NASCAR's brass calls Keselowski in

Sunday, Nov. 15, 2009

AVONDALE, Ariz. – Brad Keselowski met with NASCAR officials, including Chairman Brian France, Sunday morning at Phoenix International Raceway following a Keselowski-Denny Hamlin dust-up on the track in Saturday’s Nationwide race.

“It went real well. That’s probably the most impressed I’ve ever been with NASCAR. I honestly will say that and I’m not brainwashed in saying that, either,” said Keselowski, who will drive the No. 12 Dodges in the Cup series full time for Penske Racing next season.

“I really respected the fact Brian France walked in there. That was really the first time I’ve ever had a conversation with him. I think that’s a good sign for the sport that he was involved in that conversation.”

Keselowski said he wasn’t going to go into details about things that were “talked about privately,” but wanted to give an overview of the conversation.

“It was (about) just to trying to pick and choose who you want to be your friends and enemies in this sport and making sure I understood that process and what it takes to make it to this level,” he said.

Keselowski said he was also reminded “how you’re going to need friends down the line and make sure you don’t alienate everybody. At the same time, you don’t want to give up being a hard charger.”

Asked if he felt that he was going to have to change his driving style, Keselowski said, “You always change your style. Do I need to do things better? Oh yeah, all the time. Being aggressive is what got me here.

“Nobody has handed me anything in my career – ever. I’ve dug and clawed for everything I’ve got. The only way to do that is by being aggressive. But that’s not to say I need to be aggressive every race.”

On Lap 157 of the 200-lap race, Hamlin bumped Keselowski from behind and then passed him to the inside while going three-wide.

Shortly after, Keselowski returned the bump, with Hamlin spinning out in the process. Hamlin was livid during radio communication with his crew and a post-race confrontation seemed likely.

There was no confrontation on pit road, but Hamlin and Keselowski did meet face-to-face outside the Nationwide hauler well after the race in an animated discussion.

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