KESELOWSKI CALLS SHOT AT RICHMOND

Brad Keselowski entered NASCAR’S playoffs certain he has as good a chance at the Cup championship as favorites Kevin Harvick and Denny Hamlin.

He even predicted he’d win at Richmond Raceway.

His confidence was correct as Keselowski indeed won Saturday night at Richmond, the second playoff race, and advanced into the next round.

Harvick, the title favorite, won last week’s opener to earn the automatic berth into the second round.

Hamlin, derailed at his home track of Richmond by a speeding penalty, finished 12th but still advanced into the next round based on points.

Keselowski was the only driver able to run with Harvick and Hamlin when racing resumed in May following a pause for the pandemic. He won three races, earned a contract extension at Team Penske and steadfastly maintained he should not be discounted in the title race.

He didn’t do a celebratory burnout after making good on his Richmond prediction because that specific No. 2 Ford has now won twice this year and Keselowski wants it intact for the championship-deciding finale at Phoenix.

“I don’t want to look too far ahead, the next round is going to be really difficult, but still I am really pumped about this performance,” said.

“We’ve got to get (to the finale). The last few years I haven’t made it all the way. But if we can get to Phoenix, we’re going to be really good.”

Elsewhere

Keselowski

Will Power scored his first win of the season in a 1-2 finish for Team Penske on Saturday in the first race of a doubleheader at Mid-ohio Sports Car Course in Lexington, Ohio.

Power beat teammate Josef Newgarden, the reigning Indycar champion, by more than 7 seconds in winning from the pole.

Power earned his 60th career pole earlier Saturday and trails only Mario Andretti (67) for the Indycar record.

Justin Allgaier didn’t panic when a late caution made a more-than 9-second lead evaporate. The way he figured, he’d pulled away once and could do it again.

Allgaier grabbed control again on a restart with 13 laps to go to complete a sweep of a NASCAR Xfinity series doubleheader weekend at Richmond Raceway on Saturday.

Lewis Hamilton took pole position for the Tuscan Grand Prix on Saturday ahead of his Mercedes teammate Valtteri Bottas, whose final attempt was ended after he had to slow down because Esteban Ocon spun on track just ahead of him.

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