Brad Keselowski explains decision to run out of fuel at Indianapolis Motor Speedway
Brad Keselowski was leading in what looked like it was going to be the final push in the Brickyard 400, looking to kiss the bricks once again at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
He was always going to be close on fuel, trying to hold off Ryan Blaney and Kyle Larson, but the possibility of making it to the finish exasperated when a Kyle Busch wreck brought out the caution. Keselowski tried to chance it and stay out, but he ran out of gas before the race ever went back green.
It certainly caused a ton of controversy, as Larson was essentially gifted the lead when Keselowski had to shoot down to the pits. Still, nobody was in a more disappointed mood than the No. 6 wheelman, as he realized a shot at winning the Brickyard 400 was within his reach.
Afterwards, Keselowski spoke with the media about his decision to try and run his Ford until the final drop of gas was utilized, and the effect it had on the end of the afternoon for not just him, but many drivers near the front.
“I was just asking. I feel like we probably could’ve gotten to the exit of Turn 4. Maybe could’ve fought it off, maybe not. I don’t know. Would’ve liked to see. Just one of them deals,” Keselowski told FOX’s Bob Pockrass following the race. “You know, we have top ten speed. We’re not dominant, but we’re really competitive. You’re just trying to put yourself in a position for something good to happen to you, both here and Pocono. We got yellows. We didn’t need yellows at Pocono, with both of our cars, but I feel like we had control of the race. We didn’t get yellows, when we needed yellows, to win today.
“So, you know, that stuff comes and goes, and it’ll come back to us at some point. People will say we were really lucky, and they’ll forget days like today. That’s how this sport goes.”
It certainly would’ve been interesting to see whether Keselowski would’ve been able to hold onto the lead on the final front-stretch while running out of gas, and what he would’ve been willing to do. He confirmed to Pockrass that his plan was never to come down pit road, and see if his car could hold on.
“I was going to run it,” Keselowski added. “We were going to run out coming off of four, to the checkered.”
In the end, Brad Keselowski never got the chance to see if he could make it, and he ended up with a P21 finish. Still, he showed that RFK Racing is a team to fear week-in and week-out, during the biggest races the Cup Series has to offer.