Keselowski vows to complete Sunday’s race at Pocono

Keselowski vows to complete Sunday’s race at Pocono

 

By Reid Spencer
Sporting News NASCAR Wire Service

 

(August 5, 2011)

 

LONG POND, Pa.—Despite a wreck in testing that cracked his left ankle, Brad Keselowski promised to finish Sunday’s Sprint Cup Series race at Pocono Raceway.

 

“I’m not going to get out—I don’t care how much it hurts,” Keselowski said after Friday’s first Sprint Cup practice at Pocono Raceway. “That’s not going to happen.”

 

If Keselowski sticks to his plan, Sam Hornish Jr. won’t have much to do Sunday, when he’ll be standing by as a relief driver for at Pocono. Hornish will take Keselowski’s place in Saturday’s Nationwide Series race at Iowa Speedway.

 

“I would go there if they would let me,” Keselowski said of the Iowa event. “I don’t think I’m going to be able to convince (team owner) Roger (Penske) of that. I CAN tell you I’m not getting out Sunday.”

 

Keselowski was injured Wednesday when his brakes failed during a test session on the road course at Road Atlanta in preparation for the Aug. 14 event at Watkins Glen. To make matters worse, Keselowski spun and cut a tire during Friday’s second Cup practice session.

 

He kept the No. 2 Dodge off the wall, but a wrecker brought it back to the garage because driving it with a flat tire could have done considerable damage.

 

“It’s just been one of those weeks, I guess,” he said afterward. “You come to Pocono, and Turn 1 is pretty fast. I ran over something and cut down a left-rear tire. Glad to bring home the Blue Deuce, at least, in one piece on the racetrack—hope the wrecker brings it home in one piece.

 

“Other than the tires, we’ve got no damage.”

 

 

 

Bowyer: Play hurt—or you might lose your ride

 

Is there a Wally Pipp factor in racing? Clint Bowyer thinks so.

 

Pipp was the New York Yankees first baseman benched on June 2, 1925, in favor of Lou Gehrig, who subsequently held the job for 2,130 consecutive games. The moral? Sit out a game, and you may never get back in the lineup.

 

Bowyer thinks that’s a large part of a driver’s mentality. The case in point is Keselowski’s injury.

 

“It was very scary,” Bowyer said of Keselowski’s wreck. “I can’t believe he is driving. I’m not a doctor, but his ankle looked twice the size of the other one in the picture. I bet he’s going to be pretty uncomfortable when he has to mash the brakes in Turn 1. He’s going to tough it out and make the best out of it, and that’s what you have to do.

 

“It seems like in this sport, you have to be able to move on and tough it out. Get through it—if you don’t, your opportunity … somebody else might get in that car. That’s probably the hardest thing, and the biggest fear is somebody else getting in your car and doing better than you. A driver will get in that car no matter what the injury and tough it out probably to just not have to go through that and see a ‘what-if?’ scenario play out.”

 

 

 

Joseph Mattioli retiring as CEO of Pocono Raceway

 

In a surprise announcement Friday at Pocono Raceway, Dr. Joseph Mattioli announced he was stepping down as CEO of the racetrack he and his wife, Dr. Rose Mattioli, opened in 1971.

 

How big a surprise was it? Not even the staff at Pocono Raceway knew why Mattioli had scheduled time in the media center, and the track had no press release prepared.

 

“My wife and I felt that it was time that I get the hell out of here,” said Mattioli, 86. “As of today, I’m resigning all my positions here at Pocono Raceway. As of today, my oldest grandson, Brandon (Igdalsky)—he’s already president—he’s going to become president and CEO of Pocono Raceway, and his brother Nicholas (Igdalsky) is going to be COO, and their sister Ashley (Igdalsky) will become secretary/treasurer of the corporation.

 

“I’m going on 87, and nobody lives forever, and I’d better get the hell out of here while the getting’s good.”

 

In a statement released after the announcement, NASCAR chairman and CEO Brian France recognized the Mattiolis’ important role in the growth of stock car racing.

 

“For over four decades, Dr. Joe and Rose Mattioli have been a big part of NASCAR’s success, and their track has created many memories for our teams, drivers and fans,” France said. “As the Mattiolis step away from the day-to-day operations at Pocono, we wish them all the best in retirement and extend our heartfelt gratitude for their many significant contributions to our sport.”