NASCAR mailbag: Why Brad Keselowski wasn’t wrong to call out Toyota for ‘sandbagging’

Each week SB Nation’s NASCAR reporter Jordan Bianchi answers your questions about the latest news and happenings within the sport. If you have a future mailbag question, email jordanmbianchi@gmail.com.

How foolish does Brad Keselowski look for saying the Toyotas were “sandbagging” at Michigan only to see Martin Truex Jr. almost win? That No. 78 Toyota didn’t look like it was holding anything back to me. Maybe Brad should learn to think before he speaks so he doesn’t say anything more to embarrass himself.

-- Andy

Don’t think for a second Keselowski’s assertion wasn’t calculated. The very reason he made those comments was because he was looking at the big picture, recognizing NASCAR often takes one car from each manufacturer back to its R&D Center for a thorough inspection before the playoffs start to ensure Chevrolet, Ford and Toyota are competing on level ground.

All Keselowski attempted to do was protect his own interests, simply conveying his belief to NASCAR that Joe Gibbs Racing and Furniture Row Racing were attempting to circumvent officials uncovering whatever performance advantage the Toyotas have recently held. Considering how qualifying unfolded, with Fords taking the top-three positions while Toyota-powered drivers uncharacteristically struggled, it’s easy to understand why Keselowski thought something fishy was afoot.

Obviously, FRR teammates Truex and Erik Jones nearly winning Sunday squelched Keselowski’s theory. And how Truex, Kyle Busch and Denny Hamlin responded publicly to Keselowski’s comments further underscored that he was off base.

But any criticism toward Keselowski is unjust. Drivers lobbying to gain concessions from officials related to their particular make of car while disadvantaging the competition is just the gamesmanship that regularly occurs in all forms of motor sports. This was just the latest example and certainly won’t be the last.

I loved seeing Darrell Wallace Jr. win the Michigan Truck race. You could tell the win meant a lot to him! So I’m wondering, how much does this help him get a full-time ride? I’d think it has to help a lot, as it shows teams he can win if given the chance.

-- Rob

The triumph was a feel-good moment for Wallace, coming amid a roller-coaster year where his Xfinity Series team shutdown even though he was in title contention, followed by a successful four-race foray substituting for Aric Almirola in the Cup Series, which didn’t result in any immediate full-time opportunities. The warmness is tainted some with Wallace’s truck being found with nonconforming vents, resulting in the win being encumbered and a suspension and fine for Wallace’s crew chief.

Penalties aside, winning never hurts when you’re trying to keep your name in the news and remain top-of-mind for potential teams and sponsors. But there was never any doubt that Wallace could win in the Truck Series, it’s something he’s done before with regularity. What is uncertain is whether the 23-year-old can have the same level of success in Xfinity and Cup. Let’s remember, he’s winless in 84 career Xfinity starts.

Still, Wallace took a big step this season — he ranked fourth in Xfinity points before his team suspended operations in June and showed promise as Almirola’s fill-in — indicating the potential is there for greater success and deserving of a full-time seat be it in Xfinity or Cup.

As for what happens next, like most everything nowadays in NASCAR, it comes down to sponsorship. If the funding can be found, Wallace will find a team and race full-time. If not, he’ll continue to get sporadic chances like he has since his relief stint with Richard Petty Motorsports concluded.

When does Kyle Larson’s contract with Chip Ganassi Racing end? I ask because I’m curious if you think he’ll stay with the team or go elsewhere? He seems like the kinda driver Hendrick [Motorsports] would love and go after. And with teams not paying big contracts, will that have an impact on if Larson stays with Ganassi?

-- Dan

Chip Ganassi guards the details of his drivers’ contracts as if they were state secrets, so exactly when Larson’s current deal expires isn’t known. Although neither Ganassi nor Larson will divulge publicly, it’s believed he has another two seasons beyond this one.

Even with drivers facing a different economic climate than they’re accustomed to, Larson is one of the few exceptions. Were he to ever test free agency, his services would be in high demand with Rick Hendrick, Gene Haas and Roger Penske all coveting to such a degree Larson could essentially name his price.

Ultimately, Ganassi will have a lot of influence whether Larson stays or goes. As long as CGR remains vibrant and competitive, it’s hard to image Larson jumping elsewhere. He’s quite loyal and credits Ganassi for giving him his big break when other organizations weren’t willing, something Larson frequently mentions.

Of course, loyalty has its limits. So were CGR to regress to where it failed to provide Larson with the resources to win, then him leaving becomes more realistic. As for now, all indications are Ganassi and Larson will stay together long term.