On Sunday night, the YellaWood 500 Cup Series race at the Talladega Superspeedway came to an end. The track was always notorious for triggering multi-car pile-ups, popularly known as ‘The Big One’ and 13 cautions ensured that excitement was present at every turn. In light of this, Brad Keselowski had plenty to say about the multiple accidents. He said [https://twitter.com/NASCARonNBC/status/1312891001917313024?s=20], “I hope Tony Stewart’s [https://www.essentiallysports.com/nascar-news-watch-when-tony-stewart-threw-his-helmet-at-a-stunned-matt-kenseth/] watching. He’d be proud. We wrecked every car in the field. I wrecked four times in somebody else’s mess. The runs are just so fast, and everyone just wants to walk, and the runs are just too fast to block. We made it through somewhat okay, I guess.” Keselowski ultimately finished in 18th, after being in the thick of the action for a while. At least 26 cars bit the concrete wall during Sunday’s race at Talladega Superspeedway. ALSO READ- WATCH: When Tony Stewart Threw His Helmet at a Stunned Matt Kenseth [https://www.essentiallysports.com/nascar-news-watch-when-tony-stewart-threw-his-helmet-at-a-stunned-matt-kenseth/] WHAT ELSE DID BRAD KESELOWSKI SAY? After a disappointing finish, the #2 driver is now focusing on next weekend’s race at Charlotte Motor Speedway. The North Carolina race marks the final race in the Round of 12 Playoffs before the grid is whittled down to 8 drivers. Brad Keselowski is nestled comfortably in 5th place in the playoff standings. However, he knows that this is not a stage where he can allow complacency to settle. The 36-year-old insisted that even though he may seem comfortable in the championship, he still needs a good race to qualify. He concluded, “We got a decent points cushion going into the (Charlotte) Roval, but that’s going to be a madhouse. That’s going to be a lot of cars next week that are going to need a big race, so I hope we can get through with a solid day.” Keselowski can also take comfort in the fact that he was not the only playoff driver to face misfortune in Talladega. Nearly half the field got wiped out over the course of the race, so it would have thrown several drivers’ playoff hopes in jeopardy. As a result, the Penske driver is afraid that many of his playoff rivals will try to get ahead by hook or by crook. Exciting times ahead! 

In the wake of the YellaWood 500 Cup Series race at the Talladega Superspeedway,
Brad Keselowski expresses why he hopes Tony Stewart watched the race.

Dhruv George is a Senior NASCAR Author at EssentiallySports, with an impressive record of over 14K articles. From F1 driver Pierre Gasly to Moto2 rider Tony Arbolino, Dhruv has interviewed several racers, establishing himself as an authoritative voice in the world of motorsports. He not only writes engaging content but helps connect readers with some of the biggest racing names thanks to his ability to churn out exclusive interviews.

Dhruv's ambition extends beyond writing, as he aspires to host a successful motorsports podcast with some of the biggest stars in the industry, like Kyle Busch and Denny Hamlin. When he's not writing about Stock Car Racing, Dhruv can be found reading and writing fan fiction.

Dhruv George

Dhruv George is a Senior NASCAR Author at EssentiallySports, with an impressive record of over 14K articles. From F1 driver Pierre Gasly to Moto2 rider Tony Arbolino, Dhruv has interviewed several racers, establishing himself as an authoritative voice in the world of motorsports.

Dhruv George | Senior NASCAR Author at EssentiallySports

EssentiallySports

https://www.staging.essentiallysports.com/wp-content/uploads/es_circle_black_logo.png

Dhruv George is a Senior NASCAR Author at EssentiallySports, with an impressive record of over 14K articles. From F1 driver Pierre Gasly to Moto2 rider Tony Arbolino, Dhruv has interviewed several racers, establishing himself as an authoritative voice in the world of motorsports. He not only writes engaging content but helps connect readers with some of the biggest racing names thanks to his ability to churn out exclusive interviews. Dhruv's ambition extends beyond writing, as he aspires to host a successful motorsports podcast with some of the biggest stars in the industry, like Kyle Busch and Denny Hamlin. When he's not writing about Stock Car Racing, Dhruv can be found reading and writing fan fiction.

https://image-cdn.essentiallysports.com/wp-content/uploads/Dhruv-George-1-96x96.png

Dhruv George is a senior Formula One and NASCAR analyst for EssentiallySports,
having authored nearly 12000 articles spanning different sports like F1, NASCAR,
Tennis, NFL, and eSports. He graduated with a PG Diploma in Journalism from the
Xavier Institute of Communications. Dhruv has also conducted interviews with F1
driver Pierre Gasly and Moto2 rider Tony Arbolino. He has been an ardent
follower of motorsports sport since 2001, holding Carlos Sainz Jr. and McLaren
in high regard.

https://image-cdn.essentiallysports.com/wp-content/uploads/Dhruv_George.png

WATCH: When Tony Stewart Threw His Helmet at a Stunned Matt Kenseth

Brad Keselowski in action in NASCAR Cup Series

NASCAR: South Point 400

Sep 27, 2020; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; NASCAR Cup Series driver Brad Keselowski (2) during the South Point 400 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

NASCAR: South Point 400 - EssentiallySports

strong

“He’d Be Proud”: Brad Keselowski Hopes Tony Stewart Watched the Chaotic Race at
Talladega

Michael Jordans’ Entrepreneurial Drive Could Potentially Be the End of 23XI and
Denny Hamlin’s Dream

Sister Kelley & Jordan Fish React as Dale Jr’s Wife Sends Heart-melting Message
on Their Daughter’s Special Day

Denny Hamlin Reveals the Harsh Reality That Awaits NASCAR At the End of 2024 –
“We Just Wouldn’t Show up”

“That’s What Dale Earnhardt Did”—NASCAR Veteran Dissects Rick Hendrick’s Call to
Commit Financially Behind HMS Star

6 Years After Retiring, Danica Patrick Hops Behind the Wheel and Fans Can’t Get
Enough

US Army rides in style & safety! NASCAR champs win acclaim for reinforced Chevy troop carriers 

Hendrick Tech for Army Trucks

Rumors of SHR downsizing fly as sponsorships dry up & Michael Jordan’s team eyes a ‘bargain’


23XI Frontrunners For A Third Car?

We remember a racing legend whose name isn't as widely known as the brand he helped build.

Forgotten Brother Behind Chevrolet’s Legacy

Maximizing Success by Athlete Branding ft. Keenan Beasley

Behind the odds: Decoding 2024 NFL Draft

Championing Women in sport ft. Madisen Skinner

Delving into the business intricacies of the sports world ft. Chloe V. Mitchell

NASCAR

NASCAR Archives

LatestNASCAR - EssentiallySports News | EssentiallySports

<h1 style="text-align: center"><b>NASCAR Cup Series: Origin, Teams and More</b></h1>
<h2 style="text-align: center"><strong>What is the NASCAR Cup Series?</strong></h2>
NASCAR (National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing) is the authorizing body for stock-vehicle racing in North America. It was established in 1948 in Daytona Beach, Florida. Currently, the organization fields four types of tracks: Intermediate tracks, Superspeedways, Short Tracks and Road Courses.

[caption id="attachment_2675743" align="alignnone" width="5162"]<img class="wp-image-2675743 size-full" src="https://image-cdn.essentiallysports.com/wp-content/uploads/2024-02-20T005209Z_1919194866_MT1USATODAY22564783_RTRMADP_3_NASCAR-DAYTONA-500.jpg" alt="NASCAR" width="5162" height="3322" /> Feb 19, 2024; Daytona Beach, Florida, USA; NASCAR Cup Series drivers Corey LaJoie (7), Kyle Busch (8) and A.J. Allmendinger (16) race three wide for the lead during the Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports[/caption]
<h2 style="text-align: center"><strong>NASCAR Cup Series Origin</strong></h2>
The first-ever NASCAR race was held at Charlotte Fairgrounds Speedway on June 19, 1949 and Christian David "Jim" Roper was the victor after racer Glen Dunaway was disqualified for making illegal adjustments to his car.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p dir="ltr" lang="en">On this day in 1949, NASCAR held its first-ever "Strictly Stock" race.</p>
Thirty-three drivers raced at Charlotte Speedway, six of which were future NASCAR Hall of Famers. Jim Roper was declared the winner following a disqualification to Glenn Dunaway. <a href="https://t.co/yBUDRcRxVo">pic.twitter.com/yBUDRcRxVo</a>

— NASCAR (@NASCAR) <a href="https://twitter.com/NASCAR/status/1670832065690972160?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 19, 2023</a></blockquote>

<h2 style="text-align: center"><strong>Why is it named Cup Series? </strong></h2>
The NASCAR Cup Series is the pinnacle of the racing arrangement in the NASCAR classification. The arrangement started in 1949 and was called the Strictly Stock Division. The series was subsequently known as the Grand National Division from 1950 to 1970.

Then, in 1971, it started renting its naming rights to the R. J. Reynolds Tobacco Company and was alluded to as the NASCAR Winston Cup Series till 2003. From the next year onwards, the series came to be known as the NASCAR Nextel Cup Series till 2007 after a partnership with Nextel.

Sprint obtained Nextel in 2005 and 2008 saw the arrangement being renamed as the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series. Sprint remained the sponsor of the NASCAR Cup from 2008 to 2016. It was reported in December 2016 that Monster Energy would be the sponsor; therefore, the arrangement was renamed the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series from 2017 to 2019.

However, after decades of name changes, in 2017, the organization finally decided to shed off its old image and simply be named as the NASCAR Cup Series, with series sponsors being called 'Premier Partners'.
<h2 style="text-align: center"><strong>What is the format of the Cup Series?</strong></h2>
The NASCAR points system has been a complicated affair to say the least. Over the years, the organization has tried several iterations, namely the Latford system, the Chase and the current elimination playoffs format among others, to discern one that would be fair to each driver.

While the earlier system saw drivers being awarded points on the basis of prize money in a particular race, in 1972 a new format was introduced. This time the points were awarded on the basis of laps completed. However, even that came with its own flaws and just two years later, in 1974, the organization introduced point calculation based on a mathematical formula. However, given the complexity of the equation, Bill France Jr, the former CEO of NASCAR decided to step in and call upon his close friend Bob Latford, to come up with an efficient way, which later came to be known as Boot Hill Format or the Latford Model.

With equal points awarded in all races, as New York Times aptly put it: <em>"Mr. Latford set up his points scale to reward consistency rather than flashes of brilliance, and drivers seem to like it that way."</em>

This system was perhaps the longest-running one during that time, being replaced in 2003, by The Chase format. Currently, the NASCAR Cup Series operates on the Playoff Format. The schedule consists of 31 oval races, 4 road course races, one street track race, and 4 non-championship races to be held on ovals. This also includes 16 playoff races, with four elimination rounds, namely, Round of 16, Round of 12, Round of 4 and Championship 4.
<h2 style="text-align: center"><strong>NASCAR Cup Series Teams</strong></h2>
As of 2024, the NASCAR Cup Series has 16 full-time teams participating and three manufacturers, namely Toyota, Chevrolet and Ford. As for the team with the most number of victories and championship, Hendrick Motorsports has has an undebatable upper hand, with 305 Cup Series wins and 14 drivers championships.
<h2 style="text-align: center"><strong>NASCAR Cup Series Venue</strong></h2>
The first championship race was reportedly held at Martinsville Speedway, a half-mile oval, on October 16, 1949. Currently, the final race of a Cup season is held at the Phoenix Raceway, which is a one-mile, low-banked tri-oval race track located in Avondale, Arizona, near Phoenix.

[caption id="attachment_1351857" align="alignnone" width="1920"]<img class="wp-image-1351857 size-full" src="https://image-cdn.essentiallysports.com/wp-content/uploads/2022-11-07T003206Z_1075855806_MT1USATODAY19376372_RTRMADP_3_NASCAR-CUP-CHAMPIONSHIP.jpg" alt="Joey Logano NASCAR" width="1920" height="1289" /> Nov 6, 2022; Avondale, Arizona, USA; NASCAR Cup Series driver Joey Logano (22) races in the final laps of the Cup championship at Phoenix Raceway. Mandatory Credit: John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports[/caption]
<h2 style="text-align: center"><strong>NASCAR Cup Series Championship</strong></h2>
The NASCAR Cup Series hosts three different championship under one name: The Driver's Championship, the Owner's Championship and the Manufacturer's Championship. The driver's championship as the name suggests is the award given to the driver that has emerged as the winner at the end of a season. On the other hand, the Owner's Championship aims to reward the team at the top of the points standings. The driver with the most championship wins are Richard Petty, Dale Earnhardt and Jimmie Johnson. Additionally, Rick Hendrick-owned Hendrick Motorsports has won a record-breaking 14 championships till date.

<img class="alignnone wp-image-1195372 size-full" src="https://image-cdn.essentiallysports.com/wp-content/uploads/ezgif.com-gif-maker-3-78.jpg" alt="Richard Petty Dale Earnhardt NASCAR" width="1850" height="1253" />

On a similar note, the Manufacturer's Championship sees Original Equipment Manufacturers(OEMs) being awarded a championship based on how races their cars managed to dominate and the points accumulated. In this regard, US-based manufacturer Chevrolet has racked up the most Cup Series wins at 42, followed by Ford at 17, and Toyota at 3.
<h2 style="text-align: center"><strong>NASCAR Cup Series Track Types</strong></h2>
As mentioned earlier, the NASCAR Cup series organizes its races on four different types of tracks, namely, Intermediate tracks, Superspeedways, Short Tracks and Road Courses.

When it comes to Intermediate tracks, it simply means <em>"any track greater than one mile in length, with the exception of both Daytona and Talladega" </em>according to the official NASCAR website and currently the Cup Series drivers compete on the following Intermediate tracks/Speedways :
<ul>
 	<li>Atlanta Motor Speedway (1.540-mile, Quad-Oval)</li>
 	<li>Charlotte Motor Speedway (1.500-mile Quad-Oval, including a 2.280 miles Road Course)</li>
 	<li>Darlington Raceway (1.366-mile, Egg-Shaped Oval)</li>
 	<li>Dover Motor Speedway (1.000-mile, Concrete Oval)</li>
 	<li>Homestead-Miami Speedway (1.500-mile, Oval)</li>
 	<li>Kansas Speedway (1.500-mile, Tri-Oval)</li>
 	<li>Las Vegas Motor Speedway (1.500-mile, Tri-Oval)</li>
 	<li>Michigan International Speedway (2.000-mile, D-Shaped Oval)</li>
 	<li>Nashville Superspeedway (1.333-mile, Tri-Oval)</li>
 	<li>New Hampshire Motor Speedway (1.058-mile, Paperclip Oval)</li>
 	<li>Phoenix Raceway (1.000-mile, Dogleg Oval)</li>
 	<li>Texas Motor Speedway (1.500-mile, Quad-Oval)</li>
 	<li>World Wide Technology Raceway (1.250-mile, Egg-Shaped Oval)</li>
</ul>
On the other hand, Superspeedways ae oval road courses of two miles or longer. Currently, the NASCAR Cup Series has the following Superspeedways:
<ul>
 	<li>Auto Club Speedway (2.000-mile, D-Shaped Oval; Currently not in use)</li>
 	<li>Chicagoland Speedway (1.500-mile, D-Shaped Oval; Currently not in use)</li>
 	<li>Daytona International Speedway (2.500-mile, Tri-Oval)</li>
 	<li>Kentucky Speedway (1.500-mile, D-Shaped Oval)</li>
 	<li>Pocono Raceway (2.500-mile, Triangular Oval)</li>
 	<li>Talladega Superspeedway (2.660-mile, Tri-Oval)</li>
</ul>
The short tracks (less than 1 mile in length) that are part of NASCAR are:
<ul>
 	<li>Bristol Motor Speedway (0.533-mile, Oval)</li>
 	<li>Eldora Speedway (0.500-mile, Oval; Currently not in use)</li>
 	<li>Iowa Speedway (0.875-mile, Oval)</li>
 	<li>Knoxville Raceway (0.500-mile, Oval</li>
 	<li>Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum)</li>
 	<li>Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park (0.686-mile, Oval)</li>
 	<li>Martinsville Speedway (0.526-mile, Paperclip Oval)</li>
 	<li>Milwaukee Mile Speedway (1.015-mile, Oval)</li>
 	<li>North Wilkesboro Speedway (0.625-mile, Oval)</li>
 	<li>Richmond Raceway (0.750-mile, D-shaped Oval)</li>
</ul>
As for Road Courses, NASCAR makes use of the following race tracks:
<ul>
 	<li>Canadian Tire Motorsport Park (2.459-mile, Currently not in use)</li>
 	<li>Chicago Street Race (2.14 miles)</li>
 	<li>Circuit of the Americas (3.426-mile)</li>
 	<li>DAYTONA Road Course (4.170-mile, Currently not in use)</li>
 	<li>Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course (2.400-mile, Currently not in use)</li>
 	<li>Portland International Raceway (1.967-mile, Currently not in use)</li>
 	<li>Road America(4.048-mile, Currently not in use)</li>
 	<li>Sebring Raceway (3.741 mi, Currently not in use)</li>
 	<li>Sonoma Raceway (1.99-mile)</li>
 	<li>Watkins Glen International (2.45-mile)</li>
</ul>
<h2 style="text-align: center"><strong>NASCAR Cup Series Crown Jewel Races</strong></h2>
While NASCAR has several racetracks that it competes on, there are a couple venues that are held in high regards. Currently there are four such venues/races, namely the Daytona 500 held at the Daytona International Speedway, the Coca-Cola 500 held at the Charlotte Motor Speedway , the Brickyard 400/Verizon 200 at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway and the Southern 500 at the Darlington Raceway.

Till date, Hendrick Motorsports vice chairman and retired NASCAR driver Jeff Gordon has the most number of Crown Jewel race wins (21), followed by Legacy Motor Club team owner Jimmie Johnson (14) and retired NASCAR driver Bobby Allison (13).

[caption id="attachment_1691261" align="alignnone" width="1920"]<img class="wp-image-1691261 size-full" src="https://image-cdn.essentiallysports.com/wp-content/uploads/Jimmie-Johnson-Jeff-Gordon.jpg" alt="Jimmie Johnson and Jeff Gordon" width="1920" height="1280" /> January 20, 2017 - Charlotte, North Carolina, USA - Jimmy Johnson and Jeff Gordon introduce Rick Hendrick at the NASCAR Motorsport USA Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony on Friday, January 20, 2017, in Charlotte, N.C. Rick Hendrick was inducted into the Hall of Fame with Richard Childress, Mark Martin, Raymond Parks, and Benny Parsons. 2017 NASCAR Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony - ZUMAw123 20170120_zap_w123_024[/caption]
<h2 style="text-align: center"><strong>NASCAR Cup Series Cars</strong></h2>
NASCAR is an ever-evolving sport and till date, there have been several iterations of the cars used during races. If we go back to the very inception of the sport, the first kind of vehicle that was used used to be called Generation - 1 (1948-1966), followed by Generation - 2 (1967-1980) and Generation - 3 (1981-1991). Later the Generation - 4 (1992 to 2007) was introduced , and then Generation - 5 (2007 -2012) and Generation - 6 (2013-2021) came into play. And currently, NASCAR features the Generation - 7 car that is also known as the Next-Gen.

Anothe notable model was the Generation - 5. Dubbed as the<em> "Car of Tomorrow"</em>, this model featured flaunted prominent front splitters under the bumpers and larger rear wings. Apart from that, according to NASCAR, the car also had <em>"significant safety advancements and a return to symmetrical bodies". </em>

[caption id="attachment_2651610" align="alignnone" width="3461"]<img class="wp-image-2651610 size-full" src="https://image-cdn.essentiallysports.com/wp-content/uploads/2024-02-16T030626Z_974940649_MT1USATODAY22533198_RTRMADP_3_NASCAR-BLUEGREEN-VACATIONS-DUEL-1-AT-DAYTONA.jpg" alt="" width="3461" height="2307" /> Feb 15, 2024; Daytona Beach, Florida, USA; NASCAR Cup Series driver Martin Truex Jr. (19) during the Bluegreen Vacations Duel 1 at Daytona International Speedway. Mandatory Credit: Peter Casey-USA TODAY Sports[/caption]
<h2 style="text-align: center"><strong>NASCAR Cup Series debut at the Street Course</strong></h2>
The NASCAR Cup Series has come a long way since its initial days. The organization has always been open to developments and one of the most exciting ones came in 2023,when the tourney made its Street Course debut at Chicago.

In a bid to turn make the schedule even more exciting, NASCAR officials were reportedly in talks with Chicago authorities for a number of years, with one attempt of a Chicago street race even dating back to the 1980s. However, owing to political pressure, that plan failed to materialize. Now, fast forward to four decades later and authorities were finally geared up to host an exciting, first-of-its-kind race in downtown Chicago.

[caption id="attachment_1911252" align="alignnone" width="1920"]<img class="wp-image-1911252 size-full" src="https://image-cdn.essentiallysports.com/wp-content/uploads/2023-07-03T052154Z_1117738559_MT1USATODAY20983749_RTRMADP_3_NASCAR-GRANT-PARK-220.jpg" alt="NASCAR" width="1920" height="1280" /> Jul 2, 2023; Chicago, Illinois, USA; A general view as cars race along Grant Park during the Grant Park 220 of the Chicago Street Race viewed from the NEMA Chicago buliding. Mandatory Credit: Jon Durr-USA TODAY Sports[/caption]

Designed by race simulation video game developer iRacing, the race aimed to showcase the city's major landmarks such as the Buckingham Fountain, the Grant Park and the Soldier Field Stadium, among others.

The first iteration of the race came in July of 2023, with New Zealand born driver Shane van Gisbergen clinching victory in his first-ever NASCAR race. If that's not iconic, what is?

<img class="alignnone wp-image-2804674 size-full" src="https://image-cdn.essentiallysports.com/wp-content/uploads/F0HhwcqXoAI3_zb.jpeg" alt="" width="2048" height="1365" />
<table style="width: 75.2357%;height: 264px">
<tbody>
<tr style="height: 24px">
<td style="width: 42.239%;height: 24px"><span style="font-weight: 400">Full Name</span></td>
<td style="width: 237.884%;height: 24px">NASCAR Cup Series</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 24px">
<td style="width: 42.239%;height: 24px"><span style="font-weight: 400">Place of Origin</span></td>
<td style="width: 237.884%;height: 24px">Charlotte Fairgrounds Speedway</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 24px">
<td style="width: 42.239%;height: 24px"><span style="font-weight: 400">Year of Origin</span></td>
<td style="width: 237.884%;height: 24px">1949</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 24px">
<td style="width: 42.239%;height: 24px"><span style="font-weight: 400">First Race</span></td>
<td style="width: 237.884%;height: 24px">NASCAR "Strictly Stock" Race, Charlotte Fairgrounds Speedway</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 24px">
<td style="width: 42.239%;height: 24px"><span style="font-weight: 400">Last Race</span></td>
<td style="width: 237.884%;height: 24px">NASCAR Cup Series Spring Race at Martinsville Speedway, 2024</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 24px">
<td style="width: 42.239%;height: 24px"><span style="font-weight: 400">Crown Jewel Race</span></td>
<td style="width: 237.884%;height: 24px"><span style="font-weight: 400">Daytona 500, Coca Cola 600, Brickyard 400/ Verizon 200, Southern 500</span></td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 24px">
<td style="width: 42.239%;height: 24px"><span style="font-weight: 400">Drivers with the most Championships</span></td>
<td style="width: 237.884%;height: 24px">Richard Petty (7), Dale Earnhardt (7) and Jimmie Johnson(7)</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 24px">
<td style="width: 42.239%;height: 24px"><span style="font-weight: 400">Team with the most Championships</span></td>
<td style="width: 237.884%;height: 24px">Hendrick Motorsports (14)</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 24px">
<td style="width: 42.239%;height: 24px"><span style="font-weight: 400">First Champion</span></td>
<td style="width: 237.884%;height: 24px">Red Byron</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 24px">
<td style="width: 42.239%;height: 24px"><span style="font-weight: 400">Defending Champion</span></td>
<td style="width: 237.884%;height: 24px">Ryan Blaney (2023)</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 24px">
<td style="width: 42.239%;height: 24px"><span style="font-weight: 400">Defending Team</span></td>
<td style="width: 237.884%;height: 24px">Team Penske</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
&nbsp;

NASCAR Cup Series

Here's everything you need to know about the NASCAR Cup Series, its Origin, Teams, History, Venues, Crown Jewel Races and more!

NASCAR Cup Series: Origin, Teams and More

NASCAR Cup Series Archives

title

In the wake of the YellaWood 500 Cup Series race at the Talladega Superspeedway, Brad Keselowski expresses why he hopes Tony Stewart watched the race.

description

link

"He'd Be Proud": Brad Keselowski Hopes Tony Stewart Watched the Chaotic Race at Talladega - EssentiallySports

https://www.essentiallysports.com/nascar-news-hed-be-proud-brad-keselowski-hopes-tony-stewart-watched-the-chaotic-race-at-talladega/

https://www.facebook.com/essentiallysports

https://image-cdn.essentiallysports.com/wp-content/uploads/20201006151224/2020-09-28T032414Z_60709578_NOCID_RTRMADP_3_NASCAR-SOUTH-POINT-400.jpg

twitter:card

twitter:creator

twitter:site

twitter:label1

twitter:data1

script

<h2 style="text-align: center"><strong>Who is Brad Keselowski?</strong></h2>
If the 2023 Cup Series season was anything to go by, Brad Keselowski looks to be on his way to becoming one of the few people to taste success in NASCAR's highest division as a driver and a team owner. The veteran motorsports athlete is a former Cup champion and currently, a driver-co-owner of <a href="https://www.essentiallysports.com/category/roush-fenway-racing/">Roush Fenway Keselowski Racing</a>. Several fans and pundits suggest that his joining the team has massively elevated RFK and Keselowski only just seems to be getting started. He has won several honors in his racing career and is unsurprisingly one of the wealthiest drivers in the competition today.

[caption id="attachment_2651464" align="alignnone" width="3848"]<img class="wp-image-2651464 size-full" src="https://image-cdn.essentiallysports.com/wp-content/uploads/2024-02-16T010809Z_1536907231_MT1USATODAY22532113_RTRMADP_3_NASCAR-BLUEGREEN-VACATIONS-DUEL-1-AT-DAYTONA.jpg" alt="" width="3848" height="2565" /> Feb 15, 2024; Daytona Beach, Florida, USA; NASCAR Cup Series driver Brad Keselowski (6) before the Bluegreen Vacations Duel 1 at Daytona International Speedway. Mandatory Credit: Peter Casey-USA TODAY Sports[/caption]
<h2 style="text-align: center"><b>Brad Keselowski’s Early Life and Family</b></h2>
The 2012 Cup Series champion is of Polish descent and the youngest child of five born to Kay and former motorsports athlete Bob Keselowski in Rochester Hills, Michigan, on February 12, 1984. The family has been involved in motorsports for several years now. Brad is also the nephew of former race car driver Ron Keselowski. His four older siblings are former race car driver Brian Keselowski, Ginger Hoffman, Dawn Nicholas, and Kathy Samborski.
<h2 style="text-align: center"><b>Brad Keselowski’s Wife and Children</b></h2>
Brad Keselowski is a married man who tied the knot in 2017 with <a href="https://www.essentiallysports.com/nascar-news-is-brad-keselowski-married-meet-nascar-drivers-wife-paige-keselowski/">Paige White</a>. It is unclear how the couple met. Their first child, Scarlett was born when they were still dating in 2015. In August 2019, the couple had their second child, Autumn. The Keselowski family welcomed their third member and first baby boy in the family on November 4, 2023, named Maize.

[caption id="attachment_553759" align="aligncenter" width="1920"]<img class="wp-image-553759 size-full" src="https://image-cdn.essentiallysports.com/wp-content/uploads/20210216112103/GettyImages-1132664807.jpg" alt="Brad Keselowski with his wife Paige White and daughter Scarlett" width="1920" height="1280" /> MARTINSVILLE, VA - MARCH 24: Brad Keselowski, driver of the #2 Reese/Draw Tite Ford, celebrates with his wife Paige and their daughter Scarlett in Victory Lane after winning the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series STP 500 at Martinsville Speedway on March 24, 2019 in Martinsville, Virginia. (Photo by Brian Lawdermilk/Getty Images)[/caption]
<h2 style="text-align: center"><strong><b>Brad Keselowski’s Net Worth 2024</b></strong></h2>
Brad Keselowski's main source of income is obviously as a racing driver and co-owner of RFK Racing but that is not all. His numerous sponsorship deals also play a big role in that aspect. According to Celebrity Net Worth, the veteran motorsports athlete currently has a net worth of $45 million. Reports suggest that his current contract with RFK makes him approximately $9.4 million in a year. Being a successful driver and a team's co-owner, Keselowski has several sponsorship deals. Some of these deals are with prominent companies like Castrol, Miller Lite, Discount Tire, Autotrader, Alliance Truck Parts, and Wurth.

[caption id="attachment_2000894" align="aligncenter" width="1920"]<img class="wp-image-2000894 size-full" src="https://image-cdn.essentiallysports.com/wp-content/uploads/2023-07-17T210102Z_9680063_MT1USATODAY21049124_RTRMADP_3_NASCAR-CRAYON-301.jpg" alt="Brad Keselowski" width="1920" height="1280" /> Jul 17, 2023; Loudon, New Hampshire, USA; NASCAR Cup Series driver Brad Keselowski (6) is introduced before the start of the Crayon 301 at New Hampshire Motor Speedway. Mandatory Credit: Eric Canha-USA TODAY Sports[/caption]
<h2 style="text-align: center"><b>Brad Keselowski Partnerships and Endorsements</b></h2>
In January of 2023, RFK Racing extended their contract with lubricant bran Castrol. The company's colors and logo appeared on Brad Keselowski's #6 car in several important races, including 3 in the playoffs - Bristol, Charlotte, and Phoenix. Other companies that have sponsorship or endorsement deals with the 2012 Cup Series champion are Miller Lite, Discount Tire, Autotrader, Alliance Truck Parts, and Wurth. Being one of the co-owners of RFK, Keselowski also shares a relationship with the team's partners which include names like Ford Performance, Fastenal, and Siemens to name a few.

Recently, in January 2024, it was also announced <a href="https://www.essentiallysports.com/nascar-news-brad-keselowski-joins-partnership-with-consumer-cellular-as-roush-fenway-keselowski-racing-announces-new-sponsor/">that the driver-owner would be sponsored by Consumer Cellular for a handful of Cup Series races during the 2024 season</a>. In another exciting development, just a few days later, <a href="https://www.essentiallysports.com/nascar-news-solomon-plumbing-return-for-rfk-racing-and-brad-keselowski-for-the-current-season/">Solomon Plumbing also returned as a sponsor for the #6 driver for four Cup Series for 2024</a>.

[caption id="attachment_553768" align="aligncenter" width="1920"]<img class="wp-image-553768 size-full" src="https://image-cdn.essentiallysports.com/wp-content/uploads/20210216112352/GettyImages-1206720533.jpg" alt="Brad Keselowski prior to the NASCAR Cup Series 62nd Annual Daytona 500" width="1920" height="1281" /> DAYTONA BEACH, FLORIDA - FEBRUARY 16: Brad Keselowski, driver of the #2 Discount Tire Ford, is introduced prior to the NASCAR Cup Series 62nd Annual Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway on February 16, 2020 in Daytona Beach, Florida. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images)[/caption]
<h2 style="text-align: center"><strong>Brad Keselowski’s Investments</strong></h2>
In July 2021, it was announced that Brad Keselowski would be joining Roush Fenway Racing as a minority team owner and would be replacing <a href="https://www.essentiallysports.com/tag/ryan-newman/">Ryan Newman</a> to drive the No. 6 vehicle. Subsequently, Keselowski debuted as a driver-owner in the 2022 season with the team that was rebranded as Roush Fenway Keselowski Racing. After the new name and logo for the team was unveiled in November 2021 at the <a href="https://www.essentiallysports.com/category/nascar/charlotte-motor-speedway/">Charlotte Motor Speedway</a>, the 2012 Cup Series Champion spoke of the rebrand in detail. He mentioned how the rebrand <em>"is more than a fancy new logo". </em>
<p style="text-align: left"><em>"It's an acknowledgment to our heritage, a renewed commitment to our people and a stake in the ground that says we are here to operate top-tier race teams in the sport of NASCAR for decades to come,"</em> he added.</p>

<h2 style="text-align: center"><strong>Brad Keselowski NASCAR Career Stats</strong></h2>
Brad Keselowski's career graph till now certainly speaks volumes. He has clinched 35 wins in 521 races in the <a href="https://www.essentiallysports.com/category/nascar/nascar-cup-series/">Cup Series</a> along with 249 Top-10 positions and 18 poles. Apart from that, he secured 39 wins in 257 races in NASCAR's second division, in addition to 174 Top-10s and 22 poles. As for his <a href="https://www.essentiallysports.com/category/nascar/nascar-truck-series/">Craftsman Truck Series</a> career, Keselowski has one win in 66 races, 15 Top-10s and one pole position.

In his NASCAR Cup Series career, the driver has an average start and an average finish of 12.8 and 14.09, respectively.
<h2 style="text-align: center"><b>Brad Keselowski’s Records</b></h2>
Given how charismatic Keselowski is behind the wheel, it's only natural that the driver has garnered quite some accolades in his career till now. After he clinched his sixth career win at the Alabama track of Talladega Superspeedway, the RFK team owner tied the iconic <a href="https://www.essentiallysports.com/tag/jeff-gordon/">Jeff Gordon</a> and <a href="https://www.essentiallysports.com/tag/dale-earnhardt-jr/">Dale Earnhardt Jr</a> for second-most wins of all time.
<h2 style="text-align: center"><b>Brad Keselowski </b><b>Major Achievements and Awards </b><b> </b></h2>
The RFK Racing driver and co-owner is one of the most experienced racers in the NASCAR Cup Series today. He has been competing in the series since 2008 and in that time, has won countless honors. He was the 2012 Cup Series champion and the 2010 Nationwide Series champion. He has won the <a href="https://www.essentiallysports.com/category/nascar/coca-cola-600/">Coca-Cola 600</a>, Brickyard 400, and the Advance Auto Parts Clash one time each. When it comes to awards, Keselowski won the Nationwide Series Most Popular Driver award three times straight from 2008 to 2010. He has also been named in NASCAR's 75 Greatest Drivers list.

Apart from that, the driver has shown his dominance by appearing in the Cup Series playoffs 12 times, 11 out of which have been in consecutive years.

Keselowski's career reached its peak with <a href="https://www.essentiallysports.com/tag/roger-penske/">Roger Penske</a>'s team but right now, the veteran racer is putting in the effort to take Roush Fenway Keselowski Racing to the heights it once achieved. After the 2012 Cup Series champion joined in 2022, there has been a visible improvement in the team's performance. They finished the season with 3 wins in 2023, including a famous 1-2 victory at Daytona.

The motorsports veteran is also the owner and founder of Keselowski Advanced Manufacturing. As per the official website, <em>"Keselowski Advanced Manufacturing (KAM) is a vertically integrated simulation and engineering through serial production manufacturing company with Additive Manufacturing (LPBF-M) and CNC Capabilities." </em>
<div class="mceTemp"></div>

[caption id="attachment_903888" align="aligncenter" width="1920"]<img class="wp-image-903888 size-full" src="https://image-cdn.essentiallysports.com/wp-content/uploads/GettyImages-1364505560.jpg" alt="Brad Keselowski" width="1920" height="1280" /> DAYTONA BEACH, FLORIDA - JANUARY 12: Brad Keselowski, driver of the #6 RFK Racing Ford looks on in the garage during the NASCAR Next Gen Test at Daytona International Speedway on January 12, 2022 in Daytona Beach, Florida. (Photo by James Gilbert/Getty Images)[/caption]
<h2 style="text-align: center"><b>Brad Keselowski’s Charity and Foundation</b></h2>
Brad Keselowski is the founder of the Brad Keselowski's Checkered Flag Foundation. The organization was founded in 2010 after the former Cup Series champion visited the Walter Reed Medical Center in 2009. He was inspired to give back to the brave women and men who served the country and were injured in the process. According to the website, the foundation has raised $3.8 million and helped out over 250 individuals and organizations. It's not only war veterans that the charity supports, but first responders and active military personnel as well.
<h2 style="text-align: center"><b>Brad Keselowski Controversies</b></h2>
He might be one of the most talented and consistent drivers in NASCAR but that does not mean that Brad Keselowski has not seen his fair share of troubles. One of the biggest penalties he has faced came in 2022 when the RFK Racing man was fined a whopping 100 points by NASCAR. After the Atlanta race that year, officials found a tail panel modification that was illegal and cost the veteran dearly.

Keselowski was on fire the season he won his first and only Cup Series championship. However, he was involved in a controversial decision by NASCAR which involved not bringing out the caution despite there being an accident on the track. The then-Penske Racing driver hit the wall late during the race but NASCAR surprised several fans and insiders by opting against bringing out the caution as Keselowski kept his car going.

<em>“Obviously, we’re monitoring that, the 6 is in the fence. Brad is listening through his spotter and race control that we needed the 6 to get down on the apron. Once he did that, it means he’s kind of out of harm’s way and he’s driving around. If he comes to a complete stop down on the apron at that point, then we’re going to have to go get him,” </em>NASCAR official Elton Sawyer had said of the incident.

[caption id="attachment_553763" align="aligncenter" width="1920"]<img class="wp-image-553763 size-full" src="https://image-cdn.essentiallysports.com/wp-content/uploads/20210216112231/GettyImages-156521363.jpg" alt="Brad Keselowski - NASCAR Cup Series" width="1920" height="1280" /> HOMESTEAD, FL - NOVEMBER 16: Brad Keselowski, driver of the #2 Miller Lite Dodge, stands in the garage during practice for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Ford EcoBoost 400 at Homestead-Miami Speedway on November 16, 2012 in Homestead, Florida. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images)[/caption]

The racing veteran provided a moment of comic relief in the 2023 Cup Series season at the Coke Zero Sugar 400 in Daytona. The red flag had fallen and under those circumstances, the cars were meant to be stationary in the pits. However, the #6 was seen going around in circles. Confusion and humor gripped the others on track and the fans but it was later revealed that Keselowski's car had caught on fire and he had no choice but to do what he did to put it out.

The whole controversy surrounding the car inspections is also one of the infamous moments of Brad Keselowski's career. Both his and teammate Joey Logano's cars failed pre-race inspections as NASCAR found something wrong with their rear-end housings, and confiscated them. The Penske Racing cars still managed to finish in the top 10 but the penalties were then levied. The 2012 Cup Series champion was not a happy man at the time as he lashed out at NASCAR for being partial against his team.

<em>"Our guys are innovative and we're looking at the rules, looking at areas where we can get an edge like everybody else," </em>Keselowski had said at the time<em>. "I don't think there's anything we did wrong. It's obviously a judgment."</em>

Despite these incidents, Keselowski has managed to entertain fans outside of the racing world, by dabbling his foot into the entertainment industry.
<h2 style="text-align: center"><b>Brad Keselowski in Media</b></h2>
The former Cup Series champion made a cameo alongside Joey Logano in the movie 'Sharknado 3: Oh Hell No!' He also joined several other NASCAR stars to appear in the 2017 movie 'Logan Lucky' and he has appeared several times on the sitcom 'Sullivan &amp; Son.'
<h2 style="text-align: center"><b>Brad Keselowski Social Media Accounts</b></h2>
Brad Keselowski is fairly active on his social media handles, especially Twitter.
<table>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td><span style="font-weight: 400">Facebook</span></td>
<td><a href="https://www.facebook.com/BradKeselowski" target="_blank" rel="noopener">https://www.facebook.com/BradKeselowski</a></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><span style="font-weight: 400">Instagram</span></td>
<td><a href="https://www.instagram.com/bradkeselowski/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">https://www.instagram.com/bradkeselowski/</a></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><span style="font-weight: 400">Twitter</span></td>
<td><a href="https://twitter.com/keselowski" target="_blank" rel="noopener">https://twitter.com/keselowski</a></td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<table>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td><span style="font-weight: 400">Full Name</span></td>
<td>Brad Keselowski</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><span style="font-weight: 400">Popular Name</span></td>
<td>"Bad Brad" Keselowski</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><span style="font-weight: 400">Birth Place</span></td>
<td>Rochester Hills, Michigan, U.S</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><span style="font-weight: 400">Birth Date</span></td>
<td>February 12, 1984</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><span style="font-weight: 400">Age</span></td>
<td>39</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><span style="font-weight: 400">Height</span></td>
<td>5 ft 10 in</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><span style="font-weight: 400">Weight (In pounds)</span></td>
<td>177 lb</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><span style="font-weight: 400">Parents</span></td>
<td>Kay Keselowski, Bob Keselowski</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><span style="font-weight: 400">Siblings</span></td>
<td>Brian Keselowski, Ginger Hoffman, Dawn Nicholas, and Kathy Samborski.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><span style="font-weight: 400">Nationality</span></td>
<td>American</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><span style="font-weight: 400">Ethnicity</span></td>
<td>Caucasian</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><span style="font-weight: 400">Net Worth</span></td>
<td>$45 million</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><span style="font-weight: 400">Salary</span></td>
<td>9.4 million</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><span style="font-weight: 400">Relationship/ Marital Status</span></td>
<td>Married</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><span style="font-weight: 400">Spouse</span></td>
<td>Paige White</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><span style="font-weight: 400">Children</span></td>
<td>Scarlett Keselowski, Autumn Keselowski, Maize Keselowski</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><span style="font-weight: 400">Profession</span></td>
<td>Race car driver, team owner</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><span style="font-weight: 400">Team</span></td>
<td>RFK Racing</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>

Brad Keselowski

Here you can find the details about Brad Keselowski and his net worth, family, NASCAR career, controversies, Foundation and more in 2024.

“He’d Be Proud”: Brad Keselowski Hopes Tony Stewart Watched the Chaotic Race at Talladega

What else did Brad Keselowski say?