Denny Hamlin says Brad Keselowski is just entering prime of his career

A 2012 NASCAR Cup Series champion and 35-time winner on the circuit, Brad Keselowski has long been recognized as one of the best drivers of his generation.

But according to Denny Hamlin, the best may still be yet to come from Keselowski. Keselowski, who turned 40 years old Monday, is just now entering his prime, Hamlin said on his “Actions Detrimental” podcast this week.

Have we seen the best of @keselowski yet? 🤔

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“He probably doesn’t get enough credit for how good he is behind the wheel,” Hamlin said. “He’s just really, really good. It just may have not shown in the win column the past couple of years. When you’re building an organization or you’re trying to help the technical side of things, the competition side of things — it’s a process.

“I can understand that firsthand how tough it is for a two-car organization or a three-car organization to go out there and win. So, I think that we still haven’t seen in by the numbers, Brad’s probably getting right to his prime, which is almost that 40 number. He’s getting into that really sweet spot where statistically, he’s going to be in his prime. Have we even seen the best Brad yet?”

Though it’s been nearly three years since Keselowski has felt the joy of being in victory lane, the 2023 season was a step in the right direction towards reestablishing himself as one of the sport’s best. Keselowski, who parted ways with Team Penske following the 2021 season after 11 years, finished eighth in the points standings this past season, recording seven top 5s and 16 top 10s.

Brad Keselowski ‘pleased not satisfied’ with 2023 season

The year prior, his first behind the wheel of the No. 6 Ford for RFK Racing, of which he is co-owner of, Keselowski finished a career-low 24th in the points standings. Not only did he bounce back last season, but fellow RFK driver Chris Buescher won three races and finished seventh in the points standings.

While RFK Racing took strides in 2023, Keselowski made it clear the goals of the team remain even higher.

“I think the overarching theme is pleased not satisfied,” Keselowski said on SiriusXM NASCAR Radio in November. “Pleased with the progress, not satisfied with where we’re at. I felt like there were times last year where we didn’t look that great and then there were a lot of times last year, especially around the late summer where I felt like we looked like two of the best cars on the track.

“It didn’t all click when it needed to. That’s part of racing, that’s part of sports and life. If we get it all to click, we can be a championship contender with both cars. So, pleased that we’re able to say that — we wouldn’t have been able to say that last year. But not satisfied that we weren’t able to realize it. Especially in those final eight races, or probably in the final four or six races. That’s the challenge for us ahead is getting us to a spot where we can realize that with results.”