THE LINE

October 3, 2012

(Dodge)
Brad Keselowski (No. 2 Penske Racing Miller Lite Dodge) is determined to make the 2012 Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup championship interesting. The 28-year-old driver from Rochester, Michigan, won the AAA 400 at Dover International Speedway Sunday to take a five-point lead over Jimmie Johnson (No. 48 Hendrick Motorsports Lowe's/Kobalt Tools Chevrolet), who finished fourth, headed to Talladega Superspeedway next Sunday. It was Keselowski's fifth win of the season and second over the last three weeks. The Penske Racing engine shop has clearly come up with a way to squeeze extra mileage out of their V8s, and that combined with shrewd race strategy - and Keselowski's superb driving - has propelled the team to the top. Jeff Gordon (No. 24 Hendrick Motorsports Drive to End Hunger Chevrolet) finished second and Mark Martin (No. 55 Michael Waltrip Racing Aaron's 2000th Store/Bronx, N.Y. Toyota) was third. Kyle Busch (No. 18 Joe Gibbs Racing Interstate Batteries Toyota) led a race-high 302 laps until he had to back-off due to fuel mileage issues. he ended up a very unhappy seventh. ''By no means, do I feel like we're the favorite,'' Keselowski said. ''Certainly, we're not the underdog.'' ''He didn't make a mistake. We didn't lose any time on the track,'' team owner Roger Penske added. ''He's doing a terrific job and I love the position we're in.''

Editor-in-Chief's Note: We lost a great one with Chris Economaki's passing last week. After reading all of the tributes and seeing all of the video highlights of the man's career over the decades, I'm absolutely certain that there will never be anyone like him again. Few people get to make their mark on history like Chris Economaki was able to do. He set the tone and the standard and he ultimately defined a profession for generations to come. I was a National Speed Sport News subscriber for many, many years, and Chris's column was the be-all and end-all of the racing world. You always felt after reading it that you not only knew what was going on, you understood why it was going on as well. I've included A.J. Morning's (our east coast-based motorsport correspondent) comments below as well. - PMD

Remembering Chris Economaki.

By A.J. Morning

Springfield, VA. Everybody who's been around racing for a while has a Chris Economaki story. With his passing announced today, I remember...

I had the pleasure and the privilege of spending race day afternoon at Petit Le Mans with Mr. Economaki, five years ago. Not just a few minutes, but a few hours. As we sat and talked, he would occasionally ask me some questions - about the track, about the series, and I noticed as I was answering, he was taking notes.

Then it hit me: I'm the motorsports journalist covering the race for the 6th or 7th time, and Chris Economaki is the one taking notes on our conversation? (Serously, WHAT THE...?) Later, when he got tired and wanted to get going, we walked back out to his cart (see pic) and we sat for about 20 minutes or so, just talking about racing. Then he fired up the cart, drove over the curb, and rode the damn thing through the woods to get back to the exit - just like Mr. Magoo.

He was very pleasant, but pulled no punches. He wasn't the least bit shy about calling bullshit where he saw it. I appreciate that lesson, and will always.

Editor-in-Chief's Note: Check out Michelin's racing website - "Michelin Alley" - and get in on all of the behind-the-scenes buzz. Go here. - PMD

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