NASCAR: Brad Keselowski to return to Team Penske in 2021

Brad Keselowski and Team Penske have reached a contract extension for the 2021 NASCAR Cup Series season following his third win of 2020.

Team Penske have solidified their driver lineup for the 2021 NASCAR Cup Series season, as they have reached an agreement with 2012 champion Brad Keselowski for him to return behind the wheel of the #2 Ford through at least next season.

Keselowski was the only one of the team’s three drivers without a contract to compete next season after they re-signed Ryan Blaney on a multi-year extension back in March. 2018 champion Joey Logano had already been under contract for at least the next few seasons.

“I have been racing for Team Penske for the vast majority of my NASCAR career and to continue to represent Roger Penske, our partners and his organization is exactly where I want to be,” said Keselowski in a team release.

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“We’ve accomplished a lot of things together over the years, including winning both the Cup and Xfinity Championships, the Brickyard 400, the Southern 500 and the Coca-Cola 600. Now, my goal is to win the Daytona 500, another championship and continue to build Team Penske into the best NASCAR team in the garage area.”

Keselowski, who secured his 33rd career victory and his third victory of the 2020 season yesterday at New Hampshire Motor Speedway, had been quiet about where he and the team stood on a contract extension, stating that he was “hopeful” but that he wouldn’t say anything else until a deal was announced.

“We are pleased that Brad will continue to be a part of our organization,” said team owner Roger Penske in a team release. “Brad not only demonstrates talent and skill on the track, but his leadership away from it and his dedication to our partners have had a huge impact in making our organization one of the best in NASCAR. I am proud that we will be able to able to keep the continuity we have with Brad, Ryan and Joey and look forward to competing for more wins and championships together.”

The 36-year-old Rochester Hills, Michigan native, who became a full-time driver in 2010 and has only ever driven full-time for Team Penske, had been rumored as a potential replacement for seven-time champion Jimmie Johnson behind the wheel of the #48 Chevrolet at Hendrick Motorsports, as he drove for the Rick Hendrick co-owner JR Motorsports Xfinity Series team in 2008 and 2009.

Wood Brothers Racing’s Matt DiBenedetto and Team Penske Xfinity Series driver Austin Cindric, the son of team president Tim Cindric, had been seen as possible replacement candidates behind the wheel of the #2 Ford, should that have been the route Keselowski opted to take.

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Through the first 20 races of the 2020 season, Keselowski sits in second place in the championship standings and third in the playoff picture with wins at Charlotte Motor Speedway, Bristol Motor Speedway and New Hampshire Motor Speedway.

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