Fresh Tires is Winning Strategy for Brad Keselowski
A late race pit stop and a set of fresh tires was what it took for Brad Keselowski to power to the front of the field on the last restart following the 10th caution of the day.
Keselowski sprung to the lead with three laps to go in the 160-lap race and didn’t look back. He gave Penske Racing its first Brickyard 400 win at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Keselowski led nine laps on the day – two of those were at the end giving him the victory.
Clint Bowyer had a strong car throughout the race as he led the most laps with 37. He spun his tires on the last restart which set up the race between Denny Hamlin and Keselowski. Bowyer finished 5th on the day.
Denny Hamlin showed strength early on in the race as he took the lead on lap 12 after the decision to stay out on the track during the first competition caution while the rest of the field came down pit road. He recaptured the lead on lap 143 for 16 laps. Hamlin was able to finish 3rd in the race after a battle for the lead on the last restart. He also led the same amount of laps as Clint Bowyer.
Pole-sitter Kyle Busch came on strong and led to the competition caution. He led another 16 laps from lap 52 but couldn’t find his way back to the lead. He ended the day in the 8th spot and crowned as the regular season champion.
Erik Jones snuck in at the end of the race to finish 2nd while Kevin Harvick settled in 4th spot to complete his day.
The playoff scene is now set. The 16 drivers headed into the playoffs next weekend at Las Vegas Motor Speedway are: (in points order) Kyle Busch, Kevin Harvick, Martin Truex, Jr., Brad Keselowski, Clint Bowyer, Joey Logano, Kurt Busch, Chase Elliott, Ryan Blaney, Erik Jones, Austin Dillon, Kyle Larson, Denny Hamlin, Aric Almirola, Jimmie Johnson, and Alex Bowman.
The South Point 400 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway gets underway at 3 p.m. ET on Sunday, Sept. 16.