Brad Keselowski’s Best NASCAR Stories You’ve Never Heard
About this episode
Brad Keselowski shares candid insights and lesser-known NASCAR stories, touching on race weekend dynamics, tire issues, and the impact of horsepower changes. He reflects on his podcast habits, friendships in racing, and the challenges of maintaining competitive performance across different tracks and conditions. The conversation also explores the nuances of race strategy, tire wear, and the unpredictability of motorsports, all delivered with Keselowski's characteristic humor and straightforwardness.
It’s a special edition of Dirty Air this week as Brad Keselowski fills in for Dale Earnhardt Jr. while he’s on vacation. He joins co-host TJ Majors to share some stories and break down the action from this past weekend in Phoenix:
- More horsepower equals more stress on tires
- Brad shares a story about young Ryan Blaney at Phoenix
- Getting called to the NASCAR hauler...
- Justin Marks deserves credit for what he saw in SVG
- Who is in points trouble so far in 2026?
- Brad is a big advocate for this new format
- Cleetus McFarland is making us look at NASCAR’s approval process, again...
Plus, a "best-of" edition of Ask Jr.
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Black Diamond
""I'm not like Colorado Black Diamond.""
Black Diamond means a very hard ski trail that only expert skiers should try because it's steep and tricky.
Black Diamond is a skiing term used to describe the most difficult and challenging ski runs, typically steep and for expert skiers only.
Strava
""Do they have like those Stravas or whatever you wear when you ride a bike?""
Strava is an app that helps people keep track of how far and fast they go when they bike or run.
Strava is a popular fitness tracking app used by cyclists, runners, and other athletes to record and share their routes, distances, and performance metrics.
NASCAR
"...I feel like I had a weekly tab at NASCAR. You're like a bar tab..."
NASCAR is a type of car racing where drivers race special cars on oval tracks. It's very popular in the U.S. and has many fans.
NASCAR is a popular American auto racing sanctioning and operating company known for stock car racing events primarily held on oval tracks.
Phoenix race weekend
"Coming off the Phoenix race weekend, a lot happened. It's kind of an action packed race weekend."
Phoenix race weekend is a car race event at a special track called Phoenix Raceway where NASCAR drivers compete.
The Phoenix race weekend refers to a motorsport event held at Phoenix Raceway, a prominent NASCAR track known for its unique one-mile tri-oval layout and night racing.
horsepower
"But do you think that the tire is evolving? No, honestly, I think that horsepower probably played into it. You know, NASCAR gave the more horsepower and it's, you know, depending on what engine ability you're talking to, you know, it's 30 to 50 horsepower."
Horsepower tells you how strong a car's engine is and how fast it can go. More horsepower usually means the car can go faster and accelerate quicker.
Horsepower is a unit of measurement for engine power, indicating how much work an engine can perform over time. It directly affects a car's acceleration and top speed.
blown tires
"We saw a lot of blown tires. And I thought it was interesting, most of them were right fronts."
Blown tires mean the tires got damaged or popped, making the car unsafe to drive.
Blown tires refer to tires that have failed suddenly, often due to excessive stress or damage, causing loss of air pressure and grip.
cup car
""He's never drove a cup car before.""
A 'cup car' is a special race car used in the biggest NASCAR races. It looks like a regular car but is made just for racing, with lots of changes to make it go fast and keep the driver safe.
A 'cup car' refers to a stock car used in NASCAR Cup Series racing, which is the top level of professional stock car racing in the United States. These cars are purpose-built race cars that resemble production models but are highly modified for racing performance and safety.
penalty
"I want to see was exactly four months later, we got a penalty at Texas for the rear end kind of moving on the car."
A penalty is when the race officials punish a driver or team because they did something against the rules.
A penalty in racing is a punishment given to a driver or team for breaking rules, such as technical infractions or unsafe behavior, which can affect race results or championship points.
Cup Series
""I'm not even in the cup series at the time. I'm in the Xfinny series trying to make my way to the cup series.""
The Cup Series is the highest level of NASCAR racing where the best drivers compete in fast cars on oval tracks.
The Cup Series refers to the top level of NASCAR racing, officially known as the NASCAR Cup Series. It is the premier stock car racing series in the United States.
restart
""there's a restart. It's like a restart. He nudges me a little bit, like muscles by me.""
A restart is when the race starts again after a pause, and all the cars line up and speed up together.
A restart in racing occurs when the race resumes after a caution period, with cars lined up and accelerating back to racing speed.
hauler
"So I get a call from NASCAR and they say, hey, Sunday morning, our hauler be there. So I show up to the NASCAR hauler Sunday morning."
A hauler is a big truck that carries race cars and all the stuff the team needs to the race track.
A hauler is a large truck or trailer used to transport race cars, equipment, and crew to and from racing events.
butt ripped
"And I go to the hauler and I'm going to go get my, you know, butt ripped."
Getting your 'butt ripped' means someone is going to tell you off or give you a hard time because you did something wrong.
The phrase 'butt ripped' is slang for getting scolded or harshly reprimanded, often used in competitive or professional contexts.
spin out
"And so what ended up happening is we'd start going to the tests and they would still spin out, but Kurt would spin out and he wouldn't hit anything. And Greg would spin out and he'd hit something."
A spin out is when a car slides and spins around on the track, making the driver lose control. Drivers try not to spin out because it can cause accidents.
A spin out occurs when a vehicle loses traction and rotates uncontrollably, often leading to loss of control on the track. It is a common incident in racing that drivers try to avoid to prevent crashes.
Jack Roush
"And like if Jack Roush was sitting in the room, he'd be like, that's the guy I want. The guy who spins out and when he does, he doesn't hit the wall."
Jack Roush is a famous person who owns a big NASCAR racing team. He helps make race cars and trains drivers to win races.
Jack Roush is a prominent figure in American motorsports, founder of Roush Fenway Racing, a successful NASCAR team. He is known for his expertise in developing competitive race cars and drivers.
playoffs
""But don't worry, when you get in the playoffs, you'll get the good stuff because you were the first car to lock in.""
Playoffs in racing are like the final rounds where only the best drivers compete to win the championship. If you lock in, it means you made it to these important races.
In racing series like NASCAR, the playoffs are a postseason format where drivers compete in a series of elimination races to determine the overall champion. Locking into the playoffs means a driver has qualified for this final competition phase.
downforce
""I got the body with less downforce. I'm 15th in practice. Like I'm probably going to run 10th today if I do everything right.""
Downforce is like the wind pushing the car down to the road so it sticks better when turning. Less downforce means the car might slide more.
Downforce is the aerodynamic force that pushes a car downward onto the track, increasing tire grip and improving cornering speeds. Less downforce means reduced grip and slower lap times.
pit stop
""Like if you had a bad pit stop, like that was your season. That didn't feel right to me.""
A pit stop is a short break during a race where the car gets fuel, new tires, or fixes. If it goes wrong, it can hurt the driver's chance to win.
A pit stop is when a race car pulls into the pit lane during a race for quick service such as refueling, tire changes, or repairs. A bad pit stop can cost valuable time and positions.
game seven moments
""The game seven moments. The game type seven moments, which I respond back by saying, yeah, but that sounded great,""
A game seven moment is like the last and most important game in a sports series where the winner takes all, making it very exciting.
Game seven moments refer to highly dramatic and decisive final contests in a playoff series, often used metaphorically in sports to describe intense, must-win situations.
Talladega
"you know, I've won Talladega six times. Yeah. I don't want to look at a day trophy. Like I want to go to Talladega feeling like I've never won there before"
Talladega is a big race track where NASCAR drivers race really fast. Winning there is a big deal.
Talladega Superspeedway is a famous NASCAR race track known for its high speeds and close racing, making wins there highly prestigious.
Daytona 500
"Like I look at, you know, Daytona 500, like I've been fortunate enough to be a part of that. I want, I feel like I almost want to win it more now again because of that first one."
The Daytona 500 is a very important NASCAR race that many drivers want to win. It's like a big championship race.
The Daytona 500 is one of the most prestigious and famous NASCAR races held annually at Daytona International Speedway. Winning it is a career-defining achievement.
Buick Grand National
"... that call it the Bush series. So it's just like grand national. Yeah."
The Buick Grand National is a fast and powerful car from the 1980s that looks mostly black and is known for going really fast. It was used in special races and is loved by many car fans because it’s strong and cool.
The Buick Grand National is a high-performance version of the Buick Regal from the 1980s, famous for its turbocharged V6 engine and aggressive styling. It earned a cult following for its impressive speed and distinctive black appearance, often associated with racing series like the Bush Grand National. The car is celebrated as an iconic muscle car of its era.
ARCA Menards Series
"Arca really should be thrown into that. Um, as long as it doesn't affect Sundays, I think it's probably fine."
ARCA is a racing series where drivers can gain experience before moving up to bigger NASCAR races.
The ARCA Menards Series is a stock car racing series that often serves as a developmental platform for drivers aiming to compete in NASCAR.
developmental series
"He got approved to run an O'Reilly auto parts series car. Those are supposed to be developmental series."
These are training races where drivers learn and get better before racing in the biggest NASCAR events.
Developmental series are racing leagues designed to help drivers gain experience and skills before competing at the highest levels.
O'Reilly Auto Parts Series
"That was the O'Reilly Auto Part Series. And by the way, if you do really well, the whole cup garage is here watching."
The O'Reilly Auto Parts Series was a NASCAR racing series where drivers could develop their skills before moving up to bigger NASCAR races.
The O'Reilly Auto Parts Series was a NASCAR regional stock car racing series that served as a developmental platform for drivers aspiring to reach higher NASCAR levels like the Cup Series.
Cup ride
"You're going to get a cup ride very quickly."
Getting a 'cup ride' means a driver gets to race in the biggest and most important NASCAR races, which is a big deal for their career.
A 'cup ride' refers to an opportunity for a driver to compete in the NASCAR Cup Series, often seen as the pinnacle of stock car racing careers.
Chrysler Daytona
"... hits the wall in the test, gets approved to run Daytona on the truck race, crashes in the truck race. Yo..."
The Chrysler Daytona is a small, fast car from the 1980s that was made to look cool and go quickly. People used it in some races, including truck races, where it sometimes crashed because it was pushed hard. It’s known for being a sporty car.
The Chrysler Daytona was a sporty compact car produced in the 1980s, known for its aerodynamic design and turbocharged engine options. It gained attention in racing circles, including truck racing events, due to its performance capabilities. Its involvement in crashes and tests highlights its use in competitive motorsports environments.
moonshiner
""It's about Junior Johnson, roughly, loosely. And Junior Johnson's story as a moonshiner and a driver.""
A moonshiner is a person who makes illegal homemade alcohol. Some early race car drivers used to do this before becoming famous racers.
A moonshiner is someone who illegally distills and distributes homemade alcohol, often historically associated with rural areas and sometimes linked to early stock car racing origins. Many early NASCAR drivers, like Junior Johnson, were former moonshiners.
Chevrolet Camaro
"...wster Baker drove was freaking insane cool. That Camaro in the paint scheme on that thing, it was neat as..."
The Chevrolet Camaro is a fast and cool car that lots of people like because it looks sporty and can go really fast. It often has bright and interesting paint colors that make it stand out. People talk about it because it’s fun to drive and looks great.
The Chevrolet Camaro is a classic American muscle car known for its powerful performance and aggressive styling. It has been a popular choice among car enthusiasts and racers, often recognized for its distinctive paint schemes and sporty design. The Camaro's legacy in motorsports and pop culture makes it a frequent topic in automotive discussions.
Ford Thunderbird
"...r street stocks out of the barn. Todd had a Ford Thunderbird, big box, the 83, 84, 34 Thunderbird. First day ..."
The Ford Thunderbird is an older car that was made to be both nice and fun to drive. The ones from the early 1980s look boxy and were used a lot in racing on regular streets. People remember them because they were special back then.
The Ford Thunderbird is a classic American car that has evolved through many generations, known for its blend of luxury and performance. The early 1980s models, like the 1983 and 1984 versions mentioned, are notable for their boxy design and were popular among street stock racers. These cars often serve as nostalgic icons for enthusiasts of that era.
Chevrolet Monte Carlo
"...f that. And I had, uh, me and Kerry had a little Monte Carlo, 78 Monte Carlo. And we pulled them street stock..."
The Chevrolet Monte Carlo is a cool car from the 1970s that looks nice and can go fast. People used it a lot for racing on streets because it handled well. It’s a car many people remember and like.
The Chevrolet Monte Carlo, especially models from the late 1970s like the 1978 version, is a classic coupe known for its stylish design and V8 power. It was popular in stock car racing and street stock events due to its balance of performance and handling. The Monte Carlo holds a special place in American car culture as a versatile and iconic vehicle.
Toyota
""...But I felt like last year, the Toyotas in particular were like lights out fast, like three to four tenths faster than...""
Toyota is a big car company from Japan that makes cars for everyday use and also builds fast cars for racing.
Toyota is a major Japanese automotive manufacturer known for producing reliable road cars and competitive race cars in various motorsports, including NASCAR.
Ford Edge
"... run like 15th the whole time. And he's got that edge right now to where he he hits hit natural right o..."
The Ford Edge is a bigger car that looks like a mix between a car and a truck. It’s easy to drive and good for families because it’s comfortable and has nice features. People like it because it works well every day.
The Ford Edge is a midsize crossover SUV introduced in the late 2000s, known for its comfortable ride, modern technology, and balanced performance. It is often praised for its natural driving feel and versatility, making it a popular choice for families and daily drivers. Its mention in racing contexts may refer to its use in support or promotional roles rather than direct competition.
G-forces
"What's this like? Because you just got out of a race car where, you know, you're pulling like two and a half Gs, like you're sitting."
G-forces are the strong pushes you feel when a car speeds up, slows down, or turns fast. They make your body feel heavy or pushed around.
G-forces are the forces of acceleration that act on a body in motion, measured in multiples of Earth's gravity. In racing, drivers experience high G-forces during acceleration, braking, and cornering, which can be physically demanding.
curbs
"So how was Kota Kota that most trying one so far? Yeah, Kota was definitely the hardest because the curbs, yeah, the curves, the curves so much."
Curbs are the raised edges on the sides of a race track's turns. Drivers sometimes drive over them to go faster, but it can make the car bump and shake.
Curbs are the raised edges on the inside or outside of a race track's corners. Drivers often use them to maintain speed through corners, but they can cause jolts or shocks to the car and driver when driven over aggressively.
blip the gas
"And when you shift a cup car, you like to do this quick movement with your foot where you blip the gas. And it's kind of aggressive and like it puts like a shock through your leg and I can feel those."
Blipping the gas means quickly pressing the gas pedal to make the engine spin faster, which helps when changing gears smoothly.
Blipping the gas is a driving technique where the driver quickly presses and releases the accelerator to raise engine RPMs, usually to match speeds during downshifting. It helps smooth gear changes and prevent drivetrain shock.
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