JR Motorsports working to sign Keselowski longer term

JIM UTTER

The Charlotte Observer

Saturday, Jul. 28, 2007

CLERMONT, Ind. - It appears upstart Brad Keselowski will drive the rest of the season in JR Motorsports’ No. 88 Chevrolet and Busch Series owner Dale Earnhardt Jr. is considering signing the driver for next season.

“I’m looking to try to get him nailed down to paper for the rest of the season and, hopefully, he’ll show us a couple signs of some things that will give us good reason to work with him next year,” Earnhardt Jr. said.

“I think he’s a great kid and he’s got a great attitude. ...We should have a good relationship.”

Earnhardt Jr. has already signed road-racing ace Andy Pilgrim to drive the No. 88 at the road courses at Montreal and Watkins Glen, N.Y.

Keselowski, 23, earned a career-best 14th place finish in his first start in the No. 88. He finished 26th at Chicagoland after getting caught up in someone else’s accident.

“To have a team like Dale Junior’s that has all the backing it takes plus a great sponsor and factory backing from Chevrolet, it’s just amazing the resources we have,” Keselowski said. “This is definitely what I want to do.

“It’s certainly a different feeling to get into a car and know it’s not going to break down. It’s also a lot more pressure, that’s for sure, but it’s the opportunity I’ve been looking for my entire career.

"At the end of the day I’m going to be measured on me and what I do with the car.”

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