Brad Keselowski is not surprised with how well Team Penske is running this well because he’s aware of how hard the organization works for success.
Keselowski and his teammate Joey Logano have combined to win three of the first six races of the 2019 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series season. The stable’s other driver Ryan Blaney has scored three straight top-five finishes. That performance doesn’t come easy and Keselowski understands success is the result of many components working well.
“I think it takes a lot to win at this level and a lot of things have to come together is maybe more accurately said,” Keselowski said.
Keselowski points to Ford Motor Company and the moves the manufacturer has made in recent years as one of the biggest factors in the excellence.
“I think Ford bringing on Stewart-Haas was a good marker for Doug Yates and his group to push them as well, so that culmination has been really strong, some strong decisions made by Ford Motor Company that have kind of been high tides for all ships,” Keselowski explained. “If I was to look at anything, I would say that’s probably the biggest factor and it’s come together this year with the new car and the rules changes.”
Texas: Starting Lineup | Driver Averages
Sunday’s O’Reilly Auto Parts 500 at Texas Motor Speedway is the third race this year featuring the full 550 horsepower rules package. Las Vegas Motor Speedway and Auto Club Speedway were the two previous tracks to feature the complete package with the aero ducts. One of the by products in the early stages of drivers getting used to the new direction is the physicality behind the wheel.
“I think the cars are obviously a little hotter and there’s a number of reasons for that, more on-throttle time, probably more specifically on the shorter tracks to have the right side window in, so there’s a different between driving around with the windows down and with the windows up in a really hot car,” Keselowski said. “So, yeah, I would agree that they’re definitely more physically demanding and that’s part of the challenge. That one I don’t think really bothers me.”
Overall, Keselowski is a proponent of trying to increase the competition level while providing an entertaining product for fans. While the new rules have had their growing pains and there will certainly be more challenges ahead, Keselowski believes it’s worth the effort for the betterment of the sport.
“I think you can make the competition and entertainment better without always having to sacrifice one or the other and the notion that you can’t has always been very frustrating to me,” he said. “Those ideas are the ones that I think you should always throw out the window right away – anyone who tells you you have to trade and has an idea that requires a trade, so as far as where the balancing mark is, when I put my race car driver hat on I’ll be honest I put a concerted effort to say I don’t care as long as I have the fastest car of the group then everything else will figure its way out.
“It’s a tough line for the sport to walk. Obviously, the entertainment factor is important and integrity is important with the competition side. I’m not sure I’m the right person to always give an answer. I think at the end of the day the fans are pretty smart and they’ll give you their answer and they’ll answer you with ratings and attendance.”
