A few years ago, Brad Keselowski won the Aaron’s 499 at Talladega Superspeedway for his first career NASCAR Sprint Cup Series (NSCS) win and that’s when Roger Penske discovered his raw talent. Penske moved Keselowski up to the highest-level in NASCAR hoping for success, and “Bad” Brad didn’t disappoint. Keselowski had a break out year in 2012, winning the NSCS Championship and giving Miller Lite its first NASCAR title along with Roger Penske.
Since that night in Homestead Miami Speedway Keselowski has went dry. He hasn’t seen victory lane and has had just plain bad luck. Roger Penske and Keselowski might see it as bad luck, but I see it as 2012 was just a fairytale story, once in a lifetime.
Penske Racing and Miller Lite agreed upon a contract on Wednesday afternoon, stating that Keselowski will continue to pilot the “Blue Deuce” until 2017. I find this a very premature decision considering Keselowski hasn’t seen victory lane since the Dover fall race of 2012.
I understand that there aren’t any astonishing driver’s on the market at the moment, but I believe 4-years down the road things could be very different. I honestly believe that they shouldn’t of re-signed Keselowski for 4-years, maybe simply just 2-years.
The question through 2013 for Keselowski and Paul Wolfe is “What’s wrong”? I can’t be completely sure on that myself, but I believe it could be the switch to the new Generation Six car. It just hasn’t clicked for Brad Keselowski.
“This puts us in great shape because we’ve got continuity with a sponsor and an elite driver,” team owner Roger Penske told
Elite wasn’t the best word usage by “The Captain” Roger Penske, for his young driver Joey Logano is in the Chase while his “Elite” driver isn’t. Keep in mind also that Logano is in his first year with the Penske organization.
“I feel like together, Roger and I have done some great things. I have a lot of confidence in him, I like the way he treats me and hopefully he would say the same about me,” Keselowski said. “It makes me feel very comfortable to go the extra mile to sign a long-term deal.
Hopefully comfort is what Keselowski needs and he can get back on track for 2014. Keselowski also mentioned “Roger and I have done some great things” and I can agree a NASCAR Sprint Cup title is a great thing, but to become a legend you must consistently year after year prove yourself and Keselowski isn’t off to a great start on proving that.
I can sit here and speculate about this topic all day but in reality Miller Lite has been with Penske Racing since 1981 and long-term relationships like that are hard to break. Like I said earlier and I’ll say it again, in my opinion I think Roger Penske should’ve re-considered how long his sign Keselowski back to that Blue Deuce.
Miller Lite will only sponsor the No. 2 Ford for 24 races instead of the full-schedule. Andy England, chief marketing executive at Miller Lite, said that was at Penske’s request. Penske believes they can find sponsorship for those 12-races not with Miller Lite on the car. Penske is hoping to generate new relationships with other companies. We saw they extend out to Reds Apple Ale this year to and they are a company they are hoping to build that relationship with.
If you’re wondering how Joey Logano looks with his contract as sponsorship is confirmed, well he has 2-years left on his contract with Shell Pennzoil. Penske is also in there first year of five with Ford as a manufacturer.
1.) FORD is what’s wrong this year. Dodge had 0 engine failures in 2012 and Penske alone has had multiple failures in 2013.
2.) How many championship drivers are there in the sport today? Not many… when you get one you keep him.
I have no problem with giving Brad Keselowski 4 years. If he was on the market today, how long would he last? With most of the drivers 35 and up, who is the best of the young drivers? Brad is certainly one, and Kyle Busch and Kasey Kahne would be the others. Sponsors want two things, name recognition and performance, and he gives Miller both.
2 Years is more accurate. We don’t know who is or isn’t a powerhouse or in business in 15.
Agreed, I believe in 2015 that Jeff Gordon will have retired and new talent will be among us. Ryan Blaney, Kyle Larson and Chase Elliott are some of those young guns.
Reds Apple Ale & Miller Lite are the same company, so it isn’t a new sponsor.