CONCORD– Brad Keselowski knew he was probably speeding as he exited pit road for the final time in Saturday night’s Sprint All-Star Race at Charlotte (N.C.) Motor Speedway.
But, the 2012 Sprint Cup Series champion also thought it was his biggest opportunity to cash in on a million dollar payday. The risky move backfired for one of the most dominant cars in the field, as Keselowski was hammered for speeding in the final section of pit road during the mandatory pit stop at the end of segment No. 4.
The penalty sent the No. 2 Miller Lite Ford Fusion from second to tail-end of the field. Restarting deep in the field, Keselowski rallied during the final 10 lap segment to finish ninth.
“Whoever gets the clean air with this format and this rules package is gonna drive away,” said Keselowski after the race. “We’ve seen that for the last three years and with this particular car it’s probably even more so. I thought the 41 and the 4 were probably two or three tenths faster than everybody without clean air and it doesn’t matter.
“I knew when I came out of my pit stall and the 11 (Denny Hamlin) was pulling out with me that I either beat him to that line or lose the race, and the penalty was I was three-tenths of a mile an hour over the speed limit, but I told my crew chief I’d rather go down swinging than take a strike and wonder what might have been. I swung and missed.”
And while Hamlin sealed his first All-Star win for himself, Toyota and Joe Gibbs Racing, was the swing really necessary? After all, Hamlin seemed to have the top spot locked up.
Keselowski said yes.
“(Kevin) Harvick and Kurt (Busch) were two or three tenths faster than the 11 car and myself,” added Keselowski. “With this rules package you’re not gonna pass in clean air because clean air is worth two or three tenths. I was probably maybe a half-tenth faster than the 11, which wasn’t enough to make up the difference with starting second.”
A solid pit stop by the No. 2 Team Penske crew fired off Keselowski down pit lane with a clear windshield with the exception of Hamlin. The brief acceleration from Keselowski was evident, but many asked the question why speed?
“I have to beat him to that line or don’t win the race,” Keselowski noted. “I’ll take the penalty and strike out, but that was the race.”
Sure, clear air was your friend Saturday night. And nobody knew that better than Keselowski himself.
The Rochester Hills, Michigan native capitalized on a two-tire stop at the end of segment No. 1 to lead all 25 laps in segment No. 2. The gamble paid off, but barely. A four-tire stop and resilient driving by Keselowski kept him in control of the exhibition race for 49 laps.
Varying pit strategies shuffled the restart lineup for segment No. 4. Keselowski finished fourth at its conclusion, but entered pit road first based upon his average finishing position from the first four segments. Hamlin stole the lead with the first spot on pit road after winning the pole earlier in the day.
Still with Hamlin in control, Keselowski would have found himself sitting on the front row for the final 10-lap dash. Of course, there were no guarantees that Keselowski would have been able to snatch the lead away from the No. 11 FedEx Toyota, but who was better to try than Keselowski? And wasn’t it better to settle for second instead of last?
The mentality of winning is who Keselowski is. There’s nothing more important to him than winning.
But his decision to play with fire likely kept the 31-year old Cup superstar from the one element he swears by.
And when the checkered flag flew it was Hamlin who cashed in with a $1,045,009 prize and Keselowski settled for $944,454 less.
Follow Chris Knight on Twitter @Knighter01.
