On Wednesday, Brad Keselowski, shared the news of his father — Bob Keselowski — passing away at the age of 70 after a two year battle with cancer.
In a tweet and blog post at 11:09 AM ET, Keselowski wrote, “My dad will always be my hero. He was quiet and understated, but that didn’t change the impact he had on me or that I watched him have on everyone who knew him. I am forever grateful for what I learned from this man, and I will remember him every day.”
My dad will always be my hero. He was quiet and understated, but that didn’t change the impact he had on me or that I watched him have on everyone who knew him. I am forever grateful for what I learned from this man, and I will remember him every day. https://t.co/NiG822YfpD pic.twitter.com/eUZWkPtUEG
— Brad Keselowski (@keselowski) December 22, 2021
NASCAR has issued a statement on the passing of Bob Keselowski:
“Bob Keselowski was a true racer whose determination and love of the sport embodied the NASCAR and ARCA spirit. He worked tirelessly to build his family-owned team, doing whatever it took to compete. Our thoughts are with the Keselowski family during this difficult time.”
Bob Keselowski, was a former ARCA Menards Series champion (1989) and he amassed 24 victories in ARCA Menards Series competition over a 12-year stint in the series.
Keselowski would make one NASCAR Cup Series start in his career. That start came in the 1994 UAW-GM Teamwork 500 at Pocono Raceway. Keselowski started 42nd in the No. 52 Means Racing Ford, and would finish 41st after the engine expired on lap 17.
In 1995, Keselowski moved to the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series as one of the original drivers in the inaugural season.
Keselowski would remain a staple in the series as a driver from 1995 until 1999. Keselowski scored one victory in NASCAR Truck Series competition. That win came at Richmond Raceway in September of 1997. Keselowski led 82 of the 200 laps in that event en route to victory.
Keselowski remained in the Truck Series as a team owner after stepping away as a driver. His trucks scored eight wins between 1999 and 2002 with Dennis Setzer and Terry Cook behind the wheel.
Keselowski would keep the team going into the mid-2000’s and he would help launch the career of his son Brad Keselowski.
Keselowski would also field a part-time NASCAR Cup Series entry, which Brian Keselowski would utilize in 2011 to make it into the Daytona 500 field.
In recent years, Bob and Brian Keselowski have teamed together to wrench a Dodge Charger NASCAR stock car and have made several speed runs on the Utah Salt Flats.
It was Brian Keselowski who shared the news days ago that his father was ailing and nearing the end of his, “amazing, fast paced,” life.
In a Tweet on December 18th, Brian Keselowski stated, “It is with profound sadness and a broken heart to inform everyone that my dad, Bob Keselowski is nearing the end of his amazing, fast paced life. He has battled Cancer for the past 2 years and he fought the good fight as hard as he could. Unfortunately, there isn’t much more fight left so my family and I are preparing ourselves and making sure dad is not in any pain until his time comes. Please say a prayer and keep us in your thoughts during this very difficult time.”
Here is the actual tweet from Keselowski:
@keselowski @KeselowskiBrian @Paigekeselowski @InfieldJen @dnicholas @3210Kath @Ginger48348 pic.twitter.com/5lrEiywzFV
— Brian Keselowski (@KeselowskiBrian) December 19, 2021
Keep the entire Keselowski family in your thoughts during this extremely difficult time.