Catchfence

Does the Michigan professional sports scene have you down in the dumps? The Lions are looking like the Lions, the Red Wings look to be struggling early this season, the Tigers lose a heartbreaker to Minnesota that knocked them out of the playoffs and the Pistons – they’re just getting things started.

I have good news Michigan! Finally we have a full time driver competing in the Sprint Cup Series. I know others have been there – like Johnny Benson, who has won NASCAR championships in the Nationwide Series and the Camping World Truck Series. But Johnny didn’t stay at the Cup level very long.

And while Michigan is the official home for companies owned by NASCAR team owner’s Roger Penske and Jack Roush, having a full-time driver with an opportunity to bring Michigan home a championship hasn’t been seen at the Cup level in years.

Brad Keselowski, a native of Rochester Hills, MI will take the wheel of the No. 12 Dodge for Penske Racing beginning this weekend at Texas Motor Speedway. He announced in September that he would be leaving JR Motorsports at the end of the season to drive for Penske Racing in 2010. This recent move to put him in a Penske car early has Keselowski replacing David Stremme who is only one of two drivers that haven’t scored a top 15 finish this season.

- Midland Daily News