Junior couldn't watch driver win, but sees the significance

JIM UTTER

The Charlotte Observer

Sunday, Jun. 08, 2008

• Race story | Keselowski takes advantage late, breaks through
• Results | Unofficial finishing order

LONG POND, Pa. - JR Motorsports earned its second Nationwide Series victory and first with upstart Brad Keselowski Saturday night, but team owner Dale Earnhardt Jr. missed seeing his driver take the checkered flag.

"I was watching DirecTV on satellite and it went off with 10 laps left," Earnhardt Jr. said before Sunday's race at Pocono Raceway. "I was on the Internet and somebody was telling me (what was going on). They were watching on cable."

Keselowski's victory at Nashville Superspeedway was impressive, as he beat several Sprint Cup Series drivers to get the win, including Kyle Busch, Carl Edwards and Clint Bowyer, who leads the Nationwide Series standings.

"We've been waiting for that for a long, long time. I knew it would happen with Brad and Tony (Eury) Sr. When I paired them together I knew they would get that opportunity sooner or later," Earnhardt Jr. said.

"It was a good deal for Brad and his family. His mom was there. I'm happy for them and happy for Tony Sr. It's a pretty big deal.

"We've been really working hard to make it happen. Everybody there deserved it."

With the win, Keselowski remains fifth and series points and moved to within 192 of Bowyer.

"It makes (him) a legitimate contender for the championship this year. From an owner's standpoint, the win puts us in the winner's circle program," Earnhardt Jr. said.

"There are a few little things that it will change for our program and I think it gives us a strong footing in the series."

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