Brad Keselowski finds himself in a challenging winless stretch that is causing much concern among his team and fans alike. Despite his impressive racing pedigree, Keselowski has struggled to make a mark this season. The 2012 Cup champion, who came close to a top-ten finish with an 11th-place at Las Vegas, remains winless and has yet to secure a top-five or top-ten finish in 2025. His current predicament reminds many of his initial 2010 rookie season but with heightened expectations and stakes, considering his past successes.
In a recent media session at the NASCAR Productions Facility, Keselowski candidly discussed the hurdles his team faces in breaking this series of setbacks. “It’s definitely a lot of scratching and clawing,” he remarked, echoing the sentiments of a veteran who’s tested like never before. Along with changes sweeping through the company this season, Keselowski acknowledged his team needs to recognize the potential inherent in the alterations they’ve made. Though recognizing these adjustments as steps backward, he remains hopeful that a major leap forward is forthcoming.
Even as the barren numbers indicate this as his slowest start since his early years, Keselowski’s optimism remains unyielding. At 31st in the points standings, he lags behind teammates Chris Buescher and Ryan Preece, suggesting room for improvement in translating their collective speed into consistent victories. Last season, Keselowski had bagged significant top-five finishes at this stage; this year, the contrast shines spotlight on his current challenging winless streak.
However, Talladega offers a beacon of hope. Over the course of 32 starts at the superspeedway, Brad Keselowski boasts an impressive record, achieving six wins and 12 top-five finishes. This venue holds great promise for him, with a heightened average finish of 14.7 over six races in the Next Gen era. Nonetheless, a triumphant return to the winner’s circle there has escaped him for three years, although a pair of runner-up finishes and consistent top-five results indicate his potential to break the streak this season.
Regarding his renewed optimism, Keselowski noted, “I got my internal optimist glasses on and I see the potential. The potential for this team is higher than any team I’ve had in the last four or five years.” Recognizing the abundance of talent in his revamped crew and the errors that inevitably come with fresh faces, he emphasizes the importance of refining synergy and extracting their utmost potential. His confidence speaks volumes about his resolve to turn the season around.
The stakes are high as Brad Keselowski approaches Talladega, a venue that’s now viewed as a “thinking man’s race.” In light of the difficulties his season has presented, a strategic, well-executed performance here might just be the catalyst required to rejuvenate his 2025 season. As the track evolves, so too must Keselowski’s approach and tenacity, in hopes that a victory at Talladega could reignite his journey towards racing success.
