Keselowski planning no payback

Keselowski

Brad Keselowski says “the slate is clean,” and anticipates no escalation of the feud that has festered between himself and Carl Edwards when they line up again this weekend at Bristol.

“I don’t have any hard feeling; it’s over as far as I’m concerned,” Keselowski said Thursday during a media luncheon at the Country Music Hall of Fame & Museum to promote the April 3 NASCAR Nationwide race at Nashville Superspeedway.

Keselowski has been in the news for the past two weeks — including an appearance on Good Morning America! — after taking an upside-down airborne ride at Atlanta Speedway. Keselowski, who was not injured, was sent sailing after being intentionally tagged in the rear by Edwards. Keselowski earlier in the race had wrecked Edwards.

Their feud dates back to an incident last year at Talladega in which Keselowski hit Edwards and sent his car cartwheeling.

Following the Atlanta crash NASCAR placed Edwards on a three-race probation for “rough driving.”

Keselowski, who has a reputation as an aggressive racer, received no penalty and said he has heard nothing from NASCAR concerning his role in the incident. He hedged when asked if he considered Edwards’ three-race probation strong enough punishment.

“There’s a lot of different ways to look at it,” he said. “I support NASCAR like I support my country. I don’t always completely agree with every decision it makes but I still support it.”

Keselowski said he has had no communication with Edwards since the crash. The Sprint Cup Series had an open date last week. Their next meeting will be at Bristol on one of the toughest, most physical races on the circuit.

While track’s close-quarter racing often has tempers flaring, Keselowski said he doesn’t expect any “carryover” from the Atlanta incident.

He added, however, that he won’t change his aggressive driving style.

“This is how I race,” he said. “It’s what got me where I am today, and I think the fans appreciate it.”

Keselowski was voted the Most Popular Driver in the Nationwide Series last year. This season he is running full schedules in both the Nationwide and Sprint Cup series.

As for the clamor created by his wild Atlanta ride Keselowski said, “I think the attention has been good for the sport. Fans appreciate good, hard racing. You have to find that balance.”

Keselowski captured his first NASCAR victory at Nashville Superspeedway in a 2008 Nationwide race. Like all winners, he was presented a trophy Gibson guitar hand-painted by renowned racing artist Sam Bass. He said he “keeps it in a trophy case in my office — locked up, to make sure nobody gets in and breaks it.”

The jab was directed at Kyle Busch who stirred controversy last year by dashing his trophy guitar to bits in a “rock star-type” celebration after a victory.

The Superspeedway kicks off its 10th season with an April 2-3 doubleheader. A Camping World Series truck race will be held on Friday, April 2, followed by the April 3 Nationwide Series race.

Tickets and information are available at 1-866-RACE-TIX or on the track’s website. Tickets will remain on sale up to race time at the track gates.