Brad Keselowski, a veteran NASCAR Cup Series driver, has reflected on a dramatic crash from the 2000 Thatlook.com 200 Truck Series race at New Hampshire Motor Speedway, highlighting how it shaped his outlook on resilience in motorsport. This Brad Keselowski NASCAR tribute casts light on his admiration for fellow driver Dennis Setzer, whose determination left a lasting mark both on the track and in Keselowski’s career.
Remembering the 2000 Thatlook.com 200 Incident
During the fifteenth event of the 2000 NASCAR season, several accidents disrupted the annual 200-lap contest at New Hampshire Motor Speedway. Among those impacted was Dennis Setzer, a driver who served as a role model for a young Brad Keselowski. The memory remains vivid for Keselowski, given both Setzer’s close call and the personal connection: both Brad and his brother Brian Keselowski were involved in dealing with the aftermath, being tasked with dismantling the severely damaged vehicle back in Michigan.
Recalling the events, Keselowski marveled at how the accidents of that day demonstrated both the dangers and the remarkable survival stories found in NASCAR’s history.
“Wasn’t at the race but my brother Brian and I got the job of cutting this truck up when it got back to Michigan,”
Brad Keselowski wrote.
“I’ve never seen so much damage to the center section and seat area with the driver being ok.”
— Brad Keselowski, NASCAR Cup Series driver
Despite considerable bruising, Setzer returned to compete as early as the very next weekend. Keselowski described Setzer’s toughness and dedication as formative:
“Dennis was so tough, raced the next week all bruised up. He is/was the guy I looked up to the most at this time as a racer,”
he added. — Brad Keselowski, NASCAR Cup Series driver
Results from a Tumultuous Race
The 2000 race itself concluded with Kurt Busch taking the victory, while Mike Wallace, Randy Tolsma, Greg Biffle, and Andy Houston rounded out the top five. Setzer finished P33 after being part of a group of nine drivers caught up in race incidents, illustrating how deeply the day’s events affected not just the results but also the competitors involved. Setzer’s determination to continue racing after this adversity highlighted the resilience that young drivers like Keselowski noticed and admired.
Keselowski’s Concerns About NASCAR’s Shift Toward Road Courses
In more recent commentary, Brad Keselowski, now piloting the No. 6 Ford Mustang for RFK Racing, has been vocal about NASCAR’s current preference for road course events. He argues that the increasing number of road courses does not align with the interests of fans or sponsors. Drawing on his experiences as a business owner, Keselowski has said that these races are difficult to market and have the lowest turnout among NASCAR events.
“I just put on my business owner hat and I don’t understand why the sport wants to run so many road course races,”
Brad Keselowski said in a statement.
“As a business owner, they are the hardest races to sell sponsors for.”
— Brad Keselowski, NASCAR Cup Series driver
He also added,
“It has the lowest attendance. That doesn’t make sense to me,”
he explained.
“We should be going to places where the sponsors wanna be. Where the fans wanna be.”
— Brad Keselowski, NASCAR Cup Series driver
For the 2026 Cup Series campaign, four road courses are scheduled, with one of them—Circuit of The Americas—recently hosting a 95-lap event won by Tyler Reddick, while Keselowski himself finished 20th. Keselowski’s criticisms underline a broader debate about the direction of NASCAR’s season planning and its relationship with traditional ovals versus newer road course formats.
What Lies Ahead for Keselowski and NASCAR
Brad Keselowski now prepares for his next challenge at the Straight Talk Wireless 500 at Phoenix Raceway on March 8, where he hopes to build on his season’s progress. Fans can follow live broadcasts on FS1 or tune in via MRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio. As discussions continue about the ideal race calendar, Keselowski’s perspective reminds NASCAR’s decision-makers of the importance of honoring the interests of both competitors and fans, blending tradition with evolving formats in pursuit of racing excellence.
Wasn’t at the race but my brother Brian and I got the job of cutting this truck up when it got back to Michigan. I’ve never seen so much damage to the center section and seat area with the driver being ok.
Dennis was so tough, raced the next week all bruised up. He is/was the… https://t.co/ZleBBtcxbP
— Brad Keselowski (@keselowski) March 4, 2026
