Brian Keselowski may be the most unlikely competitor in Sunday’s Daytona 500, but he is in the event. Keselowski was well off the pace during practice leading up to qualifying and it appeared his best chance to make the race was if others were involved in incidents during his Gatorade duel.
Then brother Brad Keselowski spun bringing out a caution setting up a dramatic climb though the field for the single car operation.
Aided by strong pushing by his little brother Brad, Brian made his way into the Great American Race which would give him a payday over $250,000.
Keselowski was running a 2006 Dodge Charger and had one set of tires. Now his tires are going to be paid for by Ray Evernham, the man who originally built the car he’s running.
Penske Racing, the only full time Dodge team, has offered to supply Brian with a new R6 engine to replace the R5 he had been running and even Golden Corral has stepped up to the plate to sponsor the formerly white #92.
Of course the engine change will put him at the back of the field and with all the additional changes needed to ensure it fits into the car may cost the team a chance to practice on Saturday.
It just goes to show you anything can happen in a Daytona weekend.
Update: It’s been announced that Keselowsk will not change his engine for the event citing the amount of time it would take. In addition the car will be sponsored by Discount Tire. (The sponsor for his brother Brad in the Nationwide Series.)
