KESELOWSKI CHARGES TO 2012 NASCAR SPRINT CUP SERIES CROWN;
JEFF GORDON WINS FORD ECOBOOST 400
Driver of No. 2 Miller Lite Dodge wins title in just third full season, giving motorsports
icon Roger Penske his first-ever NASCAR Sprint Cup Series owner’s championship
MIAMI
– Brad Keselowski was crowned the 2012 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series
Champion this evening at Homestead-Miami Speedway. His 15th-place
finish
in Sunday’s Ford EcoBoost 400 was enough to wrap up the title.
Keselowski’s
championship came in his 125th start, the fewest since Jeff Gordon
captured his first of four titles in 1995 in 93 starts.
Clint
Bowyer ends the year as the runner-up and Jimmie Johnson finishes
third. Bowyer, who is finishing his first season with Michael Waltrip
Racing, was the race runner-up.
“It feels really good,” said Keselowski. “I can’t believe how everything just came together.”
The
season championship by Keselowski gives longtime team owner Roger
Penske his first owner’s championship
in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series. Penske Racing, which began running
NASCAR Sprint Cup Series races in 1972, ended the longest
non-championship streak among current ownership. Penske’s best previous
finish in championship standings was second in 1993 with
Rusty Wallace.
“It wasn’t easy; we didn’t just line up and run,” said Penske. “It’s something I can’t hardly believe.”
While Keselowski claimed the season title, Gordon takes home the winner’s trophy in the Ford EcoBoost 400. The win, Gordon’s 87th
in the NASCAR
Sprint Cup Series, gives Hendrick Motorsports its first victory at
Homestead-Miami Speedway in 52 starts. The win marks Gordon’s second
win and 18th top-10 finish of the year.
“To be able to celebrate in Victory Lane with [my Hendrick Motorsports teammates] was very special and meaningful,” said Gordon.
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