E
ElliottFan
Guest
Didnt MWR steal some Roush suspension parts one year in the garage area?
Dear Brad Keselowski: Shut up and drive
- Thread starter HoneyBadger
- Start date
ted@economy
in the interest of equal time
I believe that Brad shoots from the hip and says what he thinks . I believe that this is a rarity in today's Nascar . If that is what he thinks , I'd much rather hear it than the stock white bread response we get from most drivers . Accusing him of whineing comes with the territory ,I suppose , but there will come a day when he will simply thank his sponsors and decline to comment.
1
#17D500winner
Guest
He certainly has a different style from, say, Tony Stewart, but is he really doing himself or his fans any favours with statements such as the ones he's made this year? I didn't hear Hendrick complaining that Penske beat him last year by stealing away Keselowski.
For someone who appears to know so much, you'd think he'd understand Nascar fans and pulic perception a bit better. I hope Penske himself gets asked about these allegations
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#17D500winner
Guest
http://www.jayski.com/cupnews.htm#20130615f
GIBBS STATEMENT: Joe Gibbs Racing (JGR) released the following statement from Owner Joe Gibbs in response to the recent comments made by driver Brad Keselowski: "We were surprised to read the recent comments and accusations made by Brad Keselowski. Clearly those comments are misguided and irresponsible. Brad's candor is well documented, but he would do well to only speak to subjects on which he is properly informed. Obviously NASCAR is a very competitive environment and we take our hiring processes seriously at JGR. The individual he referenced in his comments was working outside of the sport of NASCAR at the time we hired him. We have a great deal of respect for Roger Penske and his organization and I feel like I have always had a good personal relationship with Roger. We look forward to competing with Brad on the racetrack, but hope that he will use better judgment in the future before making such misinformed claims and accusations."(JGR)
HENDRICK: HMS owner Rick Hendrick also took offense to what Keselowski said. "The comments Brad reportedly made were misinformed,'' Hendrick said. "The truth is that we hired one tire changer, who was a backup for Penske and whose contract was up. We also brought over one mechanic from their Nationwide program and, when the Penske engine shop was closing, added a few of those people. What Brad left out was that his organization also hired one of our tire changers. All of this was above board and is part of doing business in a competitive environment. I take no issue with any of it, and I expect Roger [Penske] would say the same. Brad misrepresents the facts and spends a lot of time making insinuations and accusations about other teams when he should be focused on his own program and competing at a high level. I hope he figures that out and begins representing himself and the sport with more class."(ESPN)(6-15-2013)
Keselowski is playing 1 on 2, with 2 giants...good luck to him. One thing I will say is that Penske has never had any trouble finding a driver for the #2 car who is willing to talk - no matter the consequences.
GIBBS STATEMENT: Joe Gibbs Racing (JGR) released the following statement from Owner Joe Gibbs in response to the recent comments made by driver Brad Keselowski: "We were surprised to read the recent comments and accusations made by Brad Keselowski. Clearly those comments are misguided and irresponsible. Brad's candor is well documented, but he would do well to only speak to subjects on which he is properly informed. Obviously NASCAR is a very competitive environment and we take our hiring processes seriously at JGR. The individual he referenced in his comments was working outside of the sport of NASCAR at the time we hired him. We have a great deal of respect for Roger Penske and his organization and I feel like I have always had a good personal relationship with Roger. We look forward to competing with Brad on the racetrack, but hope that he will use better judgment in the future before making such misinformed claims and accusations."(JGR)
HENDRICK: HMS owner Rick Hendrick also took offense to what Keselowski said. "The comments Brad reportedly made were misinformed,'' Hendrick said. "The truth is that we hired one tire changer, who was a backup for Penske and whose contract was up. We also brought over one mechanic from their Nationwide program and, when the Penske engine shop was closing, added a few of those people. What Brad left out was that his organization also hired one of our tire changers. All of this was above board and is part of doing business in a competitive environment. I take no issue with any of it, and I expect Roger [Penske] would say the same. Brad misrepresents the facts and spends a lot of time making insinuations and accusations about other teams when he should be focused on his own program and competing at a high level. I hope he figures that out and begins representing himself and the sport with more class."(ESPN)(6-15-2013)
Keselowski is playing 1 on 2, with 2 giants...good luck to him. One thing I will say is that Penske has never had any trouble finding a driver for the #2 car who is willing to talk - no matter the consequences.
StandOnIt
Farm Truck
Drivers should stick to the script....I want to thank my team for giving me a good car, my sponsors..blah, blah, blah, and Nascar. In this case Kez was in the grey area, Nascar couldn't fine him, but they could make a few calls. Gotta feed the media machine.
ted@economy
in the interest of equal time
I'm trying to remember any driver who was praised for having something to say . I don't really recall one that sticks out on any consistant basis . Some , like Jeff Burton are respected , especially on safety related issues , but generally I guess it's better to just thank your sponsors and Nascar.
97forever
Team Owner
What a bunch of moralizers we have on here these days. Hell, the truth is, HMS (in particular)can either outspend or out bribe(which is NOT above Rick Hendrick) his way to about anything in NASCAR. Once a crook, always a crook.
Keselowski is right----all of the self appointed line-towers are wrong.
It's not rocket science, damn.
Keselowski is right----all of the self appointed line-towers are wrong.
It's not rocket science, damn.
StandOnIt
Farm Truck
I worked for a company one time that had me sign an agreement that I couldn't work for any competitor for a year if I quit or got fired. Probably wouldn't stand up in court, but this is nothing new to Nascar either. They all know each others secrets. took them a week or two last year to figure out Hendricks rear end setup. I thought it was funny then that Brad was the one that called them out on national TV. All the drivers knew that Hendrick had done something to the rear end, but they didn't say anything. Then the press was trying to photograph the 48 and crew members were all standing in the way. This year Penske tries the same thing and they get hammered. With the change to Ford and loosing your crew chief and part of your team, I can see why Brad is a bit pissed. Toyota gets a slap on the wrist, nothing happens to Hendrick, and Penske/Brad gets the short end of the stick.
97forever
Team Owner
Exactly what Brad is more or less saying.
To deny Rick Hendrick is the most influential man in Nascar is utter damned stupidity, no way to flower it up.
And to deny the most influential man in Nascar can't get concessions that some other teams(even if that 'other team' is a Roger Penske) cant is even more stupid.
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#17D500winner
Guest
People have differing opinions on a variety of subjects - that's life. If everyone on here was made a mod and each person deleted posts they didn't like, it'd be a pretty barren place.
I've read were some feel for employees of closed engine shops but now I'm also seeing that some - including Keselowski - don't agree with Hendrick giving some of the employees a job. Quite the conundrum.
I've read were some feel for employees of closed engine shops but now I'm also seeing that some - including Keselowski - don't agree with Hendrick giving some of the employees a job. Quite the conundrum.
StandOnIt
Farm Truck
I believe Brad named an aero director for the Ford team, not some tire changer. That guy would have all kinds of not only aero info, but could have access to the whole enchalata, pull down info, chassis setups, motor data.
"Keselowski cited two incidents where he claimed Hendrick and Gibbs who between them run the likes of series points leader and five-time Cup champ Jimmie Johnson, Jeff Gordon, Kyle Busch, Denny Hamlin and Dale Earnhardt Jr. lured away Ford team employees with big offers."Gibbs stole the Roush aero director and took all the information," said Keselowski. "And Hendricks took three employees from our Chase-winning team last year."(USA Today)(6-14-2013)
"Keselowski cited two incidents where he claimed Hendrick and Gibbs who between them run the likes of series points leader and five-time Cup champ Jimmie Johnson, Jeff Gordon, Kyle Busch, Denny Hamlin and Dale Earnhardt Jr. lured away Ford team employees with big offers."Gibbs stole the Roush aero director and took all the information," said Keselowski. "And Hendricks took three employees from our Chase-winning team last year."(USA Today)(6-14-2013)
97forever
Team Owner
Diplomatic phrasing. But this seems to be more of a case of solid employees being 'lured' from one team to another due to exorbiant offers/spending by one major and one minor mega team.
A simple non-disclosure contract would probably go a long way towards correcting that practice, although I have no idea how it could be implemented.
97forever
Team Owner
Again, correct. This is very near monopolizing---the NY yankees carried to a ridiculous degree.
Brad should be given a medal for speaking the outright, real world damned truth---rather than being bashed on internet forums by a bunch of armchair crew chiefs.
NASCAR COULD prevent this bs, of course....but seriously, what profit motive do they have to do the right thing?
None at all.
StandOnIt
Farm Truck
I talked to a lawyer friend about my deal, he said it wouldn't stand up in court, but I would be out lawyer fees probably. If they worked, they would have them. all it would be is a lawyer fest.$$$
StandOnIt
Farm Truck
What is also interesting is that Roush has so far had nothing to say about the whole thing and he is the one that lost the employee.
97forever
Team Owner
True, but Roush has been almost literally legislated and scalped out of competition. I doubt Jack's hands are totally clean either, tbh. He is almost certainly familiar with simply outgunning/spending/scalping the competition in other racing series and recognizes it when he sees it.
But Nascar is the sanctioning body for the bail-out brand and Jack knows it. He isn't likely to rock this boat much.
pjmolo
Director of driver attitude adjustments . . .
Just what the hell does that actually mean, anyway ?
Do his actions need to meet your (or my) approval in order to pass muster ?
And from the looks of this ad from Texas, his face isn't anywhere to be seen.
97forever
Team Owner
I know, dude. It's nonsense for anyone to claim that a certain bias in favor of some teams and against other teams doesn't exist BY THE SANCTION BODY and their pet journalist/media lackeys.
Brad falls outside of the golden-circle of Nascar approved money-boys and is therefore a 'whiner' rather than a 'plain-tellitlikeitis-speaker.'
It's ridiculous.
I don't label Brad a whiner by any means. I do find it ridiculous that he complains about employees moving from team to team when that has been happening since the beginning. Let's face it, any of us would move if another company waved a bigger paycheck in our face and said "come work for me".
97forever
Team Owner
Again, seems diplomacy and subtly are being used to church the terms a bit, TRL.
"Employees moving from one team to another' is a lot softer than late-night backroom scalping between backstabbers for three times the money that is bascially what Brad is implying.
And exactly what is occurring.
This is almost corporate espionage.
97forever
Team Owner
And please don't ban me, btw
!
!
97forever
Team Owner
"have this nasty little habit of going to other teams and outbidding other people and taking those employees and stealing our information." Brad Keselowski
I'm seriously doubting the current Sprint Cup champ is talking about a gasman switching jobs to pay a larger bass boat payment here.
I'm seriously doubting the current Sprint Cup champ is talking about a gasman switching jobs to pay a larger bass boat payment here.
Thegroundpounder99
Bull in a China Shop
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He didn't seem to have a problem w/ it when he was behind the wheel of his Hendrick engineered NNS car or when Hendrick put him in the 25 Sprint Cup car. He also didn't mention it in victory lane in his Hendrick powered #09 @ Talladega. Did he think JJ would blow a tire every week? Face it Brad, some manufacturers work harder then others, some drivers drive harder then others and some teams work harder then others Put your big boy pants on and go to work.
1
#17D500winner
Guest
All he has to do is offer some proof to back up his claims and skeptics - like me - can either suck it up or deny the truth. Either way, I'd like to make the decision for myself.
FenderBumper
The "good old days" ??
Rick Hendrick obviously pissed at Brad Keselowski accusations that HMS & Joe Gibbs took Ford employees ->
Hendrick statement ->
“Roger Penske and I are great friends and have raced together for years. We’ve always competed with the utmost respect, and I have immense admiration for his organization. You won’t find anyone at Hendrick Motorsports who feels differently.
“The comments Brad reportedly made were misinformed. The truth is that we hired one tire changer, who was a backup for Penske and whose contract was up. We also brought over one mechanic from their Nationwide program and, when the Penske engine shop was closing, added a few of those people. What Brad left out was that his organization also hired one of our tire changers.
“All of this was aboveboard and is part of doing business in a competitive environment. I take no issue with any of it, and I expect Roger would say the same.
"Brad misrepresents the facts and spends a lot of time making insinuations and accusations about other teams when he should be focused on his own program and competing at a high level. I hope he figures that out and begins representing himself and the sport with more class.”
---------------------------
Nice slap down by Rick. Brad is losing his mind if he thinks HMS hired these GEN 5 Dodge 'experts' to help him torpedo the GEN 6 Fords Brad now drives.
Brad used to be entertaining, but he's turned into a whining bitch this year. He needs to take his head out of his ass and get up on the wheel.
Hendrick statement ->
“Roger Penske and I are great friends and have raced together for years. We’ve always competed with the utmost respect, and I have immense admiration for his organization. You won’t find anyone at Hendrick Motorsports who feels differently.
“The comments Brad reportedly made were misinformed. The truth is that we hired one tire changer, who was a backup for Penske and whose contract was up. We also brought over one mechanic from their Nationwide program and, when the Penske engine shop was closing, added a few of those people. What Brad left out was that his organization also hired one of our tire changers.
“All of this was aboveboard and is part of doing business in a competitive environment. I take no issue with any of it, and I expect Roger would say the same.
"Brad misrepresents the facts and spends a lot of time making insinuations and accusations about other teams when he should be focused on his own program and competing at a high level. I hope he figures that out and begins representing himself and the sport with more class.”
---------------------------
Nice slap down by Rick. Brad is losing his mind if he thinks HMS hired these GEN 5 Dodge 'experts' to help him torpedo the GEN 6 Fords Brad now drives.
Brad used to be entertaining, but he's turned into a whining bitch this year. He needs to take his head out of his ass and get up on the wheel.
1
#17D500winner
Guest
That's pretty much what I was told after complaining that other teams had better bats then we did in softball. It worked
97forever
Team Owner
Keselowski's perspective from inside the sport gives him more insight than our perspective does from our living rooms.
pjmolo
Director of driver attitude adjustments . . .
If what Hendrick said are indeed the facts of the matter, then Keselowski should have known better than to go off like he did.
I don't have any problem with Keslowski's attitude or manner when addressing the media, but he'd better have his facts straight.
1
#17D500winner
Guest
I'm also inferring from Keselowski's statements that Roush and Penske aren't sharing info and he's blaming it on the threat of HMS/JGR getting an employee from the other guys camp.
1
#17D500winner
Guest
Same goes for Gibbs and Hendrick. So which side is correct?
StandOnIt
Farm Truck
He doesn't need proof, the big boys have already changed his story, spun it off. He had better watch it though, they can freeze him out very easily. When the chips are down, Penske, Hendrick, Gibbs, and Roush will cast him adrift and not miss a beat. Birds of a feather stick together.
FenderBumper
The "good old days" ??
That was a good one. Roush was running around accusing Toyota of contacting a manufacturer he knows and trying to get a duplicate of his secret swaybar made.
Maybe Brad is angeling for a ride with Jack?
1
#17D500winner
Guest
If it is, in fact, a no-win situation for Keselowski, why would he even mention it to the media? But I do agree that the big boys will stick together and no ONE driver is likely to change that.
FenderBumper
The "good old days" ??
that's his problem lately. It's great to say what you think, unless you don't....(think).
This could be entertaining if it starts a real rivalry between Brad and the HMS drivers. He's been saying he wants guys to race each other with more attitude and put on a show, and this may do the trick.
97forever
Team Owner
I always try to side with the one without the convicted felon, personally.
Whizzer
Gig'em
1
#17D500winner
Guest
Fair enough. I'm going with Gibbs on this one until someone presents proof of the accusations.
Makes for some good discussion, though
FenderBumper
The "good old days" ??
lol Nice shot. Brad should bring that up to start a real rivalry.
StandOnIt
Farm Truck
Good point FB. He woke em up, just like last year when he pointed out Hendrick's trick rear ends.
97forever
Team Owner
I didn't think anyone remembered "Suitcase" Jake Elder.
Dude, EVERYONE(on here) should remember Elder!
Not in anyway at all even remotely applicable to this discussion, but the guy was a legend.