AVONDALE, AZ (March 8, 2026) – Brad Keselowski turned adversity into a determined charge Sunday at Phoenix Raceway. Forced to a backup Consumer Cellular Ford Mustang following a practice crash and starting from the 37th position, Keselowski steadily worked his way through the field. Despite sustaining nose damage while avoiding a multi-car incident late in the race, he continued to battle forward, gaining more than 20 positions to earn a hard-fought 15th-place finish.

6 Brad Keselowski

Brad Keselowski’s season has been defined by adversity, or more accurately, his ability to overcome it. This weekend was no different. After a practice crash relegated him to a backup car and a 37th starting position, he was once again determined to push through obstacles. From the drop of the green flag, the Consumer Cellular Ford Mustang was on the move. Validating the tireless work the 6 team had done to prepare the backup, Keselowski radioed that the car drove almost identical to the primary. He finished Stage Two with modest gains but with obvious potential.

With adjustments made between stages, the bright orange Ford showed noticeable improvement. Keselowski reported better entry and took advantage of several restarts, making aggressive moves to pick up positions. Strategy became a factor late in the stage when the team elected to stay out under caution. It was a calculated move, understanding Keselowski would lose ground on worn tires but with the upside of having an extra set of sticker tires for the final segment. The risk reward strategy would hinge on Keselowski’s ability to remain on the lead lap for the remainder of the segment. Mission accomplished.

As Stage Three began, the tire strategy put the 6 team in a good position. But there would be a wrinkle. Not long after the stage began, a caution period would create a chaotic restart that would alter the course of Keselowski’s day. Taking evasive action to avoid a multi car crash, the 2012 champ’s car sustained nose damage. Although it was minor it did impede the car’s ability to turn. Keselowski though fought through it, like he has so many other challenges this year, to surge forward. When the checkers waived, he was more than 20 positions higher than where he started, finishing 15th.

“It was a really hard-fought weekend,” said Keselowski. I don’t think we had the weekend we wanted to have but we fought through it and got the best we could get out of it. Just want to be a little faster. I thought the pit crew did the best they could. There were tough circumstances with the pit stall, and they did a really good job managing that. We did a good job of managing starting last and having to go to a back up car and getting something out of this weekend.”