Brad Keselowski will no longer be driving the No. 2 car after the 2020 season. However, Team Penske announced on Monday that Keselowski has signed an extension to remain with the team through the 2021 season. This news came shortly after Keselowski secured his third win of 2020 at the New Hampshire Motor Speedway.
Keselowski, who has spent most of his NASCAR career with Team Penske, expressed pride in representing the organization and its owner, Roger Penske. Over the years, he has achieved major victories including Cup and Xfinity Championships, as well as prestigious races like the Brickyard 400, Southern 500, and Coca-Cola 600. His goal moving forward is to continue building Team Penske into a top contender by winning another championship, the Daytona 500, and becoming the best team in the garage.
Since joining Team Penske in 2010 after a partial season with Hendrick Motorsports in 2009, Keselowski has earned 32 of his 33 career Cup Series wins and claimed the 2012 Cup Series title during his third year with the team. Team owner Roger Penske praised Keselowski for his skill on the track, leadership off the track, and dedication to partners, which have helped elevate the team’s status in NASCAR.
Keselowski was a major free agent at the end of 2020, but with his re-signing, the 2021 NASCAR free agency period is expected to be relatively quiet. It remains unclear who will replace Jimmie Johnson in the No. 48 car after 2020, but Keselowski, along with drivers like Kyle Larson and Alex Bowman, have confirmed their team commitments for the coming season. Other drivers such as Aric Almirola, Clint Bowyer, Erik Jones, and Bubba Wallace are also finalizing contracts, with Wallace reportedly being offered ownership stakes as part of his deal.
Additionally, the future of Chip Ganassi Racing’s No. 42 car remains uncertain. Following Larson’s dismissal over a controversial virtual race incident, Matt Kenseth took over but has had modest results with only two top-10 finishes in 16 races.
Fan Take: Keselowski’s decision to stay with Team Penske secures one of NASCAR’s top drivers and adds stability to the sport during a season of change. This extension not only boosts Team Penske’s championship aspirations but also keeps the competition fierce, promising exciting racing for fans in 2021.
