Brad Keselowski, caught in the middle of the latest Brad Keselowski pit road controversy, faced heavy criticism from fans following a tense incident involving Ty Gibbs and the No. 54 Joe Gibbs Racing crew at Sonoma Raceway last Sunday. The altercation escalated online, with Keselowski posting a sarcastic message about the situation, triggering a passionate response from NASCAR fans.
Keselowski’s Online Sarcasm Fuels Debate
Keenly focused on reshaping RFK Racing rather than chasing personal glory, Brad Keselowski has recently prioritized team ambitions over individual results. After a heated exchange took place on pit road at Sonoma Raceway—where Ty Gibbs brushed a member of Keselowski’s pit crew on his way to his stall—Keselowski responded with a pointed message on social media. He shared a product link for spiked mesh rivets, commenting:
“Amazon really does have everything a pit crew could need. Legal too!”
—Brad Keselowski, Driver
This jab was aimed directly at the Joe Gibbs Racing team, who had confronted Keselowski’s No. 6 crew earlier in the day. The conflict originated when Telvin McClurkin, Keselowski’s tire changer, inadvertently stepped into Gibbs’ path, prompting Gibbs to lightly make contact. NASCAR officials ruled that Gibbs was not at fault, given the placement of the pit stalls, and issued no penalties.
Social Media Criticism Ramps Up
Despite NASCAR’s decision to let Ty Gibbs off without punishment, Keselowski’s persistence on social media provoked frustrated replies from fans. Many took to the same thread to mock or correct him, as some saw his complaint as unfounded. One social media user retorted:
“@keselowski, one of your girls has your phone. @KeselowskiBrian, call your brother.”
—Fan on X
Another chimed in with:
“You’re allowed to drive through the pit box in front of your own, Brad. Quit whining.”
—Fan on X
Under NASCAR rules, drivers can indeed drive through the pit stalls of other teams if those stalls are directly ahead of their own, as was the case for Gibbs and Keselowski. This technicality, overlooked by Keselowski in his public statements, gave critics more reason to question his ongoing frustration.
Poor Season Performance Exacerbates the Scrutiny
While the pit road dispute drew attention, fans also used the moment to needle Keselowski about his personal performance. One pointedly remarked:
“How are you talking any kind of s**t when Zane Smith is beating you in points?”
—Fan on X
Currently, Zane Smith is ranked 25th in the Cup Series points standings after 20 races, while Keselowski lags in 27th place. Keselowski’s highest finish so far this season is a runner-up result at Atlanta Motor Speedway, a tough position for a seasoned veteran and former Cup Series champion. With struggles on the track and growing restlessness among fans, the pressure on Keselowski continues to mount.
The Uncertain Road Ahead for Keselowski
Veteran drivers like Brad Keselowski become easy targets when their recent results fail to match past achievements. In the emotionally charged world of NASCAR, public missteps, whether on pit road or online, can quickly escalate and impact reputation. The fallout from the Sonoma incident highlights both the intensity of fan expectations and the heavy scrutiny facing Keselowski late in his career. With over half the season remaining, all eyes are on Keselowski, RFK Racing, and whether they can mount a turnaround before the year’s end.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. Is Brad Keselowski Polish?
A. The Keselowski family comes from Polish roots. During his teenage years, Keselowski worked at his dad’s race shop by cleaning floors and cutting grass. In 2000, he started racing stock cars in the Factory Stock division.
