A typical test for the Verizon IndyCar Series at Road America ahead of next week’s Kohler Grand Prix had a shocker in the final couple hours of testing.
Brad Keselowski, the 2012 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series champion, climbed into Simon Pagenaud’s No. 22 Menards Team Penske Chevrolet to run some laps.
Team Penske and the IndyCar Series posted tweets of Keselowski preparing to run the car and video of him doing so.
Keselowski does have one past NASCAR Xfinity Series start at the track, having finished fourth in 2010.
And for good measure, Ed Carpenter offered Kasey Kahne a chance to run whenever he wants too, after Kahne tweeted “awesome!!” after seeing the news. Carpenter runs the two-car Ed Carpenter Racing program.
Let me know when you want a go... https://t.co/oXdBEfYAB1
— Ed Carpenter (@edcarpenter20) June 15, 2016
So, just before 4 p.m., he looks set to do so.
Here’s a social roundup... this post will be updated:
Look who showed up at the @IndyCar test at @roadamerica. NASCAR Champion @keselowski is checking it out. pic.twitter.com/mePJxEwoyZ
— Team Penske (@Team_Penske) June 15, 2016
Think we can get @keselowski to take some laps in the @Menards car? pic.twitter.com/HM4vIEOUoQ
— Team Penske (@Team_Penske) June 15, 2016
Yup. We talked him into it. @keselowski is even getting some pointers from @MarcoAndretti pic.twitter.com/oNmKvPO6Nd
— Team Penske (@Team_Penske) June 15, 2016
If you’re gonna make your first laps in @IndyCar who better to get advice from but points leader @simonpagenaud pic.twitter.com/c5JBM62p07
— Team Penske (@Team_Penske) June 15, 2016
It’s happening @MillerLite @Menards @IndyCar @roadamerica pic.twitter.com/NhrMJ1Zofz
— Team Penske (@Team_Penske) June 15, 2016
.@keselowski is about to jump in a @Team_Penske #INDYCAR for a few laps! #KohlerGP pic.twitter.com/OmFqWFvrUI
— NTT INDYCAR SERIES (@IndyCar) June 15, 2016
Here we go! @keselowski about to hit the track @roadamerica! #Indycar #KohlerGP pic.twitter.com/ZSYioIbGnP
— NTT INDYCAR SERIES (@IndyCar) June 15, 2016
And @keselowski is off… @roadamerica @IndyCar pic.twitter.com/OX08FkMH1b
— Team Penske (@Team_Penske) June 15, 2016
And there @keselowski goes… @IndyCar @roadamerica pic.twitter.com/yq2DYzEx5w
— Team Penske (@Team_Penske) June 15, 2016
. @keselowski finishes his day @roadamerica turning his fastest lap at the end and improving his top speed to 187.
— Team Penske (@Team_Penske) June 15, 2016
.@keselowski day is complete. Smiles all around. @simonpagenaud @MillerLite @IndyCar @Menards pic.twitter.com/KkgJJKXO0e
— Team Penske (@Team_Penske) June 15, 2016