Keselowski Fields Two Ford Trucks In 2013

Brad Keselowski Racing announced today that the team owned by the 2012 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series champion will field two full-time entries in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series in 2013. The move to two full-time teams will also feature a change to Ford F-150 livery, matching the move to Ford made by Keselowski’s NASCAR Sprint Cup Series team, Penske Racing.

Michigan-based Cooper Standard has enhanced its 2011 and 2012 involvement with BKR, and will serve as primary sponsor on the No. 29 Ford driven by Ryan Blaney for the entire 2013 season. Blaney and BKR will compete for both the drivers' and owners' championships, led by veteran crew chief Doug Randolph.

A year ago, BKR claimed its first Truck Series victory at Iowa Speedway in September, with Blaney becoming the youngest winner in series history.

"We are excited to partner with Brad Keselowski and the BKR team again for the 2013 season," said Keith Stephenson, Chief Operating Officer of Cooper Standard. "Racing has proven to be a useful business tool for our company with both customers and employees and continues to help build the Cooper Standard Brand."

Cequent Consumer Products and Cequent Performance Products have also increased their 2013 involvement, and will serve as the primary sponsor of the No. 19 BKR Ford for 15 races. The No. 19 entry will feature Cequent Group brands Draw-Tite, Reese Towpower, Reese Towpower Carbon Forged, Bulldog, and Harper.

Led by new crew chief Chad Kendrick, the truck will have multiple drivers as it competes for the 2013 NCWTS owners' championship. Keselowski and Penske Racing teammate Joey Logano are scheduled to run multiple races, while Blaney's father, Sprint Cup veteran and former World of Outlaws champion Dave Blaney, will race the series’ first-ever dirt race at Eldora Speedway on July 24th.

Blaney won with BKR in 2012

"The Cequent Performance team and its Draw-Tite, Reese, and Bulldog brands are proud to be a part of the 2013 BKR racing season and their move to Ford trucks," said Tom Benson, President of Cequent Performance Products. "It is great to be able to share in the excitement that professional motorsports brings our customers. We are looking forward to being trackside to witness the determination and positive attitude that Brad and his team show their fans in the year ahead."

BKR also welcomes Florida native Ross Chastain to its stable of drivers for 15 races in the No. 19 Ford. Chastain will fly the Melon 1 primary partnership colors in five of his 15 races with the team. Specific races for Keselowski, Logano, and Chastain will be announced at a later date, but Blaney and Chastain will drive in the 2013 season opener at Daytona International Speedway on February 22nd..

"Melon 1 is proud to continue our support of Ross Chastain with his new team at Brad Keselowski Racing," said John Lapide, President of Melon 1. "Ross has generated great awareness of the healthy benefits and great taste of watermelons, while promoting the whole watermelon industry. We look forward to watching the number 19 truck run for the owners' championship."

"I couldn't be more pleased with the way 2013 is shaping up for BKR," said Keselowski. "With enhanced support from our long time returning partners, Cooper Standard and Cequent Group, we are poised for a successful season. We have been able to retain and attract top notch personnel. The crew chiefs, drivers, and team members all put their hearts into this organization. Hard work equals results, and I am proud of each and every teammate's passion for excellence. Last season was a huge stepping stone for the organization as we claimed our first victory. We are looking forward to building on last year's success this season."