Early Penske Debut for Keselowski
By Racingone.com
Brad Keselowski will compete for Penske Racing in the final three NASCAR Cup Series races of the 2009 season. Keselowski will drive the No. 12 Penske Dodge in the upcoming races at Texas (Nov. 8), Phoenix (Nov. 15) and Homestead (Nov. 22).
In September, Penske Racing announced that Keselowski would join the team full-time beginning in 2010. The talented 25-year-old native of Rochester Hills, Mich. will drive the No. 12 Penske Dodge in the Cup Series next season and he will also compete for the team in the No. 22 Discount Tire Dodge in the 2010 Nationwide Series.
Over the final three Cup Series events of 2009, Keselowski will step in for David Stremme and work with the Penske Dodge team in the car that will become his full-time ride next season.
"Penske Racing wants to give Brad an opportunity to work with the team and get to know the race car as we prepare for the 2010 season," said Roger Penske. "These three races will provide a good base for both Brad and the team as we head into next year. Penske Racing also thanks David Stremme for his contributions to the team this year. We wish David the very best moving forward."
Keselowski has competed in 12 Cup Series races to date this season, posting four top-10 results, including his first series win as he captured the checkered flag in April at Talladega.
"I am very excited to begin working with the Penske Racing team and I look forward to competing in the No. 12 Penske Dodge in the final three Cup Series races of the year," said Keselowski. "We all have high expectations for next season and beyond and being able to race with the team this year will only help us as we look toward 2010."
In addition to his Cup Series success with limited seat time this season, Keselowski is also currently ranked third in the Nationwide Series championship standings. With four wins, two poles and 20 top-five finishes, Keselowski trails only Cup Series standouts Kyle Busch and Carl Edwards in the driver rankings.