Brad Keselowski Racing Shutting Down at Season’s End

By Seth Eggert, NASCAR Writer

The 2017 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series season finale at Homestead-Miami Speedway will mark the last race in the history of Brad Keselowski Racing (BKR). The team, which fields Austin Cindric and Chase Briscoe will close its’ doors at seasons’ end team owner Brad Keselowski announced today.

BKR which Keselowski first started in 2007 in the ARCA Racing Series to give fellow drivers a chance has amassed nine victories in past decade. The team helped launch the career of Ryan Blaney, who earned their first victory at Iowa Speedway in 2012.

The decision no doubt was difficult for the 2012 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Champion,

“The Truck Series is truly special to me given my family’s ties to the history of the sport, and this decision comes with much contemplation. But, for a number of reasons, and as I plan for the long-term future, I’ve decided not to field a team in 2018.”

Twice, BKR has contended for championships. First, with Blaney in 2014, and then with Daniel Hemric last year. Blaney finished second in points in 2014, and Hemric was eliminated in Round of Eight of the Playoffs last year. In the team’s 10-year history, it helped Blaney, Keselowski, Joey Logano, and Tyler Reddick their first career victories in the Truck Series.

In its’ history, BKR has had 19 different drivers behind the wheel of their trucks. Several of them have moved on to the Xfinity Series, like Hemric, Reddick, and Ross Chastain. Blaney moved up the Team Penske ladder to compete in the Premier Series. Grant Enfinger still competes in the Truck Series.

Keselowski continued that his goal for BKR was always to help others,

“My goal with BKR was to create a top-tier team which would allow me to give back to the sport by creating opportunities and quality experience for others, whether they be drivers, mechanics, engineers, or support personnel. With outstanding leadership from BKR’s GM Jeremy Thompson, assistance from Team Penske, and the support of our long-time partners Cooper Standard and Horizon Global, we were able to successfully achieve this goal. I am very proud of this and intend to do my best to help my BKR team members stay and grow in the sport. I am also incredibly appreciative of the great relationships we have developed with our partners over the years.”

Keselowski also admitted that the shutdown of the Truck operation could just be part one of a possible Premier Series operation down the road,

“The team has also provided me with meaningful experience as a team owner. I’ve never made it a secret that I would eventually like to be an owner at the top level of the sport. And, while this is many years down the line, I want to start to prepare for that possibility now. Part of that preparation is seeking to develop an advanced engineering and manufacturing company that would be housed out of our 78,000 square foot facility in Statesville and ultimately help to support this vision.”

Currently Briscoe sits fourth in the points standings with Cindric 10th. Both drivers are winless so far, this season. Briscoe is currently 89 points ahead of the cutoff for the Playoffs. Meanwhile, Cindric is 55 points behind the cutoff, needing a win to secure a Playoff berth.

For now, Brad Keselowski Racing will push forward towards ending its’ run on top.