Keso

[20forLogano]

At PRS again today.  Looks like this might be his destination.  Now they would have to get some ok's from Chevy because he wants to continue the Junior deal in Nationwide but at this juncture he should just take the 12 ride.  That is his best option and he truly wants to be Cup racing next year. 
Should be interesting.

[DougS]

At PRS again today.  Looks like this might be his destination.  Now they would have to get some ok's from Chevy because he wants to continue the Junior deal in Nationwide but at this juncture he should just take the 12 ride.  That is his best option and he truly wants to be Cup racing next year. 
Should be interesting.

So said an anonymous tipster! I'll wait for a credible source. No doubt it's a great rumor with Stremme having his car backwards and bent in each of the last 5 races, but I'm not holding my breath yet.

[Busch Babe 899]

LOL I'm like "Who the h... is Keso?? Another openwheeler?" LOL Took me to the mention of the "Jr Deal" to figure out it was Keslowski.

[scott b]

If Penske lands Keso, and manages to keep Justin Allgaier in the organization till he's ready for Cup... that would be a pretty good young driver combo, especially for a team that hasn't really been as heavy into developmental programs as some of the others.

[20forLogano]

And the deal is done.  Nice to have friends in high places

[KurtBuschFan]

I couldn't be happier to have Keselowski as a teammate to Kurt next season! YAY!

[DougS]

No offical word of the deal being done. Just sources...but I'll start holding my breath now. I wonder if he's bringing Go Daddy with him? What does this do to JR motorsports for next year? Does this mean Algaries doesn't get rushed into a COT?

[Busch Babe 899]

Officially announced today:

http://www.nascar.com/2009/news/headlines/cup/08/21/preview.bkeselowski.to.penske/index.html

[KurtBuschFan]

No offical word of the deal being done. Just sources...but I'll start holding my breath now. I wonder if he's bringing Go Daddy with him? What does this do to JR motorsports for next year? Does this mean Algaries doesn't get rushed into a COT?

I waited until I saw the official word on nascar.com.  It is officially confirmed, and I can't wait for the 2010 season

[DougS]

Officially announced today:

http://www.nascar.com/2009/news/headlines/cup/08/21/preview.bkeselowski.to.penske/index.html

That article is NOT an offical announcement.

It's, oh it's being reported on ESPN and Jayski so we have to look like we know whats going on in our own sport.

Granted there is no offical denial in there either, but for it to be offical someone from Penske has to step in front of a mic with a real name and say Brad Keselowski has signed a contract with PRS.

[20forLogano]

The plan was to have Justin in a 4th car at some point in 2011.  Run some races next year in the COT.  Getting Brad is a steal for Roger. 

[Chris]

Officially announced today:

http://www.nascar.com/2009/news/headlines/cup/08/21/preview.bkeselowski.to.penske/index.html

Yeah I read the article..
so far all parties deny the deal... or won't discussit.
I will say I heard the TV announcers state that it was reported that Stremme had said "He is out at Penske for next year"
Hate to see Brad move up next season... I think he neds one more year in the NNS series.  It's a HUGE difference between driving a CoT and a NNS car.  Could be a rough transition, and with the no testing policy in place, it don't get any easier.

He's had a couple good finishes this year, but he's also NOT a good qualifier (by his own admission)  Let him get outside the top 35 in points by some reason, and IMO he'll miss a couple fields, and then could look like many others that have come up too soon.

[DougS]

Chris it seems like alot of us were saying the same things about Joey Logano last year when it was announced he was taking over the #20 HD car. I think I was the only one (and the kid has proven me totally wrong) that said he'd be out of the top 35 and miss races (he came close...).

Keso in the COT is not a great qualifier, neither is Paul Menard. Keso has a knack for taking care of his equipment and racing up the field.

I think his biggest obstacle is going to be starting from a blank sheet on the dodge cars. He's going to have to learn how to communicate with a new CC. As far as testing we all know it's happening just not at the sancitioned tracks (which begs the question, is the Milwaukee Mile no longer sanctioned now that it owes nascar money?)

I'm wondering if he's going to run a limited NNS car for PRS or are they going to try and double dip him next year too (which I think would be a detriment).

[Chris]

All good pointd Doug.
I thought Logano might miss the top 35
We've saw Brad miss two races this season already... so that doesn't bode well for next season either.
His one saving grace may be the fact that it loks like Stremme will be able to keep the #12 car in the top 35 this season, which should give Brad 5 races to get himself into the top 35 for next year, and try and be locked in when race #6 starts.  He IS a good racer, and it's very possible he could do that.
As far as the cars... yes it will be a blank sheet with the Dodge cars,.. on the other hand, if he pays attention, makes notes, and is smart... he can watch and see how Hendriocks sets up his car, and know how to get the same set up when he goes to Penske.  after all, with the CoT the only thing different is the motors.
starting off with a new crew chief will take some time... and we all know that Tony Sr. is one of the best in the business.. so he's got an advantage now with him on the box.

As far as running in both the NNS and CUP...  It USED to be taht if you raced in the NNs, it gave you a lot of info for the CUP race... now with two different bodies, it's amost detrimental.
I think  when the new CoT is started in the NNS, we may see even MORE Cup series drivers run in the NNS again.  Then they'll be back to comparing apples to apples, and should be able to get some decent info from racing in the NNS events to switch over to the CUP cars. 

[20forLogano]

Brad getting the pole last night sure looks like he is a bad qualifier LOL.  Brad is going to do a great job next year for PRS.  He has shown the talent to get the job done and save equipment something Stremme has not done.  Brad is going to lean heavily on Kurt and Sam and Kurt is an awesome teammate to help out with the transition.  I think you cats are reading way too much into this.  I expect Brad to have that 12 in the top 25 maybe even top 20 with ease just like Joey here this year.