Brad Keselowski and his Penske Racing/Miller Lite Blue Deuce team celebrated their 2012 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series championship in style last night at Homestead Miami Speedway. Keselowski wasted little time proving that he will be a different kind of Sprint Cup Series champion, taking long draughts from a massive glass of his sponsor's product during trophy presentations with NASCAR CEO Brian France, and admitting to having “a buzz going” in an ESPN SportsCenter interview about an hour after the drop of the checkered flag. “I’ve been drinking for a little bit," he laughed. "This has been one hell of a day. I’ve got one hell of a team, and it doesn't get any better than this."
The 28-year
old Rochester Hills, MI, native became the first driver from the state of Michigan
to win the Sprint Cup Series championship, and the 29th different
champion in the series’ 64th season. He is just the sixth driver
to win the championship within his first three seasons of full-time competition,
and only third in NASCAR’s modern-era (1972-2012).
He joins Bobby Labonte as the second driver to
win championships in both the NASCAR Nationwide and Sprint Cup Series, and he
and crew chief Paul Wolfe are
now the only driver-crew chief combination to win titles in both the Nationwide
and Sprint Cup ranks. Keselowski became only the second driver to claim the
title in car No. 2, joining the late Dale
Earnhardt, Sr., who won in 1980 driving for Rod Osterlund.
Photos: Getty Images for NASCAR
That glass started out heavier than the Cup trophy!
ReplyDeleteBrendan in NJ
Congrats on a hard fought Championship. Congrats to to The Captain on his first Cup. Congrats to to the Kesolowski family on this Championship. This truly was a moment for all of them. Also to the Hendrick camp for their display of class after the race. And last but not least...
ReplyDeleteCongrats to ESPN's cameraman who filmed the now famous Celebratory interview. He/she did an amazing job of keeping Keso in the shot as he swayed around on the stage. Best Championship interview ever.
Can't wait to see what next year has in store for us.
Way to go, Kes! Truly one of a kind, and a pleasure to watch as well.
ReplyDeleteThis is the new spokesman for our sport? An expletive filled interview in the media center, and drunk interview on Sports Center! I wonder everyone's opinion would be if that had been a drunk Kurt or Kyle Busch on Sports Center!
ReplyDeleteRon, Happily, it wasn't a Busch brother. Since Miller Brewing is his sponsor, he managed to give them lots of air time while enthusiastically endorsing their product without one of those long, boring, "I'd like to thank..." speeches. Obviously, Miller had no problem with it. Brad didn't say anything offensive or insulting to anyone, and had every right to celebrate an amazing achievement. After all, he made the 48 team crack.
ReplyDeleteHe made the 48 team crack? I'm not a 48 fan but they blew a tire in one race, and burned up a rear end at Homestead. Just saying that a lot of NASCAR fans are hypocritical depending on who the driver is.
DeleteI agree with Ron. A Champion should be an good example to young people.
ReplyDelete