Brad Keselowski, driver of the #12 Penske Racing Dodge, is interviewed during NASCAR media day at Daytona International Speedway. (Photo: Getty Images)
Article by Jeff Hood, RacinToday.com
It’s no secret that NASCAR driver Brad Keselowski is rarely shy when it comes to using the front bumper.
The Michigan native’s aggressive nature was on display for all to see last season during his much-publicized on-track feud with Denny Hamlin.
So when NASCAR announced last month they are encouraging drivers to do more beating and banging during the upcoming season, it’s almost as if they pulled a page out of the 25-year-old driver’s playbook.
“I’m already right there for the most part,” said Keselowski, when asked about NASCAR’s new policy. “It will be interesting to see how other drivers in the sport change.
“When I met with NASCAR in Phoenix last year, they pretty much told me that’s the way the sport was pretty much going to go and they were going to be OK with it. So I didn’t see it as much of a surprise. I’m more interested in seeing the actions of other drivers versus myself.”
A second generation racer, Keselowski admitted during NASCAR media day on Thursday that he’s willing to do whatever it takes to win.
“I’d prefer to win honorably,” said Keselowski, who captured his first Sprint Cup win in spectacular fashion last spring at Talladega following a final turn collision with Carl Edwards. “I can’t always say that I’ve done that. Hopefully, we can put together strong enough cars this year to where we can win without drama.
“A goal of mine is to win a race and look back and have nobody say, ‘He screwed me over to do it.’ That’s the way race car drivers are: we never get beat fairly, just ask us.
“That’s part of the sport. The approach is to go out there and win and do the best that we can every week. We’ll see where that takes us.”
Because of his frequent dustups with Hamlin and others, some might question if the incidents have damaged his credibility with other drivers.
