“When it comes to playoff contenders, you do think about them at most of the races, but not Talladega.” These words came from Michael McDowell shortly before he clinched his second pole of 2025. McDowell turned in a lap of 182.466 mph in the No. 71 Spire Motorsports Chevrolet, grabbing the Yellawood 500 pole position. However, he could not capitalize on this start and faded to 17th by the end of the race. But his top storyline may have been more than just the Talladega pole.

This race marked a crucial event for playoff contenders, as it was the penultimate chance to grab a Championship 4 seat. The Team Penske drivers, Joey Logano and Ryan Blaney, were especially in tense spots. That is why they fumed at Brad Keselowski following a mishap – although its culprit now appears to be someone else.

Brad Keselowski’s spotter deflects the spotlight

Ryan Blaney and Joey Logano, who have dominated the Cup Series titles for the last three years, were running 2nd and 3rd. It was the final stage of the Talladega race, and the Penske stars were convinced that one of them would win and advance to Phoenix. However, their pace steadily fell, and they rapidly fell back through the field. At first glance, Brad Keselowski, RFK Racing driver/owner and fellow Ford driver, did not push them from behind. Roger Penske’s fold accused the veteran of “saving gas” and running half-throttle.

Yet Jeremy Bullins, the No. 6 RFK crew chief, denied that ever happened. Even TJ Majors, Brad Keselowski’s spotter, denied it explicitly on a ‘Dale Jr Download’ episode. Instead, Majors observed an overlooked role that Michael McDowell had to play. Majors said, “The biggest mistake here is them letting the 34 get clear on the outside. From the time we took off, there was no lifting. Brad gets to Joey. He doesn’t lift…The only time that we start having to manage it is when we’re fourth in line on the bottom.”

Despite clinching the pole, the 2021 Daytona 500 winner had a slow car on Sunday. And Michael McDowell’s slow pace ended up worsening Team Penske’s aerodynamic needs. Brad Keselowski‘s spotter continued, “Also, the reason why the inside lane was fading once the 34 got there is because the 34 had not been up front all day. Yeah. He could not manage the gaps as good as Blaney and Joey could, and Brad that one time. He didn’t know. He’s not as refined at backing up and getting the push at the right spots.” 

The immense gap that unfolded between Roger Penske’s cars and Brad Keselowski was still bizarre. It was not a fuel mileage issue, so even Dale Jr. was surprised. And the veteran offered an explanation of his own for Penske’s accusation. “I guess they were surprised that there wasn’t a better speed on the inside line…I think what they’re saying is how come the inside line wasn’t more organized? Wasn’t tighter. There was bigger gaps, more gaps between cars…The outside line is much more organized.”

While the Talladega dilemma is producing a variety of narratives, Brad Keselowski’s stance is also vague. Yet insiders defended his moves recently.

Avoiding any risk of disaster

Brad Keselowski has been a superspeedway genius over his career. He owns 6 trophies at Talladega and three in Daytona. At the same time, he has been known for his aggressive pushes. He clashed with other veterans like Kevin Harvick and Jeff Gordon in the past. Although the RFK owner has been riding a winless streak, flashes of that aggression still appear on the racetrack. During the April 2025 race in Talladega, Keselowski collided with Kyle Busch and then with an oncoming Ryan Blaney. It derailed an otherwise steady day for the veteran. So, his crew chief did not want to take any chances in October.

That is what Jordan Bianchi, The Athletic’s reporter, used to explain Brad Keselowski’s lack of a push. If it got too aggressive, then Roger Penske’s drivers would have been angrier. “Many times, Brad has always been accused of being too aggressive in a push. So, knowing that, if he is concerned about that in a race where bump drafts are really aggressive, it would make sense theoretically…That could be a thing, but for whatever reason, it didn’t happen. He did not push, there was no push, they fell apart, they fell back, and from that moment on, from 17 laps to go, the Penske dream was dead.”

Evidently, many alternative theories are emerging to acquit Brad Keselowski of the Talladega dilemma. Now, the Penske drivers have no choice but to move on – let’s wait and see if one of them can capitalize in Martinsville.