Brad Keselowski wins 2012 Sprint Cup Championship
Published at(HOMESTEAD, Fla.) — Brad Keselowski captured his first-career Sprint Cup championship on Sunday. Coming into the race, the 28-year-old had to finish 15th or better up 20 points on Jimmie Johnson.
Johnson pulled out of the season finale because of a parts failure down the stretch on turns 3 and 4, which sealed the deal for Keselowski. The championship is also the first for longtime NASCAR owner Roger Penske.
“This isn’t a one man effort, it’s about these guys (his crew),” said a humbled Keselowski in victory lane. “We were not as fast as we wanted to be, my guys just did a great job all year long.”
“It’s been a great season,” said Penske. “Not one failure all year long in that Dodge engine.”
Johnson’s run at a sixth Sprint Cup championship ended with 40 laps to go after he broke a rear end gear in his Chevrolet.
“Pretty heartbreaking,” said Johnson. “We were doing what we needed to and certainly in position to put a lot pressure on that No. 2 car, but that’s racing, stuff happens.”
Jeff Gordon won the race and was followed by Clint Bowyer after their altercation last weekend at Phoenix.
Copyright 2012 ABC News Radio