DAYTONA BEACH, Fla.: Don’t expect Team Penske driver Brad Keselowski to apologize for the actions that led to a massive pileup on the last lap of Monday morning’s Daytona 500.
Eyeing his first Daytona 500 triumph, Keselowski was second behind teammate Joey Logano and tried to make the winning move as the cars entered Turn 3.
Instead, Keselowski’s car nudged Logano’s No. 22 Shell Pennzoil Ford and both drivers careened out of control, while third-place Michael McDowell surged ahead to his first career NASCAR Cup Series victory.
After being released from the infield care center, Keselowski was firm but not apologetic for his actions.
“I had a big run down the backstretch and wanted to make the pass to win the Daytona 500 and it ended up really bad,” offered Keselowski. “I don’t feel like I made a mistake, but I can’t drive everybody else’s car, so frustrating.”
Despite finishing 13th, Keselowski said he was exactly where he wanted to be in the final 2.5-miles of the Great American Race.
“The Discount Tire Ford was not the fastest, but Jeremy Bullins and the whole team did a great job of keeping us in position and right then we were in position,” Keselowski added.
“It’s exactly where I want to be running second on the last lap at Daytona with this package and had the run, made the move and it didn’t work out.”
I was NOT grateful in this moment or the remainder of the moments directly after the race. It takes me a good while to calm down and gain perspective.
Thank you for your patience. https://t.co/Mgh7sBvKu9
— Brad Keselowski (@keselowski) February 15, 2021
Heartbreaker
My body is fine but my heart is broke
Months of studying, months of tremendous car prep from the #2crew & in the perfect position at the end…
Yet, Another #DAYTONA500 slips away…
What else can you say?
What else can you do but be grateful for the opportunity?— Brad Keselowski (@keselowski) February 15, 2021
Follow Chris Knight on Twitter @Knighter01.
