via Imago
Tony Stewart and Brad Keselowski | Credits – Imago
via Imago
Tony Stewart and Brad Keselowski | Credits – Imago
Finally, after getting really close for the past few races, Team Ford is back to winning. Thanks to the team having the best Ford cars running this season, at least by the looks of it. Brad Keselowski, the man of the hour, ended his frustrating 110-race winless streak at Darlington Raceway. The last time he won a Cup Series race was at Talladega Superspeedway in 2021.
Keselowski drove for Team Penske back then. He was indeed hungry for this win, and it was evident from the last few races. With the No. 6 car from RFK Racing achieving a starting spot just behind the pole, there was anticipation that he would make a strong bid for the race win. And so he did, thanks to his experience. But do you know that Keselowski, with this win, equaled the record held by Tony Stewart?
What Tony Stewart did in Sonoma, Keselowski did at Darlington today
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NASCAR and FOX’s senior journalist Bob Pockrass took to his X handle to get everyone aware of this achievement. It was the 36th win of Brad Keselowski’s career. But first, for his team. There is only one driver to have achieved this feat, and undoubtedly that is the co-owner of Stewart-Haas Racing.
In 2016, Stewart, battling with his 84-race winless streak, emerged victorious at the Sonoma Raceway. Stewart was in a position to win when he pitted 25 laps before the finish, and the caution came out one lap later. Everyone else on the lead lap pitted, and Stewart took the lead with 22 laps remaining. He held on to it nearly the rest of the way before Hamlin bumped him in Turn 7 to pass him on the last lap. Hamlin took the final turn wide, and Stewart was able to get underneath Hamlin to make the pass and win the race.
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“Keselowski is the first driver to win for the team he owns since Tony Stewart at Sonoma in 2016,” wrote Pockrass.
Keselowski is the first driver to win for the team he owns since Tony Stewart at Sonoma in 2016
— Bob Pockrass (@bobpockrass) May 12, 2024
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The fans were uproared as he blew the checkered flag from Ty Gibbs and Josh Berry. And, Brad Keselowski recognized the gamble involved in his departure from Penske. He mentioned that fans criticized him, especially after Austin Cindric’s victory at the 2022 Daytona 500. There were also digs thrown after the championship wins by Penske drivers Joey Logano and Ryan Blaney.
Fans suggested that Keselowski might have achieved those wins himself. Despite the criticism, the Darlington winner decided to stick to his decision as he was among the ones who created the blueprint for Roush Fenway Keselowski Racing.
Once again, there was a big celebration at Darlington, but the winner’s teammate was furious over his rival
The drama escalated in the last stages as Brad Keselowski surged to the front while his teammate #17, Chris Buescher, and Tyler Reddick vied for the lead. The race had only nine laps left. 23XI Racing’s Tyler Reddick, who won the most laps in the race, was overtaken by Buescher. The 31-year-old was confirmed as his first win of the season after the 0.001-second Kansas heartbreak.
It seems like he had to wait longer, as Reddick, who was trying to overtake being very close, collided and sent both of them to the extreme back of the queue. Buescher was visibly disappointed and was seen engaging in a heated argument post-race.
With Keselowski’s win, he returned his famous victory with the USA flag. Fans waited so long to have him back up there. On the other hand, Ty Gibbs clinched the runner-up spot in the final rankings. Josh Berry and Denny Hamlin took third and fourth places, respectively. Chase Briscoe, William Byron, Bubba Wallace, Justin Haley, and Michael McDowell rounded out the top ten.
For Buescher, it was a close call similar to his loss by a mere 0.001 second to Kyle Larson at Kansas, still the tightest finish in NASCAR’s history. For the first time in a while, three Ford cars finished in the Top 5.
With the win, Keselowski edges closer to the playoff spots. A lot will depend on the upcoming races as well. What are your predictions on how far Keselowski and his team will finish this season?
