In 2021, Brad Keselowski came within inches of glory. The All-Star Race at Texas Motor Speedway was his moment, so close, yet cruelly out of reach. Chasing Kyle Larson in the final laps, Keselowski gave everything he had. He edged ahead out of Turn 4, only to be swallowed back up by the blistering pace of Larson’s Hendrick-powered car. When the checkered flag waved, Keselowski finished just 0.2 seconds behind. The disappointment cut deep. “It feels like running second to the Hendrick cars right now is an accomplishment. They are just stupid fast,” he said.

That second-place finish haunted him. For a veteran like Keselowski, it wasn’t just another race. It was a chance to prove he still had the edge against NASCAR’s elite. In a new All-Star format built for chaos, Keselowski executed flawlessly. Yet he left Texas with only frustration and a moral victory. His Discount Tire Ford came close, but Larson and Hendrick Motorsports were a mountain too steep. It was the type of loss that sticks with your soul. For someone used to winning, that stung.

Now, four years later, the fire hasn’t dimmed. If anything, it burns brighter. As NASCAR returns to North Wilkesboro for All-Star Weekend, Keselowski is back with a vengeance. After a brutal season filled with setbacks, he’s starting from the pole at North Wilkesboro. It’s more than just a chance at his first All-Star win. For Keselowski, this is personal. He’s not just chasing a check, he’s chasing redemption.

Brad Keselowski eyes redemption at North Wilkesboro!

Coming to North Wilkesboro, Brad Keselowski and his No.6 RFK racing team had massive struggles. In 12 starts, he had recorded zero top 10 finishes. His average finish was a bleak 27.17, and he had failed to complete five races. Three straight DNFs had left his team reeling. There were no laps led, no headlines, and no momentum. The numbers painted a grim picture. But through it all, Keselowski kept grinding. In All-Star qualifying, he clinched pole position and saw a huge ray of hope for a comeback.

When asked about weathering the storm, Keselowski was honest. “I’m not going to say it’s been easy to weather the storm the last few months. But it’s part of the juice; going through the struggles makes you appreciate the good times. Yeah, we’ve had struggles, but there’s a lot to be optimistic about… I feel a lot of pieces coming together that bode well for us. We’re putting ourselves in a position to grow, and hopefully to win races. We’re going to have a shot to win this race come Sunday,” he said.

That optimism came to life under the lights on Saturday. After securing the pole on Friday, Keselowski backed it up by winning Heat Race 1 in style. He held off late charges from Ross Chastain and William Byron, both with fresher tires. It was a statement drive. It was control, power, and poise, all rolled into 75 laps. The win in Heat 1 meant Keselowski would start the All-Star race from the front row. It also meant momentum, something he hadn’t had in months. And more than that, it gave him a shot. “It’s been a good two days for everyone on this No. 6 crew. This is fun,” he said after.

But reality hasn’t been kind lately. His last win came at Darlington in 2024, ending a brutal 110-race drought. That Darlington triumph was gritty. He stayed calm while chaos erupted ahead. When Tyler Reddick and Chris Buescher wrecked, Keselowski didn’t blink. He pounced. That win ended a nightmare, but the nightmare didn’t stay away for long. Since then, he’s gone winless again, 34 races and counting. He hasn’t led a lap in 2025. The doubters came back. The questions got louder. But Keselowski’s not folding. He has nothing guaranteed heading into Sunday’s race. But he has a belief. And sometimes, belief is all a racer needs to light the fire again.

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Keselowski wants the All-Star race back in Charlotte!

After a strong start at North Wilkesboro, Brad Keselowski wasn’t shy about making his voice heard. But this time, it wasn’t about lap times or pit stops. It was about the future of NASCAR’s All-Star showcase. Speaking with reporters after locking up the pole, the veteran driver made a clear demand. He asked NASCAR officials to bring back points races at North Wilkesboro and shift the All-Star race back to Charlotte. For Keselowski, this wasn’t just about nostalgia. It was about what’s best for the sport.

“I think this needs to be a points racetrack. I’d like to see the All-Star Race most likely return to Charlotte. That’s my personal opinion. I think the Charlotte racetrack, particularly since it only has one race on the oval, I think that’s a miss for our sport. It’s a great racetrack and puts on some of the best racing, so it would make sense to me if we were to revert back to that and make this a season race and probably get rid of a race like the Roval or something like that,” he told the media.

It was a rare and honest moment of clarity from a driver who doesn’t often wade into political waters. But on this, Keselowski didn’t hold back. “I thought that’s what we judge the sport by,” he said. For him, the numbers speak for themselves. And if NASCAR is listening, he hopes they’ll consider what he believes is a much-needed return to form. Until that happens, the All-Star race stays at Wilkesboro. But if Keselowski’s words carry weight, and with his status as a past champion and team co-owner, they might, then this debate is far from over.