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closeOffered Penske's No. 12 Dodges in Sprint Cup, Keselowski declines
JIM UTTER
The Charlotte Observer
Sunday, Aug. 24, 2008
BRISTOL, Tenn. - JR Motorsports' Nationwide Series star Brad Keselowski has declined an opportunity to move to the Sprint Cup Series next season with Penske Racing, The Charlotte Observer and ThatsRacin.com have learned.
Keselowski, who won his second race of the season Friday night at Bristol Motor Speedway, spent last Tuesday visiting the Penske shop, where he met members of the organization and was offered the chance to drive the team's No. 12 Dodges next season, several sources confirmed Saturday.
Keselowski, 24, declined the offer, sources said. Keselowski did not immediately return a call for comment Saturday night.
The native of Rochester Hills, Mich., said earlier this summer he would return next season to the Nationwide Series to drive JR Motorsports' No. 88 Chevrolet, which is co-owned by Cup driver Dale Earnhardt Jr. and his Cup team owner, Rick Hendrick.
David Stremme, already employed by Penske as a test driver, was considered the leading candidate to take over the No. 12 next season, which is being vacated by Ryan Newman.
Keselowski has two wins, nine top-five and 15 top-10 finishes and one pole in 26 races this season. He currently trails Nationwide series leader Clint Bowyer by 122 points.
Keselowski has been mentioned as a possible Cup driver for Hendrick Motorsports in 2010 in the No. 5 Chevrolet. Veteran Mark Martin has agreed to drive one full-time season for Hendrick in the No. 5 in 2009.