Fifteen years, heartbreaks, and a burning desire to finally win the Great American Race
For Brad Keselowski, the Daytona 500 remains the one that got away. Despite a stellar NASCAR career that includes a Cup Series championship (2012) and 35 career wins, the biggest prize in stock car racing has eluded him.
And at this time of year, it’s the only thing people want to ask him about.
“Right now, yeah, it’s all about the Daytona 500,” Keselowski said when asked whether fans bring up the race or his quest for a second Cup title more often. “It’s kind of like having kids. People ask, ‘When are you having a kid?’ Then when you do, they say, ‘When are you having another?’ It’s always onto the next thing.”
A Career of Close Calls and Painful What-Ifs
Keselowski has led 180 laps in the Great American Race, proving he can be a factor at Daytona. Yet, he’s never sealed the deal—a bitter reality for one of the sport’s best superspeedway racers.
🔹 2014 – Restarted second in a green-white-checkered finish, but Dale Earnhardt Jr. pulled away and left him behind. Keselowski finished third.
🔹 2021 – On the final lap, Keselowski made a move on Penske teammate Joey Logano with Michael McDowell pushing from behind. The result? A massive wreck that destroyed the field and cost him a shot at victory.
🔹 2022 – Led 67 laps and was a major contender until late-race chaos ended his bid again.
It’s a cruel twist for a driver who has won six superspeedway races, including a Daytona summer race victory in 2016. Yet, the Daytona 500 remains just out of reach.
Will Keselowski Ever Win It?
As time ticks on, the question looms—what if he never wins it?
“Yes and no,” Keselowski admitted. “You want it really bad, but once the race is over, you move on to the next challenge. When they load those haulers up Sunday night, it’s all about Atlanta. Daytona doesn’t exist anymore.”
That’s the beauty and heartbreak of NASCAR. You live in the moment, and even the greatest disappointment quickly gets pushed aside for the next race.
A Second Championship: The Other Missing Piece
It’s been 12 years since Keselowski’s first and only Cup Series title. He’s had plenty of playoff appearances, but only made it to the Championship 4 twice (2017, 2020).
🔹 At 28, he was the youngest Cup champion since Jeff Gordon.
🔹 At 40, he’s still chasing title No. 2—but it would mean something entirely different.
“It would definitely feel different,” Keselowski reflected. “When I was 28 and now I’m 40, that feels like another life. You recognize and appreciate things differently.”
Can 2025 Be the Year?
With RFK Racing showing major improvement, Keselowski enters the Daytona 500 with renewed hope. He knows the pain of falling short at Daytona, but he also knows the reward of finally getting that Harley J. Earl Trophy in his hands.
Maybe, just maybe, the 16th time’s the charm.
