Sunday
Dodge NASCAR Nationwide Series Gateway International Raceway Post Race Notes & Quotes
Press Release
Gateway International Raceway
5-Hour Energy 250
NASCAR Nationwide Series
DID YOU HAVE DOUBTS WHEN YOU CAME IN AND TOOK FOUR TIRES?
“When we had that one more lap of yellow, it went from five to four (laps left), I knew it was going to be close. When (Mike) Bliss got the lead, I thought he would be gone. He had the best short-run car out of the group. I got a little break when 32 got to him, got him a little loose and was able to take advantage of it, but Mike drove a great race. So did my teammate Justin Allgaier. I thought he was going to win it, I really did. Things just didn’t work out for him. I’m very happy for him and the strong run he had. “
“Thirteen months ago, when Discount Tire called me and wanted me to drive this car, I knew it was going to be something special, but I didn’t know that it was going to be this good. Thanks to everyone at Discount Tire and Dodge. To get another win for Roger and finally get this Gateway win, the final race at this race track here in Illinois, it’s awesome.”
DOES THIS ERASE THE LAST RACE YOU HAD HERE AND THE INCIDENT WITH CARL?
“I try not to hold grudges. I try not to think of that and just focus on our next race. That was key about winning today. You can’t panic about what happened in the last race. You have to move forward and move on with your life. Our team did that today.”
PAUL WOLFE (Crew Chief, No. 22 Discount Tire Dodge Charger)
“We definitely knew we needed tires there at the end to have a shot at it. When you put Brad in that situation at the end, he finds a way to get the Discount Tire Dodge in victory lane. It’s just fun to watch. You make the right adjustments and give him a good car and usually, he can bring it to victory lane.
“That was some pretty exciting stuff; it was amazing to watch Brad there at the end. We knew that we had to give him four tires there on that last pit stop, a little air pressure. On restarts, he’s pretty awesome and for us, it was a no brainer. It was just fun to watch.”
AFTER JULY, WHAT DOES THIS MEAN?
“It’s special. I feel like we had the race won in July. Circumstances kind of got away from us there. To come back and bring the trophy home this time is special. I can’t think all the guys that work hard back at the shop enough. It’s been an outstanding year. See how many more of these we can win before it’s over.”
DID YOUR STRATEGY HAVE TO CHANGE EARLY BECAUSE BRAD STARTED 41ST?
“Not really. I think we were good enough and Brad was really patient early in the race. We got our track position back by halfway and Brad did the rest. He did an awesome job today.”
CAN YOU TASTE THE NATIONWIDE CHAMPIONSHIP NOW?
“Oh yeah. It’s pretty exciting for everyone at Penske and Dodge and Discount Tire and Ruby Tuesday. What an amazing year this has been.”
“I guess the fastest car doesn’t always win the race. The Verizon Dodge Charger was awesome today and we had the car to beat. We just made a bad pit call late and it cost us. It stinks to come to your hometown, run so good and not get the win. A great run, but it should have been a better result. These guys put a great race car underneath me today. It’s too bad.”
- Darnell Communications Press Release
Article Tags: 5-hour Energy 250, Brad Keselowski, Discount Tire, Dodge, Gateway (Ill.) International Raceway, Justin Allgaier, Mike Bliss, NASCAR Nationwide Series, NNS, No. 12 Verizon Wireless Dodge Charger, No. 22 Discount Tire Dodge Charger, Paul Wolfe, Penske Racing, Ruby Tuesday
