Brad Keselowski refused to blame Carson Hocevar for the Talladega multi-car wreck that put a massive dent in his playoff campaign
Brad Keselowski has just a two-point buffer going into the final R-12 race at ROVAL.
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Brad Keselowski and Carson Hocevar (Via IMAGO)
2012 NASCAR Cup series champion Brad Keselowski’s day ended with a disappointing P32 finish at Talladega Motor Speedway. The poor finish has put a massive dent in his playoff progression hope of going to Talladega; he has just two points lead from the Round of Eight elimination cut-line. He would have to secure a top-5 finish at ROVAL next to remain in title contention.
The No:6 RFK Racing Ford Mustang driver found himself in a disappointing situation after he was collected in a multi-car wreck, which was partially self-inflicted. Keselowski was pushing rookie Carson Hocevar through the tri-oval bend during the final phase of the race. While doing so, he slightly clipped the Truck Series title contender’s left-rear quarter panel, causing the spin.
Hocevar was sent to the pack and took out RCR’s Austin Dillon, fellow rookie, and GR’s Ty Gibbs. The No:3 Chevy Camaro ZL1 lost control and slid across the track to the outside wall. In the process, he collected the No:6 Ford. Keselowski spun towards the inside wall and, on the way, was airborne for a moment before coming to a rest on the track.
When asked if Hocevar’s inexperience was the reason for the crash, Keselowski quickly refuted the claim and acknowledged that the youngster’s car wasn’t handling that well. He told NBC (H&T: NASCAR.com), “Only one way to learn. Get out there and go. This is just part of this racing. You push, and I gave him a pretty light push. I don’t really think he did anything wrong. I just don’t think his car was handling well enough.”
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Brad Keselowski is frustrated with the finish
The RFK boss had the opportunity to become the undisputed second most successful driver at the track on Sunday. He has six career wins there and is tied with Jeff Gordan at P2, while Dale Earnhardt holds the top spot with ten wins at the track. Ending his long winless streak would have been special for the ex-champion.
Keselowski said he couldn’t continue after the race because the car’s toe link broke. He admitted that it was a frustrating end to a promising day, that saw him winning stage two and leading the race for a significant number of laps, for him and pointed out what happens in Talladega.
“I didn’t hit that hard, so I’m fine. I would’ve been OK, but the toe link was broken, so I wasn’t able to keep moving. Just unfortunate. We got shuffled to the outside line here. The 42 (Hocevar) pulled up in front of me. I’m like, ‘Alright, let’s go. We’re gonna go back up to the front.’ And I just pushed him, and he kind of instantly spun out,” Keselowski said.
“I don’t think he did anything wrong. I just think his car probably wasn’t driving that good. It’s frustrating, you know? We were able to win the second stage, and we were in a good position there for a long time, and just kind of unraveled on us. That’s how it goes here sometimes,” Keselowski added.
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Justin P Joy
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