The Round of 12 opened at New Hampshire Motor Speedway on September 21, kicking off with high expectations for drivers like Brad Keselowski. Fresh off a solid P2 finish at Bristol Motor Speedway the previous week, Keselowski carried momentum into the Mobil 1 301, aiming to build on his consistent runs. The Magic Mile tested everyone’s strategy from the green flag. Amid the action, an incident midway through shifted the race’s tone, drawing sharp eyes from the stands and online.

On Lap 118, the starting lap of stage 2, Brad Keselowski attempted a bold dive low on a restart, battling at turn 2 for the 13th position, but it backfired when he clipped the inside wall and veered into Shane van Gisbergen’s path. Jeff Gluck captured the chaos on X, noting, “Looks like Keselowski went so low that he may have brushed the inside wall and then got into SVG.” This chain reaction collected Kyle Busch and Daniel Suarez, too, ending strong days for multiple competitors.

Looks like Keselowski went so low that he may have brushed the inside wall and then got into SVG. https://t.co/tZuLfN1nh7

— Jeff Gluck (@jeff_gluck) September 21, 2025

Keselowski, starting from 17th after qualifying, had been navigating mid-pack before the mishap, but the aggressive line choice crushed van Gisbergen‘s hopes, as the Kiwi driver eyed his first oval victory in the Cup Series after dominating road courses. Running consistently in the top five through much of the event, van Gisbergen showcased improved short-track speed in a Chevy.

As replays circulated, the online backlash grew, with fans dissecting the play and venting their takes.

Fan backlash erupts online

One fan zeroed in on the decision-making: “Where did Brad think he was going? Did he think the wall was a mirage?” This captures the bewilderment over Keselowski’s line, a veteran with 36 Cup wins who typically excels in restarts but misjudged the tight space here, reminiscent of his 2018 Darlington spin, where overcommitment cost positions.

Shifting to sharper jabs, another chimed in, “Brad being a clown lol. 😆🤡. Gordon said it best, I have no clue how he has won a championship.” Referencing commentary, this highlights skepticism despite Keselowski’s 2012 title, earned through steady points in a format rewarding consistency, though critics point to moments like his 2022 Talladega wreck as patterns of risk gone wrong.

“I mean I understand what he was doing; the 88 was already on the apron.” This nods to Van Gisbergen’s No. 88 position, influencing the chaos, as restarts at flat tracks like NHMS often force drivers to fan out, but Keselowski’s push below the white line amplified the squeeze.

“SVG was having such a good run too, damn.” After transitioning from Supercars, where he claimed three championships, van Gisbergen’s oval adaptation showed promise here, holding top-10 stage points before the wreck derailed a potential career milestone. The disappointment for van Gisbergen resonated strongly.

Wrapping the sentiments, a broadcast call fueled more, “Larry Mac: ‘BRAD KESELOWSKI made a dumb move.'” Larry McReynolds’ on-air assessment, from his analyst role, echoed past breakdowns like Keselowski’s 2023 Michigan contact, underscoring how such errors in playoffs can swing momentum against even seasoned owners like him at RFK Racing.