(By Sarah Farlee Managing Editor, CupScene.com)
Posted: Saturday,August 14th, 2010
Brooklyn, Mich., - It may have been a brand new car on track at the Michigan International Speedway, but Brad Keselowski picked up another win in Saturday’s CARFAX 250 – the Rochester Hills, Michigan, natives fourth win of the season.
The past 14 of 18 Nationwide Series races have been won by Sprint Cup regulars – particularly Joe Gibbs Racing, and Penske Racing. Four points separate the two owners in the owner’s championship race.
The race to the championship will include integration of a new car. Michigan marked the second time the new Nationwide Series car was on track. The new car debuted earlier this summer at Daytona where two-time series champion Dale Earnhardt, Jr. won in the sentimental favorite, number 3.
BROOKLYN, MI - AUGUST 14: Brad Keselowski, driver of the #22 Discount Tire Dodge, waves an American Flag out of his window in celebration of winning the NASCAR Nationwide Series CARFAX 250 at Michigan International Speedway on August 14, 2010 in Brooklyn, Michigan. (Photo by Jerry Markland/Getty Images for NASCAR)
The general consensus was the new cars were fun to drive.
“These new cars are sweet to drive,” said winner Keselowski, who dominated much of the race despite clutch problems and stalling on pit road.
“Our car was just that good, it didn’t matter,” added Keselowski.
The car was so good Keselowski had an 11 second lead prior to the first caution coming out for Chase Austin’s expired engine on lap 62. Keselowski’s clutch issues were discovered coming off pit road and losing a spot to Paul Menard.
“I kept loosing spots on pit road because of that,” said Keselowski, who struggled on all three of the pit stops made throughout the race.
On the first restart Keselowski dropped back to third after Menard and Carl Edwards were able to jump out front. Edwards and Keselowski battled for the lead, and on lap 84 Keselowski was able to get it back.
“I wish our car was a little faster, but having a new car and finishing that strong felt good,” said second place finisher Edwards, who anticipates all teams will improve over time when it comes to the new car.
“I noticed some teams struggled and some teams raced really well,” Edwards said. “As we go on I think we’ll be competitive with it.”
BROOKLYN, MI - AUGUST 14: Brad Keselowski, driver of the #22 Discount Tire Dodge, celebrates with his crew in victory lane after winning the NASCAR Nationwide Series CARFAX 250 at Michigan International Speedway on August 14, 2010 in Brooklyn, Michigan. (Photo by Geoff Burke/Getty Images for NASCAR)
Kyle Busch finished third, but didn’t feel the team was competitive.
“We missed it pretty bad,” said Busch. “We didn’t have a third place car at all.”
“We’re behind on the COT program,” Busch added.
Busch may feel behind, but fourth place finisher Justin Allgaier thinks the new car could mean opportunity.
“I feel like this car cleans a slate and opens up a new avenue for these teams to work on,” Allgaier said.
The avenue to victory was clear for Keselowski who started the day on the pole, making it the first victory for the Penske driver from the pole position.
Paul Menard finished fifth, Joey Logano was sixth. Elliott Sadler driving for JR Motorsports finished seventh, Reed Sorenson was eighth and Colin Braun was ninth. Kevin Harvick rounded out the top-10.
Keselowski reamins the Nationwide Series point’s leader 347 points over Edwards. Busch is 503 points back, Allgaier is 645 points back and Kevin Harvick is 796 points behind.
Other notes from the Carfax 250:
On lap 71 Jason Leffler was forced to the garage with an expired engine. Leffler would finish 34th and remain 10th in the Nationwide points standings.
The second caution of the day came following contact between Steven Wallace and Michael Annett. The initial contact was minor, but the second round of contact forced Annett into the wall and the yellow was displayed. Annett finished 16th and Wallace finished 18th.
During the second caution period Harvick, who had made a charge toward the front, had damage to the front grill after running over a right side window laying on the track. The crew dug a piece of Plexiglas from the grill and Harvick returned to the track without other damage. Harvick finished 10th.
Brendan Gaughn had engine issues with eight to go. There was no caution, but Gaughn was forced to the garage and would finish 32nd.
Danica Patrick’s return to fenders resulted in a 27th place finish, four laps down. Patrick started 33rd and was lapped before coming to pit road to make major adjustments to a loose car. Patrick was also given a pass-thru penalty for failing to stay below the blend line.
Ryan Truex the 18-year-old driver for Michael Waltrip Racing finished 12th in the second race for the rookie driver.
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