Keselowski: Racing for JR Motorsports is 'different'
What a difference a year makes for Brad Keselowski. Last year, Keselowski had yet to start a NASCAR Busch Series race when his under funded Keith Coleman Racing team headed to California Speedway.
Keselowski was simply hoping to qualify for the race at California. He did, starting 32nd and finishing three laps down in 37th in his Busch debut.
Now, Keselowski heads to California with bigger things on his mind. He landed a ride with JR Motorsports, one of the better Busch Series teams, and simply getting in the race isn't the issue. Running up front and posting a top-10 finish are legitimate goals.
"Going back to California with JR Motorsports will be a completely different experience for me," Keselowski said. "Last year I was running for another team when I attempted to make my first Busch race at California. Our focus with that program was just to qualify for the race since the team wasn't guaranteed a starting spot. I made it in on time, but struggled with the car during the race, lost a few laps and didn't end up with a great finish."
The No. 88 team has a guaranteed starting spot in Saturday's Camping World 300, and Keselowski hopes to run near the front in the race.
"Working with the Navy team is very different," Keselowski said of his team, which is sponsored by the U.S. Navy. "I'm excited to go back to the track with a competitive car and a team that has a shot at a top-10 or a top-five run. It makes a huge difference to show up with a team that has all the parts and pieces in place to run up front."
Keselowski has five starts with the team owned by Dale Earnhardt Jr., positing four finishes of 14th or better, including a seventh at Bristol last weekend.
"I'm looking forward to racing in California with Brad," crew chief Wes Ward said. "He's done a great job in the four or five races he's run for us so far. Our communication and understanding of what he needs in the car continues to improve each week."
Keselowski's car will sport a new paint scheme this weekend, as the team honors the 65th Anniversary of the Seabees, the U.S. Navy's construction battalion. The car will be tan with a Seabees logo on the hood.
What a difference a year makes for Brad Keselowski. Last year, Keselowski had yet to start a NASCAR Busch Series race when his under funded Keith Coleman Racing team headed to California Speedway.
Keselowski was simply hoping to qualify for the race at California. He did, starting 32nd and finishing three laps down in 37th in his Busch debut.
Now, Keselowski heads to California with bigger things on his mind. He landed a ride with JR Motorsports, one of the better Busch Series teams, and simply getting in the race isn't the issue. Running up front and posting a top-10 finish are legitimate goals.
"Going back to California with JR Motorsports will be a completely different experience for me," Keselowski said. "Last year I was running for another team when I attempted to make my first Busch race at California. Our focus with that program was just to qualify for the race since the team wasn't guaranteed a starting spot. I made it in on time, but struggled with the car during the race, lost a few laps and didn't end up with a great finish."
The No. 88 team has a guaranteed starting spot in Saturday's Camping World 300, and Keselowski hopes to run near the front in the race.
"Working with the Navy team is very different," Keselowski said of his team, which is sponsored by the U.S. Navy. "I'm excited to go back to the track with a competitive car and a team that has a shot at a top-10 or a top-five run. It makes a huge difference to show up with a team that has all the parts and pieces in place to run up front."
Keselowski has five starts with the team owned by Dale Earnhardt Jr., positing four finishes of 14th or better, including a seventh at Bristol last weekend.
"I'm looking forward to racing in California with Brad," crew chief Wes Ward said. "He's done a great job in the four or five races he's run for us so far. Our communication and understanding of what he needs in the car continues to improve each week."
Keselowski's car will sport a new paint scheme this weekend, as the team honors the 65th Anniversary of the Seabees, the U.S. Navy's construction battalion. The car will be tan with a Seabees logo on the hood.