Brad Keselowski, of Rochester Hills, scored his first career NASCAR Sprint Cup Series (NSCS) win at Daytona International Speedway in the No. 2 Detroit Genuine Parts Ford Fusion on Saturday night. After a solid qualifying effort that saw him start the race from the fifth position, Keselowski wasted little time in showing the speed of his Ford as he moved into the top spot on lap nine and kept the lead until the NASCAR-mandated caution at lap 20. He remained in the lead despite radioing that his engine temperatures were running dangerously high due to debris buildup on his grille. Keselowski pulled one of the best moves of the night as he used the rear bumper of the No. 1 car of Jamie McMurray to remove the debris without losing the lead in the process. The 2012 NSCS champion kept his No. 2 Ford at the front of the field for the remainder of the field, never falling lower than fifth in the running order to set himself up for the win.
No. 2 Detroit Genuine Parts Ford Fusion driven by Brad Keselowski of Rochester Hills wins Coke Zero 400 at Daytona
“This is my 250th start, year 50 for Team Penske, 100th Cup win for Team Penske, my 20th win, and we finished first with the Detroit Genuine Parts Ford. I like that number the best. But really happy and proud for our team to be in victory lane tonight. It was a good effort for us for sure. The wins are never easy to come by, and I think this one means a lot to me for sure because looking at our past here, it hasn’t been all that rosy. I was telling Roger Penske when I was in victory lane and the fireworks were going off, usually I’m loading up the car and about to be to the airport, so it’s nice to be here and have a great finish,” said Keselowski.
Team Penske NASCAR Sprint Cup Series wins at Daytona July 2, 2016
Brad Keselowski and Kyle Busch engaged in a great side-by-side battle during the final laps before Keselowski got enough of a push from his teammate, Joey Logano. He would hold the lead through a green-white-checkered finish for his third win of 2016, tied for the highest mark in the series. The victory marked the 100th NSCS win for Team Penske in the team’s 50th year in motorsports. Logano finished fourth.
Photos Courtesy of NASCAR
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