Brad Keselowski Not Worried About Past Feuds Heading Into Chase

“I meant what I said when I said what I said, and I’m not going to take that back.”

That is how Brad Keselowski reflected on his pre-race comments before to last year’s race at Bristol Motor Speedway, when he took to the microphone and called Kyle Busch “an ass” in front a roaring crowd.

Over the past few seasons, Keselowski has ruffled the feathers of many as he has emerged as a contender in both the Nationwide and Sprint Cup Series. Yet, this season, Keselowski has stayed away from the feuds and fights, instead earning praise from his fellow drivers for his tenacity and talent on the track.

In 2009, Keselowski and Denny Hamlin had a number of incidents in the Nationwide Series, leading to a large shoving match on pit road in Charlotte. Last year, Carl Edwards sent Keselowski flying through the air in Atlanta and wrecking off the final corner in a Nationwide Series race at Gateway. Keselowski also got into it with Busch throughout the season as they battled for the Nationwide title.

Despite criticism from other drivers on and off the track, Keselowski remained focused and determined to accomplish his goals of winning races and championships. Through all the controversy and attention, fines and probations, Keselowski was able to win the Nationwide Series championship in 2010.

With two wins and a string of impressive runs on his side this season, Keselowski is the leading wild card candidate for the Chase. Once in the Chase, however, he will have to battle the likes of Busch, Edwards and possibly Hamlin for the title.

“It’s on a case by case basis, as of right now I don’t have any issue or qualms with Kyle,” he said. “But that could certainly change.”

His ability to overcome injury and contend for the win over the last three weeks has turned the heads of many and led him to become a serious contender for the Sprint Cup title.

“Success breeds respect,” he argued.

However, Keselowski does not believe the lack of feuds has led to that success.

”What’s helped me become more successful at this time of year against last year is having better race cars and a better team, a stronger company here at Penkse Racing,” he said. “I don’t think it’s much more complicated than that.”

While he admitted feuds have the potential to become distracting if you let them, he never let that become the case throughout the season last year, and does not plan to let it happen this year. Saying he has not made a concerted effort to mend fences over the past year, he does not plan on doing anything different going forward, instead remaining focused on task at hand, winning the Sprint Cup title.