Brad Keselowski has spoken out about his controversial decision not to block Ricky Stenhouse Jr. during the NASCAR Cup Series race at Talladega Superspeedway.
The Incident
With 22 laps remaining, Keselowski found himself in a precarious position, sandwiched between Stenhouse and the wall. Instead of blocking Stenhouse, Keselowski chose to yield, allowing Stenhouse to pass.
Keselowski’s Explanation
“I did what I felt like I needed to do,” Keselowski said in a post-race interview.
“When you’re in that situation, you’ve got to make a split-second decision. I didn’t want to risk wrecking myself or others.”
Keselowski’s Strategy
Keselowski’s decision was likely influenced by his championship aspirations:
“I’m thinking about the bigger picture. I’ve got to make it to the next round.”
Blocking vs. Racing
The incident sparked debate among NASCAR fans and pundits:
“Blocking is part of racing,” argued analyst Larry McReynolds.
However, Keselowski’s teammate, Joey Logano, supported his decision:
“Brad made the right call. You can’t block everyone.”
Stenhouse’s Reaction
Stenhouse, who went on to finish second, appreciated Keselowski’s decision:
“Brad could’ve blocked me, but he chose not to. That’s just good racing.”
Keselowski’s decision not to block Stenhouse has ignited a discussion about the ethics of blocking in NASCAR.
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