Keselowski stretches fuel, wins Friday night
Friday, Jul. 08, 2011
SPARTA, Ky. – Neither Brad Keselowski nor Kevin Harvick ran out of gas.
Harvick, however, might have run out of patience.
Keselowski conserved enough fuel to hold off Harvick and win Friday night’s Feed the Children 300 at Kentucky Speedway for his first NASCAR Nationwide Series victory of the season.
“It was a complete package tonight. Great pit stops. Just a complete package. That’s what it takes to win,” Keselowski said.
“These guys are good. Carl (Edwards) and his team has been really fast all year. Kevin (Harvick) was no exception and Kyle (Busch). It feels good to win here in Kentucky.”
Keselowski has been in the thick of several battles for race wins this season in the Nationwide series, but hadn't closed the deal.
“I’m really happy for Todd (Gordon, crew chief) and all the guys who work on this car," said Travis Geisler, Penske Racing’s director of competition.
“We let Brad down a few times this year, but he kept working and working, and tonight it finally paid off.”
Late in the race, Harvick’s crew chief, David Hyder, was concerned his driver would not make it to the finish on fuel and told Harvick to pit.
After Harvick slowed on the track, Hyder changed his mind and told him to remain on the track.
Harvick didn’t lose a position, but lost a lot of ground and any hope of running down Keselowski for the win.
“We had a fast car all night. Brad was a little bit better. I was not real happy with how the race was managed tonight,” Harvick said after the race.
"I should have just done what I wanted to do. It would have been easier.”
Kyle Busch, who started from the rear of the field because he wrecked his primary car in qualifying, finished third. Kasey Kahne, driving for JR Motorsports, was fourth and Elliott Sadler fifth.
Sadler takes over the series points lead, holding a four-point advantage over Reed Sorenson.
More racing news, blogs, photos and more at www.ThatsRacin.com.
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