Pole-sitter Brad Keselowski missed a chance at winning on his home track Sunday thanks to a mid-race spin and then a late pit stop for fuel during the Cup race at Michigan International Speedway.
Keselowski’s first hurdle came with five laps left in Stage 2 when his right-rear tire went down, causing the No. 2 Ford to slide with sparks coming off the wheel. Keselowski managed to save the car, which slid into the grass on the inside of Turn 4.
“I can’t believe I kept that thing off the wall,” Keselowski told his team under caution.
Keselowski, who led a race-high 66 laps, pit for new tires and was told no problems were found on the car. He restarted 28th, a lap down.
The race restarted for a one-lap shootout to end the stage. Coming to the finish, Austin Dillon, Daniel Hemric and Aric Almirola wrecked on the frontstretch.
Keselowski finished the stage in 27th and returned to the lead lap after receiving the free pass.
Keselowski fought back through a series of cautions to put himself back in the top 10 midway through the final stage.
With 40 laps to go he was in third, but like teammate Ryan Blaney, not enough fuel was put in his car on the previous pit stop. Keselowski was forced to pit from third with 11 laps left. He ended the day in 19th.
2 of Brad Keselowski had an inner valve stem knocked out of his RR wheel, causing that tire to go down at Michigan.
— Goodyear Racing (@GoodyearRacing) August 11, 2019
One of those days... great speed in the car but it didn’t come together.
— Brad Keselowski (@keselowski) August 11, 2019
Someone once told me faith isn’t believing when everything is going your way- it’s believing when nothing is going your way.
Today was a test of faith. We will return and win here, just not today. https://t.co/C81DZ11wvl