Underdog Role Fine with Keselowski
By: Pete Pistone on September 18, 2011 | 10:36 A.M. EST
Keselowski will start sixth in the GEICO 400. (Photo: Jeff Wackerlin)
PrintEmail ShareBrad Keselowski has no problem with not being considered a championship favorite as he makes his first appearance as a member of the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup field.
Keselowski took one of the two wild card entries to score a berth in the NASCAR playoff race but is still not being mentioned in the same breath as Jimmie Johnson, Jeff Gordon or Kyle Busch as a title contender.
But the Penske Racing driver is fine with perhaps being overlooked despite what he believes is a major accomplishment just to be part of the twelve-driver field.
“Absolutely. It’s an honor just to be in the Chase,” Keselowski said. “I’ll never forget being able to take that picture on the stage with all the guys that have made the Chase. Most of those guys have been in the Chase, I think all of ‘em have been in the Chase multiple times, so it’s quite an honor to be on that stage with them and to be sharing the spotlight.
“And again, that doesn’t mean that I’m not still hungry. I still got a lot more to prove and looking forward to the opportunity to prove it. I’m certainly honored to be in the Chase. It’s a huge accomplishment in this sport.”
Keselowski will start as the 11th seed when things begin Sunday in the GEICO 400 at Chicagoland Speedway and needs to climb over some big names in the sport to get closer to the top. Many of those drivers, such as his teammate Kurt Busch, Carl Edwards, Kyle Busch, Kevin Harvick and Jimmie Johnson, have made multiple appearances in the championship run.
Keselowski understands that experience may be beneficial but believes his team is up to the challenge.
“The experience is sort of going to be advantage; it’s just a matter of how much,” Keselowski said. “But I think if you look at it over the last two years, what it takes to win the Chase over the last few years has changed dramatically each and every year, as far as what numbers you need to put up and so forth and how the car’s driving.
“Heck, even this year, just the points system itself. I think, you know, you just got to keep it simple in some ways. Sometimes it’s easier to keep it simple when you just don’t know any better. We don’t know any better which might just be an advantage.”
One advantage Keselowski may have this weekend is a win earlier this year at Kansas Speedway, considered Chicagoland’s sister track and very similar in layout. His victory in the STP 400 back in June could play a factor in Keselowski enjoying success Sunday in Joliet.
“They are similar in natures, yes,” Keselowski said of the two tracks. “That win was a big turning point for us in our season and gave us confidence in our mile and a half program. Sure we hope some of that will carry over to Chicago.”
Even with that possible benefit, Keselowski is still not on some competitors’ radar. But he has no problem with it.
“I’m sure that there are probably a few that are a little more nervous about us than what they are willing to let on but that’s okay,” he laughed. “I don’t mind, like I say, going into this somewhat quiet but I haven’t done a good job of keeping quiet about it, but I don’t mind going into it with somewhat of a quiet demeanor with low expectations because, you know, it just takes the pressure off my whole team.
“I’m kind of glad, to be honest, that we’re not getting a lot of push for a lot of credit, in some ways. You know, I want my guys to get credit, don’t get me wrong, but I want to get credit for doing the job in the Chase, not before it ever starts and being under pressure. I enjoy not having the pressure and I think it’s good for my whole team. It makes it a lot easier for everybody.”
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