Lucky 13 for Keselowski in Kentucky – NNS Feed the Children 300 Recap

Keselowski earned his 13th career NNS victory at Kentucky Speedway.
Credit: Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images for NASCAR

Heading into Friday night’s NASCAR Nationwide Series race at Kentucky Speedway all eyes were on Joe Gibbs Racing. In the past three races at the track Joey Logano had taken the checkered flag while Kyle Busch, a master of the 1.5 miles tracks, had to start from the back of the field after a crash during qualifying earlier in the day. Gibbs driver, and Nationwide Series regular, Brian Scott has had a series of bad runs and unfortunate accidents in 2011 leaving many to wonder if he could bounce back.

Unfortunately for JGR fans their driver’s didn’t play much of a factor in the outcome. It was Kevin Harvick and Brad Keselowski who had the cars to beat with the No. 22 Discount Tire machine taking the victory in what ultimately became a fuel mileage race. Harvick had the best car in the first half of the race leading 56 laps but as the track conditions changed he couldn’t keep up with Keselowski. When both drivers were forced into fuel conservation mode Harvick made up time but couldn’t make the pass for the lead. The final blow to Harvick’s night came when his crew chief called off a pit stop for fuel at the last minute. There was no way Harvick could conserve fuel and make up the two second deficit after the miscue. Friday night’s win was Keselowski’s 13th career Nationwide Series victory.

Nationwide Series regular Ricky Stenhouse Jr. started the night out with a flat tire and a spin but came back strong to finish in ninth position while teammate Trevor Bayne came home in the 11th position. Eliott Sadler was the highest finishing non-Cup driver coming home in fifth position and taking over the series points lead.
The series heads to New Hampshire Motor Speedway next weekend. Look for Skirts and Scuffs columnist Genevieve Cadorette to bring you the play-by-play.
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A fan of NASCAR since the age of 12, Katy Lindamood is the Founder/Editor-in-Chief of Skirts and Scuffs. In addition to Beyond the Byline, which profiles the women of Skirts and Scuffs, Katy also writes Deuces Wild, a weekly recap of Penske Racing drivers Brad Keselowski and Kurt Busch. Katy can be contacted via email or through Twitter.