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LOUDON, NH – SEPTEMBER 19: Brad Keselowski, driver of the #2 Miller Lite Ford, sits in the garage area during practice for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Sylvania 300 at New Hampshire Motor Speedway in Loudon, New Hampshire. (Photo by Jonathan Ferrey/Getty Images)
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LOUDON, NH – SEPTEMBER 19: Brad Keselowski, driver of the #2 Miller Lite Ford, sits in the garage area during practice for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Sylvania 300 at New Hampshire Motor Speedway in Loudon, New Hampshire. (Photo by Jonathan Ferrey/Getty Images)
In the NASCAR Cup Series’ recent history, one long-time campaigner and a popular figure amongst racing fans is Brad Keselowski. The 36-year-old has spent a little more than a decade in the top division and entertained audiences with his gritty racecraft on the field.
One interesting fact about him is that he was also a former team owner, operating his own team named Brad Keselowski Racing. Sadly, in 2017, the team had to shut down, with a lack of profitability being one of the reasons.
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That said, the team has given opportunities to some fantastic drivers in its existence. Two of those drivers are Chase Briscoe and Ryan Blaney, who will be racing full time in the Cup Series next year.
Briscoe and Blaney hail ‘generous’ Brad Keselowski
Briscoe stated, “It’s been pretty incredible to see how many incredible drivers came from BKR and have success in all of the series. Definitely has a good eye for talent. Glad to be one of the guys that got to drive for Brad because it’s certainly an impressive list.”
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TALLADEGA, AL – OCTOBER 14: Chase Briscoe, Cooper Standard Ford F150 during qualifying for the Freds 250 Camping World Truck Series race at Talladega Motor Speedway in Talladega Alabama.(Photo by Jeff Robinson/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
Prior to the team’s shutdown, Briscoe won the team’s very last race in the Truck Series at the Homestead-Miami Speedway in 2017. Blaney also raced two full-time seasons for BKR, winning four races during his time.
Blaney added his thoughts and said, “You never forget those people who give you shots – out of nowhere. We were just running for a small team at the time.”
“Brad was very generous enough to give us an opportunity, and we were just really fortunate it worked out. … I still look at him as a mentor and a teammate now – and a friend,” concluded Blaney.
BKR’s former protégés will now compete full-time in the Cup Series
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TALLADEGA, AL – OCTOBER 13: Brad Keselowski, driver of the #2 Miller Lite Ford, stands by his car during qualifying for the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series 1000Bulbs.com 500 at Talladega Superspeedway on October 13, 2018 in Talladega, Alabama. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images)
Briscoe will get behind the wheel of the No.14 Ford at Stewart-Haas Racing in 2021. He arrives in the division with an impressive pedigree, winning in the Xfinity and Truck Series.
Meanwhile, Blaney heads into his fourth season with Team Penske, after a good 2020 campaign in which he won nine races.
Both drivers will always hold their mentor Keselowski in the highest regard, for guiding them on this route to success.
