Keselowski feels comfortable being himself

Brad Keselowski, the newly crowned NASCAR Sprint Cup champion, marches to his own drummer and he continues to be comfortable with his style of life. And he’s a strong proponent of using social media, gaining worldwide attention during last year’s Daytona 500 when he tweeted a photo of the burning race car during a red flag for the carnage involving the jet dryer.

The champion’s personality was on full display during media day at the Daytona International Speedway, a day before on-track proceedings are started on the legendary track.

“I do a lot of stuff on social media, and I get a lot of suggestions,” he said. “If I can feel good about it, I feel like others will like it. When that moment at Daytona happened, I just did it, and I was amazed with how well it was received. You can’t plan those things, but you can put yourself into position to showcase your ideas and show who you are. Social media has developed into my persona. I enjoy it more than the fans do, being a little bit selfish in nature. But whatever you do with social media has to be relevant and funny.”

About being champion, he added, “I am going to do my own thing and be my own person, looking out for the best interest of the sport like I have always done.”

Since he did not win a pole position in 2012, he did not qualify for this weekend’s Sprint Unlimited. “I am disappointed not to be in the Unlimited as it somewhat limits your ability to win the Daytona 500, but this is not t-ball, as not everyone gets to play,” he noted. “If you don’t earn your spot, you don’t play. We spent our time and energy working on what we could do to win a championship. If I have to choose between the Unlimited and the championship, I would take Championship 100 out of 100 times.”

One of his more publicized likes is to own a tank but he has found out that tanks are expensive to buy. “It would be cool; a man should own a tank and put it in his driveway.”

Keselowski is a breath of fresh air, and is never at a loss for words and has a style and flair that endears him to the fans and media.