Suddenly Brad Keselowski has the NASCAR world at his feet

Brad Keselowski, driver of the #2 Miller Lite Dodge, crosses the finish line to finish in sixth place in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series AdvoCare 500 at Phoenix International Raceway on November 11, 2012 in Avondale, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
Brad Keselowski, driver of the #2 Miller Lite Dodge, crosses the finish line to finish in sixth place in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series AdvoCare 500 at Phoenix International Raceway on November 11, 2012 in Avondale, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)

Brad Keselowski is no longer David to NASCAR’s Goliath. Trouble for point’s leader Jimmie Johnson Sunday at Phoenix International Raceway combined with a sixth place finish for Keselowski led to Keselowski being firmly in control of NASCAR’s Chase with one race to go.

After starting 24th, Johnson seemed to be lacking the speed to contend for the win. As is his style however, he was able to make it inside the top 10 in the second half of the race. Despite Keselowski running inside the top five, it looked for a time at least that Johnson would leave Phoenix relatively unscathed.  Then disaster struck.

On lap 235 the right front tire on Johnson’s Chevy blew out sending the five time champion into the wall. He was soon in the garage area while the crew furiously worked to repair the damage. Johnson would eventually return but finish the day in 32nd.

Brad Keselowski is now on the cusp of his first NASCAR Sprint Cup title. At Homestead all he has to do is finish 15th or better; or 16th and at least one lap led; or 17th and the most laps led, even if Johnson wins and leads the most laps. BK came into the Chase as an underdog; a new kid on the block who many thought would need some more experience before he contended for a title. But Keselowski has defied the odds, winning races in the Chase and putting together some runs that surprised many. He will race one more time this season fully in control of his own destiny with a pretty good shot of giving himself and team owner Roger Penske their first NASCAR Sprint Cup title. MORE>>>

Greg Engle
About Greg Engle 7421 Articles
Greg is a published award winning sportswriter who spent 23 years combined active and active reserve military service, much of that in and around the Special Operations community. Greg is the author of "The Nuts and Bolts of NASCAR: The Definitive Viewers' Guide to Big-Time Stock Car Auto Racing" and has been published in major publications across the country including the Los Angeles Times, the Cleveland Plain Dealer and the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. He was also a contributor to Chicken Soup for the NASCAR Soul, published in 2010, and the Christmas edition in 2016. He wrote as the NASCAR, Formula 1, Auto Reviews and National Veterans Affairs Examiner for Examiner.com and has appeared on Fox News. He holds a BS degree in communications, a Masters degree in psychology and is currently a PhD candidate majoring in psychology. He is currently the weekend Motorsports Editor for Autoweek.