Focus Factor: Keselowski Continues Steady Title March

Two years ago his first full season in the NASCAR Nationwide Series a young up-and-coming driver named Brad Keselowski (No. 22 Discount Tire Dodge) pulled off a stunning upset at Bristol Motor Speedway in the August night race. Running in a field that included 14 double-duty drivers and eight former Bristol winners, Keselowski, trying to make a name for himself in NASCARs national series, didnt have the luxury of looking at the bigger picture as he does today. Then, he was a distant third in the points standings. His win was the first for a series only regular at Bristol since two-time series champion Martin Truex Jr., in the 2004 spring race, and the first for a regular guy in the summer event since Kevin Harvick in 2000. But Friday night, against a field that started with the largest number of entries this season 52 Keselowski does have the big-picture view. Now a double duty driver himself, he has a 347-point lead over second-place Carl Edwards (No. 60 Fastenal Ford), who will be making his 200th start in the series. Keselowski comes to Bristol off his fourth win of the season last Saturday at Michigan International Speedway, his home track. That win tied his career high, set last year. Seeing the bigger picture may be best for Keselowski, especially at Bristol. Series champions have won the August race only four times, the last being Harvick in 2001. Others include two-time series champions Jack Ingram (1982), Sam Ard (1983) and Larry Pearson (1987). Penske Racing teammate Justin Allgaier (No. 12 Verizon Wireless Dodge) became the most recent series-only regular to win at Bristol when he did so in March. Keselowski won the pole for that event, and finished second. Series Owner Championship Remains Close Brad Keselowskis win at Michigan the second of four races for the NASCAR Nationwide Series new car and the first victory for the Dodge Challenger extended his lead in the driver standings. It also once again tightened the battle for the owner championship. Despite his hefty advantage in the driver category, Keselowskis No. 22 Penske Racing team is second in the owner points to Joe Gibbs Racings No. 18 team, but has closed the gap to four points. Reigning series champion Kyle Busch (No. 18 Z-Line Designs Toyota) has driven in 19 of the seasons 23 races, while Brad Coleman has handled the other four. Either the No. 18 (leader four times) or No. 22 (leader five times) team has been in first place over the last nine weeks. The largest margin between the two was 87 points following Road America when the No. 22 team had the advantage. The No. 18 teams biggest lead in that span has been 34 points twice. Busch is entered at Bristol where he has one win, the 2006 spring race. Hes one shy of tying the mark he shares with Sam Ard for most wins in a season (10).