Back in October 2014, NASCAR’s Chase playoffs were heating up, and so was Brad Keselowski. At Charlotte Motor Speedway, emotions erupted on pit road when Keselowski clashed with Denny Hamlin, Matt Kenseth, and Tony Stewart. The fireworks began after Hamlin brake-checked Keselowski during the cool-down lap. Keselowski retaliated by trying to spin Hamlin and then bumping Kenseth under caution. As things spiraled, Keselowski accidentally hit Stewart’s car, prompting Stewart to back up into him.

The chaos spilled into the garage, where Kenseth jumped Keselowski from behind. NASCAR handed out fines and probation. Keselowski was placed on probation along with a $50,000 fine by NASCAR, citing “actions detrimental to stock car racing.” That brawl was messy but entertaining. Even Jeff Gordon had thoughts about it. He praised the emotion, saying, “The fans love it, the media loves it, sometimes our emotions just get away from us.” Gordon’s words felt like an approval stamp on the growing drama Keselowski was stirring.

The 2012 Cup Series champion was fast, aggressive, and not afraid to ruffle feathers. Roger Penske stood behind him and chalked it up to championship-level competition. But then came Texas. Within a month, Gordon, who had just praised the drama, was now at the center of it. This time, he was swinging. And Brad Keselowski? He was on the receiving end—thanks to one well-timed push from Kevin Harvick that would ignite one of NASCAR’s most unforgettable brawls.

How Kevin Harvick triggered a massive melee in Texas!

This week, NASCAR returns to Texas Motor Speedway for the Wurth 400. And with it, memories of 2014 come racing back. That fall, Jeff Gordon was leading late in the AAA Texas 500. On Lap 335, the race had gone into overtime. Gordon picked the outside line for the restart. Jimmie Johnson, another championship contender, took the inside line, and Brad Keselowski opted for the outside line from third position. As Gordon’s car drifted slightly up the track, Keselowski went for a narrow gap.

Team Penske driver made contact with Gordon, cutting his left rear tire. That move ended the Hendrick Motorsports driver’s shot at a crucial playoff win. He spun out, lost a lap in the pits, and finished 29th. What followed made NASCAR history. On pit road after the race, Gordon stopped beside Keselowski’s car. Crew members swarmed, and the pit road turned chaotic. But things looked under control. But then came Kevin Harvick, watching nearby, he walked up and shoved Keselowski into the group.

That push triggered the chaos. Punches flew. Gordon briefly grabbed Keselowski’s firesuit as crew members from multiple Hendrick teams landed punches, especially one from Kasey Kahne’s team, who landed shots from behind. Gordon had a cut on his lips, whereas Keselowski was also bleeding in the aftermath of the melee. It was chaos under the Texas night sky. And it was all caught on camera, becoming one of NASCAR’s most replayed moments.

Despite the pitlane drama, Gordon was livid. “It’s his disregard for what’s going on out there. He made an over-aggressive move. Those are moves you find if you’ve got a slamming, banging race. He cut my left rear tire. That was it for me. It’s a real shame,” he said post-race. Keselowski, on the other hand, had no regrets. “By the time it closed up, I was committed, and I stayed in it. That almost won me the race. I’m doing everything I can to win this championship, racing at 100 percent. That’s something I’m not going to be ashamed for,” he said.

At the time, Harvick was still in championship contention and saw a chance to shift media focus. On his podcast “Kevin Harvick’s Happy Hour,” he later admitted the push was calculated. “Sometimes you have to try to do different things to re-direct the conversation. I thought that we could capitalize on this…but it just didn’t look good. It was awesome to watch, just not awesome to start,” Harvick said. Ironically, the SHR driver would go on to win the 2014 championship. Keselowski finished fifth and Gordon had to settle for a 6th place.

NASCAR responded with swift penalties. NASCAR didn’t fine any drivers, but it fined crew chiefs Alan Gustafson (Gordon’s team) and Kenny Francis (Kasey Kahne’s team) $50,000 each and placed them on probation for six races. It also punished crew members from both teams. Robin Pemberton, NASCAR’s VP of competition, made the series’ stance clear: “The actions that we saw from several crew members… are unacceptable.”

Interestingly, two years earlier in 2012, Gordon was also involved in a controversial fight. He intentionally wrecked Clint Bowyer at Phoenix, which caused a post-race brawl. Gordon was fined $100,000 and docked 25 points. Bowyer called it “completely ridiculous,” especially from someone of Gordon’s stature. The wreck eliminated Bowyer from championship contention, and Keselowski eventually won his first Cup title that year. Gordon admitted at the time, “I take responsibility for my actions on the racetrack.”

That moment cost him a top-10 finish in points. NASCAR’s message was clear—fighting might get headlines, but it won’t go unpunished. In Texas two years later, Gordon was again in the headlines. But this time, it was Keselowski who was left bloodied, and Harvick, who lit the match. As the Cup Series heads back to Texas in 2025, Keselowski finds himself in a very different emotional space. This time, it’s not about rivalries or championships. It’s about honoring a dear friend.

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Brad Keselowski mourns close loss ahead of Texas Race!

Brad Keselowski won’t just be thinking about racing when he returns to Texas Motor Speedway this week. He’ll be remembering a friend. Daniel “Danny” Allor II, longtime supporter and sponsor of Keselowski and RFK Racing, passed away on April 27 at the age of 56. Allor wasn’t a TV personality or a headline name. But he meant the world to RFK Racing. His Michigan-based company, Solomon Plumbing, became a sponsor in 2022.

But the bond went far deeper than business. Both Allor and Keselowski were Michigan natives who shared a love for racing, music, and hard work. When Keselowski took a chance by becoming co-owner at RFK, Allor believed in him when few others did. To honor his legacy, RFK Racing will carry a special tribute decal at this year’s Texas race. The decal shows Keselowski hugging Danny and his wife, Danielle.

It’s a quiet, moving tribute to someone who never sought the spotlight but left a lasting impact. Keselowski also shared his grief on X. He wrote, “Heart breaking. Mr. Danny and Mr. Mike Chase in the last week.” It’s been a tough stretch for RFK Racing, but it’s clear Danny’s memory will ride with them. As the No. 6 team prepares for battle at a track filled with memories and mayhem, they’ll also carry the spirit of a man who stood behind them through thick and thin.