Keselowski overcomes big mistake
SPARTA, Ky. — Brad Keselowski quickly realized he blew the restart that allowed Erik Jones to take the lead.
His determination to overcome the mistake and a strong Ford Mustang made for the perfect mix to reclaim it with laps to spare, leading to a milestone victory.
Keselowski overtook Jones with eight laps remaining and held him off to win the NASCAR Xfinity Series race Friday night at Kentucky Speedway. That gave Team Penske its 50th series victory, while the driver moved into fifth place all-time with 33 wins.
“It’s been a good ride for sure and to be a part of Team Penske is everything I ever dreamed of and more,” said Keselowski, who earned a jukebox with his third Kentucky victory that tied teammate Joey Logano (2008-10). He had to bounce back from a mental hiccup after a Lap 169 restart that appeared to hand the race to Jones.
Unfazed, the 2010 Xfinity Series champion regrouped and guided his No. 22 Ford Mustang past Jones’ Toyota on Lap 192 and went on to the win after finishing second last year.
“We went back and forth there for a minute with (Keselowski),” Jones said. “Unfortunately, a lapped car slowed us down enough for him to get by.”
It was just the break Keselowski needed.
“Maybe I built up a little bit of a false sense of confidence,” Keselowski said, “because when Erik got by me on that last restart I thought, ‘Oh, we’ll get right back by him.’ It was not easy.”
Kyle Busch (Toyota) was third after leading three times for a race-high 88 laps, with rookie Daniel Suarez (Toyota) fourth.
