think the first time I ever heard this idea a few years ago my initial reaction was, "no way NASCAR can't do that. I love my weekend race weekend to Michigan and this could screw that up!" In the years since, my thoughts have changed a bit and I will give you my reason and opinion on why NASCAR should give it a shot.

I understand fans travel from all over the country (and some from outside the country) to races on the weekend. Mid Week races would mean many of those same fans would have to take time off from work to get to a track.. But, many fans already take off time for weekend races (myself included) and still make it work every single year. Plus, lets not only think about the typical 9-5 Monday through Friday worker because many people out there work weekends and never get to go to races the way it is now with only Saturday and Sunday races.

The idea I really liked with this mid week race thought was that it could be used with many tracks that have two stops on the season.

Genius! That way people who go normally still can one of the weekends. Maybe you will have to change which weekend you go (if you only go to one of the two stops a year), but things change so at anytime NASCAR could drop or change that date anyways. I would be in the category of people who might be affected. I have gone to Michigan every year since 2006 for the August race. Changing that race to mid week would affect me, but I would reschedule and try for the first race in June, as many other fans would.

What if you normally go to both and can't do a mid week race? Well, maybe that opens up time to try another track. True, it might be a bit closer to continue going to the one you go to now but maybe you will like the new NASCAR experience as much or more as the one you currently have! You will never know until you try it. It most likely will open up new experiences and a chance to meet new NASCAR friends from other parts of the country (on of the best parts about traveling to tracks in my opinion).

I think with moving one date of tracks that have two dates to mid week would increase the demand of the weekend date for all travelers which would hopefully pack a track on that weekend NASCAR stop. On top of that, I do think that a week day draw could be a pretty big draw on a Wednesday. It may have a bit different crowd (locals and closer commuters), but it could still thrive. The big place it could thrive even if attendance continues to dip? TV coverage. Race fans LOVE racing at anytime, think about a Prime Time Wednesday Night Cup race? I know would tune in during the dog days of Summer for sure. Like Eldora, I schedule this Wednesday Night as soon as the schedule comes out. My weekends start filling up for Summer as soon as March rolls around which makes weekend races tough to consistently watch. Plus, I love hitting the local track on Saturday nights which also gets in the way of many Cup races that end up being Saturday Night races.

The draw on Wednesday during a day like the one after the MLB ASG or any Wednesday during the days of Summer where the NBA, NFL, and NHL are all off are just too big of a draw for me to think it is a bad idea not to try once.

What about the Teams? BK think's it can be done.

Now, I do not want all races on a weekday, nor do I want a huge drastic change right away (neither do BK or Harvick). This idea may not work and may never thrive like I could see it doing but, I do not know why NASCAR couldn't give it a shot. The best time for a test would be the day after the ASG (as mentioned), but some other opportunities exist out there for NASCAR to thrive on prime time Wednesday's. Things change everyday anyways, so why not give it a shot?

The gains of mid week racing for a select number of races a year just seem to promising to pass up the chance to test it out especially when considering the pitfalls. As always NASCAR will have fans who complain we change too much and the same ones who get mad when something doesn't change. So, NASCAR is once again in a lose lose situation as they always are. But, some drivers are starting to hop on board with the idea, hopefully some teams will be next, and the fans will follow.

While we are at it, maybe adding another short track or road course (or both) at the same time might work as well. I am sure Iowa Speedway would be happy to host a Mid Week Night race for the Sprint Cup. They have the infrastructure to add on to host Cup races and would be happy to just get on the schedule. Add in that it would be there first Cup race and the fact that it would be a new Northern Midwest market that is craving some Cup action (not many options up this way right now for Cup races) and you have everything you need for a track to pack the house on a Mid Week race.

If it fails? Then we go back to weekend racing the way it is, but what do we lose? NASCAR is at a spot where it is making changes left and right. Not just because NASCAR wants to make changes, but because the fans are demanding changes, as are drivers, and as are teams. So, NASCAR is constantly making changes for us and its drivers, why not give something a shot that is almost a no lose situation?

What do you think? Would you like a mid week race? Would you go to a mid week race?

Tuesday, April 28, 2015

2015 March Madness NASCAR Style: Brad Keselowski

NASCAR Behind the Wall 2015 Champion

By Richard Tix

First, I want to start this by stating I know this article is a week late, sorry Brad Keselowski fans! I did state on Twitter a few times that Brad Keselowski won the battle between he and Joey Logano after he took JoLo out early.

Maybe BK knew about this tournament? Maybe he thought it was his best way to win the NASCAR Behind the Wall title this year? Or, maybe it was just that his car got loose at Bristol?

No matter what way you look at it Brad Keselowski had a good run to the Championship match-up and then limped off with the title after Bristol. It wasn't the most riveting Championship match-up, but such happens in the NASCAR world. That's most likely why NASCAR set up the last race at Miami to have four drivers, because two can be a total crap shoot (that is, if you already don't think the four is a crap shoot as it is).

This title is BK's second in the three year running of the March Madness NASCAR Style tourney on NBTW. He won the inaugural bracket in 2013, Tony Stewart won in 2014, and not notched his second in three years.

Of course it is easy to note that both previous Champions of this bracket didn't turn into real season success as BK had a rough 2013 and Smoke has been in few year slump. Either way, its a fun time of year to add a little bit to the NASCAR season. So, congrats to Brad Keselowski and here is to you beating the March Madness bracket curse!

So lets take a look back at the rules and how he got to the Championship and won.

Rules and Bracket Breakdown

Brackets were decided by current standings after the race at Las Vegas. Four Divisions, top 4 in the standings got the #1 seeds, 5-8 in the standings got the #2 seeds, 9-12 #3 seeds and so on.
From the standings the rankings were given out serpentine style. Meaning: The driver ranked 5th (first #2 seed) started in the lowest #1 seed's bracket. That continues until the three seeds where it then goes from top back down.
Here is how the rounds break down by race (first race we have two eliminations to speed it up).

Phoenix: Round 32
Auto Club: Sweet 16
Martinsville: Elite 8
Texas: Final Four
Bristol: Championship

The driver that finishes Highest in the race moves on, no bonus points included (Think the last Chase Race)

Round by Round Articles:

Opening Round

After a rough Daytona and then a pair of top 10's at Atlanta and Vegas BK came into the tourney as a #5 seed in the 2014 Champ Division. The notables in the division were Harvick, McMurray, and Hamlin. BK's first round match-up was with the #4 seeded David Gilliland. Gilliland finished an ok 29th at Phoenix, meanwhile BK advanced by finishing 6th. He also lead 52 laps in the race that was pretty much dominated by Harvick.

Sweet 16

The bracket then moved to Auto Club where BK met up with Kevin Harvick. This was the biggest test of the bracket and was BK's biggest competition in his division. Well, BK went into Fontana and won after starting 8th and leading just 1 lap, the one that mattered. It was a big move that shaped how the bracket turned out and took the 2014 Champ out after just one round.

Elite Eight

In the Elite Eight Keselowski met up with Jamie McMurray at Martinsville, where anything goes. McMurray came into the race after a rough 21st finish at Auto Club and he posted a strong finish at Martinsville. However, JMac's 10th place finish at the paper clip wasn't enough to beat out Keselowski's runner up finish. Once again BK had a close call but also put out one of his better performances of 2015 to move on.

Final Four

The NASCAR Behind the Wall tourney then moved onto Texas where only four drivers were left. BK faced up against Kyle Larson and Joey Logano faced Aric Almirola. Kyle Larson actually advanced while he was out a race after he fainted at Martinsville. Regan Smith filled in for him and advanced the #42 car onto the Final Four. After starting 9th, Larson finished 25th and didn't give him much of a shot to beat BK. On top of that, BK finished in the top 5 again to put himself into the Championship again (5th).

Championship

Heading into Bristol Brad Keselowski earned his way in. He had finishes of 6th, 1st, 2nd, and 5th to get to the Championship match-up. At Texas Joey Logano beat out Aric Almirola for a spot in a head to head battle with his Penske teammate. As we all know, Bristol and rain went together like milk and cereal. Who know's if that played a factor in BK getting loose, but he did and Logano had no where to go. So both Penske drivers, both NBTW Championship contenders, were down for the count in one turn. BK ended up getting back out onto the track before Joey and that ended up being the end of the Championship. It was anticlimactic, but sometimes that is how it goes I guess.

So, that's the end of the Third Annual March Madness NASCAR Styke Tournament brought to you by NASCAR Behind the Wall. So, go congratulate BK on something he most likely has no idea he won and lets enjoy the rest of the NASCAR season until we get to there playoff system in the Fall.

As always, thanks for checking out NASCAR Behind the Wall and all the March Madness articles. It is some of my favorite articles to do because it brings a few sports into one, and I am a huge sports fan in general.

Tuesday, April 14, 2015

2015 March Madness NASCAR Style: Final

NASCAR Behind the Wall Championship

By Richard Tix

Well, the third annual March Madness NASCAR bracket is coming to a close in 2015. This is the first year the tournament will end at Bristol as NASCAR changed its schedule and NBTW also extended the bracket by one race. So, after a week off and then NASCAR heading to Texas, we are down to two. Going into Texas we had Brad Keselowski, Kyle Larson, Joey Logano, and Aric Almirola left. So, lets take a look at who moved on, how they moved on, and who is facing off at Bristol.

Rules and Bracket Breakdown

Brackets were decided by current standings after the race at Las Vegas. Four Divisions, top 4 in the standings got the #1 seeds, 5-8 in the standings got the #2 seeds, 9-12 #3 seeds and so on.
From the standings the rankings were given out serpentine style. Meaning: The driver ranked 5th (first #2 seed) started in the lowest #1 seed's bracket. That continues until the three seeds where it then goes from top back down.
Here is how the rounds break down by race (first race we have two eliminations to speed it up).

Phoenix: Round 32
Auto Club: Sweet 16
Martinsville: Elite 8
Texas: Final Four
Bristol: Championship

The driver that finishes Highest in the race moves on, no bonus points included (Think the last Chase Race)

Round by Round Articles:

2015 March Madness NASCAR Style Bracket

5	Keselowski					4	Almirola
		5	Keselowski	1	Logano
6	Larson					1	Logano

Well, the Team Penske run in the 2015 March Madness NASCAR Style continues into the Championship. This after Joey Logano finished 4th and Brad Keselowski finished 5th at Texas Motor Speedway. It wasn't really a close two match-ups either as Almirola finished 19th and Larson finished 25th. Both BK and JoLo have been rolling this year and once Harvick was out of the tourney it has really been theirs to lose.

Championship Match-Up

5) Keselowski v 1) Logano

Over his career Bristol has not been JoLo's best track, yet we go into this weekend with Joey being the most recent Bristol winner (Fall of 2014). So, did he figure it out? Statistically he has run much better in the Fall race compared to the Spring race, maybe it's the light?
Comparatively, BK's career has been pretty good at Bristol Including back to back wins in 2011 (Fall) and 2012 (Spring). He has run into some bad luck in his last 5 finishing 30th twice but I still think he holds a slight edge over JoLo. BK is a one time winner in the NASCAR Behind the Wall March Madness Tournament (2013) in the three years it has been running.

Previous NASCAR Behind the Wall March Madness Champions

2014 Champion: Tony Stewart

2nd: Carl Edwards
Final Four: Ricky Stenhouse Jr and Brian Vickers

2013 Champion: Brad Keselowski

2nd: Kasey Kahne
Final Four: Kyle Busch and Kurt Busch

Monday, March 23, 2015

2015 Pit Road Week 5: Auto Club

Weekly Review and Power Rankings

Week 5 Auto Club 400

By Richard Tix

Let's start with the good first. The Auto Club 400 was sold out on Sunday and for good reason. The past few years this warn out racing surface at Auto Club has given NASCAR fans some of the best racing and finishes of the season.

Once again this past Sunday didn't disappoint. Most of the weekend it was the Kurt Busch show. After returning to the track last week at Phoenix and impressing early he continued to do so by being the fastest in every practice, happy hour, and the Cup qualifying at Auto Club.

It all set up for a Kurt Busch dominating day at Fontana. He did lead a bunch on the day and was also a favorite most of the day while running the same car set up as teammate Kevin Harvick, but eventually some others got in on the deal, including Harvick himself.

Denny Hamlin and Matt Kenseth from JGR both finally showed some life while running up front and challenged both SHR cars during the middle of the race. Denny did it by getting the lead and staying out front in "clean air." Meanwhile Kenseth held the lead several different times because of having a front pit stall and fast stops.

Eventually it came down to the SHR show again during the closing laps while Kurt and Kevin fought for the lead. A few late cautions for debris packed the cars back up and fans got a bunch of wild restarts. I have to say the restarts at Auto Club have been some of the best in NASCAR lately.

Because of those cautions the gamble of four tires for Brad Keselowski on the first of the two (cautions) paid off. BK came out of no where on the last Green White Checker to pass Kurt Busch for the lead. Kurt tried to drive it in hard late, but couldn't get to BK. It eventually helped put Kurt in the wall and Harvick finished second (to extend his streak).

It wasn't a race where the best car won, but that is racing sometimes. What id known is BK is pretty much in the Chase and SHR's #41 and #4 will have something strong week after week.

Now, onto the not as good part of this review. Let me start by saying we all have opinions and it should be this way, that's what makes us human. Not everyone's opinion will and should ever be the same. This all being said because many fans do not like Brad Keselowski. While I am a fan, I will respect others fans opinion of him.

Hate him, dislike him, think he is unintelligent, think he is ugly, or think he is a terrible driver, that's fine because its all your opinion. But, going on social media and spewing vulgar about him because you can sit behind your computer, smart phone, tablet, etc is pathetic. No one really wants to hear your crap except for those other "fans" that are so tough to sit behind a social media platform to cuss out drivers.

Dale Earnhardt would want to slap you in the face for your stupid comments. Social media is a gift for many fans who may never get a shot at meeting there favorite driver or celebrity and might get to interact with them, yet you go about calling people horse face and jacka$$ because you're stuck in second grade.

I just draw a line and can not respect anyone who has to do this. Many fans hate BK and I have had some great conversations with them because they do not have to stoop that low, I respect that. Down the road when you actually have something intelligent to say about the sport I automatically right it off because of how childish you act towards drivers and there livelihood. So stop hiding behind that screen and act like a human.

BK isn't the only one either. Both Busch brothers get plenty of heat, as does Bowyer and many others. The second grade look really doesn't look good on you. The even better part is when a "fan" attacks a driver, the driver responds, and the "fan" immediately turns into a little tiny mouse the size of an ant. Saying "oh, I wasn't serious. I totally respect the way you drive" (or some total BS thing because a driver responded to them). These moves, when you get down to it, are a total call for attention.

The sad thing is the ones who need the attention are the ones saying it. Look in a mirror and act like a human.

Now, back to your regularly scheduled power rankings. There is a whole lot of parity in the top 12 and guys can almost be placed anywhere (after Harvick).

Pit Road Power Rankings Week 5 (Week 4)

Kevin Harvick (LW-1)- He didn't win, but he was strong all day and looked like he would push Kurt for the win, that is until BK stole it. Harvick lead 34 laps on the day but seemed a bit more human this week even though he extended his streak. Finish: 2nd
Kurt Busch (LW-NR)- This might be the first time in NBTW Power Rankings history that I jumped someone from "just missed" all the way to second. But the thing about Kurt is, he has been the only one to look as strong as Harvick since his return. Even though BK won and has been good, Kurts two race run has been impressive enough to make the leap. Finish: 3
Brad Keselowski (LW-4)- Brad and Paul Wolfe took four tires on a late caution that looked to place them with a top 10 finish, but with how the race played out it actually put them in a spot with a huge advantage. Finish: 1st
Martin Truex Jr (LW-3)- Truex's top 10 streak to start 2015 continues. After a season full of disappointing finishes in 2014 its refreshing to see the #78 team up front again. Finish: 8th
Dale Earnhardt Jr (LW-8)- I know it was a harsh drop last week, but he gets a big jump back up this week. Jr has been good, but I haven't seen great just yet. If he keeps stringing up top 10's he will eventually get that win in 2015. Finish: 6th
Joey Logano (LW-2)- First race of the season where JoLo didn't lead at least a lap. In fact, he had lead at least 31 laps in every race so far. It was a mediocre day but the team still finished inside the top 10. Finish: 7th
Ryan Newman (LW-5)- All Newman does is sneak up on you and finish in the top 10. Since his rough outing at Daytona he has done that every race. He already has 3 top 5's after a season in which he totaled 5. Finish: 5th
Jimmie Johnson (LW-8)- JJ already has a win, has been running pretty well, and is 8th? Ironically he is also 8th in points this week. It just shows how much parity is in NASCAR right now past Harvick. Finish: 9th
Paul Menard (LW-11)- Before Auto Club Menard had four finishes in a row of 14th or better, but no top 10's. Paul left ACS with his first top 5 of the season. He has started out 2015 solid. Finish: 4th
Matt Kenseth (LW-10)- The #20 pit crew really killed it on Sunday. Numerous times they put Kenseth up front with his great pit spot with no one in front of him. Kenseth had a good car but it just couldn't keep the lead from the 41 and 4 and eventually broke an axle during a pit. Finish: 31st
Kasey Kahne (LW-6)- Pretty quiet day for Kahne overall. His average running position was 17th and thats right where he finished. Finish: 17th
Jeff Gordon (LW-NR)- Back in the power rankings after being on the outside looking in for a few races, Gordon has put together quiet back to back top 10's. Sunday he was never really a front runner but still got a good finish. Finish: 10th