Keselowski dominates Chicagoland Speedway on way to 15th Nationwide Series Victory

Credit: Todd Warshaw/Getty Images for NASCAR

When the NASCAR Nationwide Series visited Chicagoland Speedway in June the race ended in dramatic fashion as Carl Edwards ran out of gas handing the lead over to Justin Allgaier. Saturday’s race didn’t come down to fuel mileage or a green-white-checkered finish like many have this season. This time Brad Keselowski dominated the 150 lap event taking home his third series victory of the season.

Pole sitter Brian Scott lost the lead to Keselowski on lap two and battled a loose racecar in the opening laps. By Lap 17 Scott had fallen back to sixth position but stayed within the top-10 for most of the race. Scott was able to improve the handling of his car and recorded a third place finish, tying his career best finish from Chicago of 2010.

Series point’s leader Ricky Stenhouse Jr. entered the race 16 points ahead of Elliott Sadler in the standings. Throughout the day Stenhouse complained about his car being too free. The points leader had solid pit stops (the team being pitted by David Ragan’s Cup crew) and finished in the eight spot allowing him to retain his points lead by 14.

The Dollar General 300 Powered by Coca-Cola was slowed three times for caution. The first caution came out for a spinning Ryan Truex who was able to rebound and finish 13th. The second caution was for debris and the third caution came out when the No. 30 of Kasey Kahne made contact with the outside wall after a tire went down.

Excitement occurred with 77 to go when then leader Carl Edwards was forced to pit road after a miscalculation caused him to run dangerously low on fuel. Edwards lost his three-plus second lead and exited pit road some nine seconds behind Keselowski.

The NASCAR Nationwide Series has a week off before returning to track at Dover.

The final results are as follows:

1. Brad Keselowski
2. Carl Edwards
3. Brian Scott
4. Aric Almirola
5. Sam Hornish Jr. (career best NNS finish)
6. Elliott Sadler
7. Jamie McMurray
8. Ricky Stenhouse Jr.
9. Paul Menard
10. Reed Sorenson
11. Trevor Bayne
12. Jason Leffler
13. Ryan Truex (highest finishing rookie)
14. Justin Allgaier
15. Mike Bliss
16. Michael Annett
17. Kenny Wallace
18. Steve Wallace
19. Joey Logano
20. Mike Wallace
21. Jeremy Clements
22. Timmy Hill
23. Joey Gase
24. Kevin Conway
25. Eric McClure
26. David Stremme
27. Blake Koch
28. Morgan Shepherd
29. Robert Richardson Jr.
30. Scott Wimmer
31. Josh Wise
32. Derrike Cope
33. Kasey Kahne
34. Matthew Carter
35. Mark Green
36. Scott Riggs
37. Carl Long
38. Johnny Chapman
39. Danny O’Quinn Jr.
40. Chase Miller
41. Dennis Setzer
42. JJ Yeley
43. TJ Bell