Brad Keselowski’s praises the Montreal crowd, confirms return

Following Carl Edwards’ comments, it’s Brad Keselowski’s turn to praise the Montreal crowd and confirm his return to the 2010 NAPA Auto Parts 200, presented by Dodge.

Following Carl Edwards announcement, that he would defend his race win title, made during a conference call last week with the Montreal media, another of the NASCAR Nationwide Series up-and-coming superstars announced from Homestead-Miami in Florida on Monday, that he will also return in the NAPA Auto Parts 200 which will take place at Circuit Gilles Villeneuve next August 28-29.

Even though Brad Keselowski has yet to reach the star status of Missouri-born Edwards, the Rochester Hills, Michigan driver, who will turn 26 next February, has upped the ante by moving to Penske Racing for the 2010 season where he will compete for the first time in both the Sprint Cup and Nationwide Series.

Keselowski concluded his second full Nationwide Series season in third place in the standings, last Saturday at Homestead-Miami only 108 points behind series runner-up Carl Edwards.

“Last summer, Montreal fans expected a face-off between Carl Edwards and Kyle Busch, the two leading contenders at the time. Next year, they can look forward to Edwards being in the forefront once again, but his fiercest opponent could most likely be Brad Keselowski,” says François Dumontier, President of Octane Management and delegated promoter of the event.

“Since his first visit in Montreal in 2008, Brad has been learning the intricacies of Circuit Gilles Villeneuve quite rapidly, with a 12th-place finish his first time around followed by a fifth last summer. He is improving very quickly. I invite NASCAR fans to follow Keselowski’s season very closely next year, because, I believe, it will be either him or Carl leading the championship heading into the Montreal race next August.”

Like Edwards, who last Monday confirmed his participation in the next NAPA Auto Parts 200, Presented by Dodge, and praised the Montreal supporters by saying: “Of all the tracks I’ve competed on, I’ve never seen such an intense and passionate crowd,” Keselowski also had nothing but appreciation for the only NASCAR race held outside the United States.

Carl Edwards confirmed he will  defend his race win title in 2010 NAPA 200

“Yes, I’ll be coming back next year and I’m excited about it. The city of Montreal is awesome. I really enjoyed it. The fans are tremendous,” said the young man who has switched to a Dodge from a Chevrolet, and also mentioned, “their passion for racing – and NASCAR especially – was great to experience. Racing at Circuit Gilles Villeneuve was very unique last year. Going from wet to dry was really cool.”

A third generation Keselowski driver (his father Bob and uncle Ron also drove in NASCAR, and his brother Brian is still active), Brad was not yet a Nationwide Series regular in 2007 when NASCAR held its first race in Montreal.

In 2008, the young Michigan driver did quite well on the then three Nationwide road courses, with an eighth-place finish after qualifying 28th in Mexico, a 12th-place at the finish line in Montreal after qualifying again 28th, and a sixth-place finish in Watkins Glen (NY) a week later after qualifying fifth.

Last summer, he improved with a fifth-place from a 14th position on the grid on the New York State track, followed by a top-five finish after qualifying 19th.

Since November 16, tickets to see the stars of NASCAR, such as Carl Edwards and Brad Keselowski, at Circuit Gilles Villeneuve on Saturday and Sunday August 28-29 are available by calling 514 397-0007 or by visiting www.circuitgillesvilleneuve.ca without delay.

Event organizers remind to those who want to make sure that tickets for the 2010 Montreal NAPA Auto Parts 200, Presented by Dodge make their way under this year’s Christmas tree, should order this novel gift before Monday, December 6, 2009.

Mandated by Stock-Car Montreal, a wholly-owned subsidiary of International Speedway Corporation (ISC) based in Daytona Beach, Florida, Octane Management is, since 2009, the delegated promoter of the NAPA Auto Parts 200, Presented by Dodge.

ISC is the leading promoter of motorsports in North America, hosting over 100 major racing events each year.

source: Stock-Car Montreal by Normand Prieur