Brad Keslowski is primed for a full time 2010 Cup ride Getty Images/Sam Greenwood
After winning the Sprint Cup race in March of 2009, and on the strength of two Nationwide series wins in 2008, and another in 2009 the marketability of Brad Keselowski has never been higher. The question that remains is who will take advantage of that fact and place Brad in one of their cup cars.
We pretty much know that there is no room at Hendrick Motor Sports for him, Rick Hendrick seems happy with his driver lineup for 2009 and 2010, meaning Brad would not be eligible for a cup ride there until 2011. As with everything NASCAR sponsorship depending, If a new sponsor came along to Hendrick ad preferred Keslowski to Mark Martin, I think we know who the driver of the #5 car would be.
We also pretty much know that JR Motor sports doesn’t have the funding to do a fulltime cup effort for 2010. As stated earlier this could change, but isn’t likely too. We also know that Brad would like to once again run for the Nationwide title with this team in 2010. That would seem to limit his options to Chevy cup teams for the 2010 season.
Stewart-Haas Racing would like to add a third car if financing for it can be found. Since SHR is a satellite program of Hendrick Motor Sports it seems logical to assume Brad could end up running here.
We also know that the relationship between Kevin Harvick and Richard Childress Racing has soured, or run its course, depending on how one chooses to look at it, possibly opening the door for a ride at RCR. Richard Childress is adamant that both Harvick and sponsor Shell/Pennzoil will return but he has another situation to deal with in Casey Mears.
It seems logical at this point to assume that Brad may be more attractive than Mears to either current or new sponsor for the #07 RCR team.
After these few rides we are really guessing at what is likely to happen. Will Roger Penske dump David Stremme, another under achieving driver, out of the #12 car? Would Brad be better suited to bring a new sponsor to that team?
Could Team Red Bull switch to Chevy’s and dump Brian Vickers or Scott Speed? Who knows, but these are things that could happen leaving the door open for a full time cup ride for Brad.
What about Earnhardt-Ganassi? We already know that Martin Truex will leave for Michael Waltrip Racing in 2010; it appears likely that this team will keep Bass Pro Shops as a sponsor, do they hire Brad for 2010, or do they give Aric Almirola the shot he was denied this year?
As we get closer and closer to the chase it seems these will be the most interesting Silly Season question left waiting to be answered.
Comments
I really don't think you'll see Brad leave the Hendrick Motorsports fold. Rick Hendrick has one of the oldest driver lineups in the sport, with his youngest being Jimmie Johnson at 33. And I really think Mark Martin and Jeff Gordon will both be retired by 2011 or 2012. HMS needs some younger drivers, and Keselowski is the best one Rick has going for him.
I believe that Red Bull will make the switch to Chevy next season. After his terrible rookie season, Speed will either move back to F1 or to Nationwide (maybe with JRM?). Brad will take over the #82 for one or two seasons until Mark Martin or Jeff Gordon retire, and then Brad will take over the open HMS car. If its Jeff's car he takes, they should retire the #24 and put Brad in the #25. By then, either Speed will have the experience to come back to the Cup series or someone else can move into the #82 Red Bull car.
Scott Speed will not go back to F1, he wasn't good enough. My guess, Speed will end up racing in the Nationwide series. That is not a bad thing, either. He was put in a Cup car far too soon. I think Stewart-Haas will get Harvick if RCR lets him out of his contract. Keselowski has a universe of potential, but Harvick has the stuff to be a champion RIGHT NOW, if his team was on the same page. Aside from that, I can't say anything with reasonable assurance of accuracy EXCEPT that "Silly Season" is officially in full swing, and I think we may see some bigger pieces moving around the chessboard in the next couple months. Stay tuned!
Agreed on Harvick being a better pick than Brad at the moment. In the end, I think Brad has the potential to be more talented than Harvick, but Harvick has much more experience in a Cup car. Put him in a car at SHR and he would make the Chase first year out. I don't think Stewart would necessarily want to pick up Brad anyway. Brad would be a temporary entry... he'll be at Hendrick Motorsports as soon as the #5 or #24 comes open, guaranteed.
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