One year later Keselowski walks into Daytona taking the reins of the No. 2 car, still sponsored though, by Miller Lite. Kurt Busch, his Penske teammate, moves to the No. 22, and gets the Shell/Pennzoil sponsorship, vacated by Kevin Harvick and Richard Childress last season when Childress picked up Budweiser. Confused yet?
We’re still a week plus away from the annual “Silly Season” blog post, but this is a monumental shift for (some) NASCAR followers. I think we should place bets on the first time a TV or radio reporter misnames Keselowski in the No. 2 car, since they’ve become accustomed to the face of Kurt Busch in that vehicle.
I know it’ll take me a while.
You can argue that Keselowski’s attitude and brazen driving style will be perfect for Miller Lite. Kurt Busch used to be that way, but he has since tempered, and while he might be a great spokesman for Miller, Keselowski, is a much better fit for the beer company.
Plus that No. 12 just hasn’t had the same luck since Ryan Newman departed Penske after the 2008 season. Neither Keselowski nor David Stremme has been able to pilot the entry to a top-five finish. In fact, the last time a car with the No. 12 on the side reached victory lane, it was Newman, driving to his biggest career win so far.
On Feb. 17, 2008, the 50th running of the Daytona 500 was met with great anticipation. All of the (living) previous winners of the Daytona 500 served as Grand Marshals of the event and gave the command to fire engines.
Newman, with a huge shove from his teammate Busch, brought home the Harvey J. Earl trophy—his owner’s first ever win in NASCAR’s biggest race.
Roger Penske has won the Indy 500, and last year he watched his rival Chip Ganassi win the Daytona 500, Indy 500 and Brickyard 400 all in the same year. In order for Penske to have a shot at that, Keselowski and Busch will need to step up their game in 2011.
We all know Busch, the 2004 Cup champ, can do it, but can Keselowski improve enough in his second full-time season to make a run at the Chase? In 12 days the answers will come about, and I know enough to not bet against the elder Busch and his restrictor plate loving teammate Keselowski at Daytona.
I don’t expect either to win, but I wouldn’t be surprised if Penske wins another Daytona 500. I just know it won’t be the same numbered car in victory lane that was there in 2008.
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With 12 days until the green drops the anticipation is building. The anticipation for the start of the NASCAR season might not be higher for any other driver than the guy who finished runner-up last season to Jimmie Johnson in the points--Denny Hamlin.
We'll check that out tomorrow.
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