Keselowski takes Chase opener, credibility lead

Keselowski takes Chase opener, credibility lead
JOLIET, Ill. (AP) - Brad Keselowski began the division with a bit of goofiness, announcement on Twitter during a red-flag abeyance at the Daytona 500.
He's catastrophe the year with a far added austere following - for his aboriginal Sprint Cup championship.
Keselowski is off to a accomplished alpha afterwards an absorbing achievement over Jimmie Johnson on Sunday at Chicagoland Speedway. In the aperture chase of the Chase for the Sprint Cup, the 28-year-old Keselowski outlasted Johnson for the aboriginal Chase win of his career. Keselowski aswell took over the advance in the credibility standings for the aboriginal time.
"There's no bigger abode to alpha than in the lead, right?" Keselowski said. "It feels like Annular One of a ample appellation bout. It's a 10-round bout, and Week One's done. We ability accept won the round, but didn't by any agency beating 'em out."
Keselowski and his No. 2 Dodge got advanced of Johnson afterwards a acute pit aeon with about 35 laps actual and led the final 26 laps in the 400-mile race. Johnson accomplished 3.171 abnormal behind, and he said he anticipation Keselowski beyond a abstinent band too aboriginal if departure afterwards that pit stop abreast the end.
The adventure was advised and there was no breach called, and Johnson never fabricated abundant of a run at communicable Keselowski during the final laps.
"He did cut up early. It did impede my progress," Johnson said. "But it didn't affect the outcome, I don't believe. The way he fabricated quick plan in cartage and continued it out on me, I'm not abiding I would accept captivated him off. At the time it messed me up, but I don't anticipate it played an aftereffect in the race."
All 12 of the Chase drivers accomplished in the top 18, with the barring of Jeff Gordon, who went into the bank with about 80 laps remaining. Gordon almost able for the Chase to activate with, and his championship hopes are already in austere accident afterwards his 35th-place assuming Sunday.
It was Keselowski's fourth achievement of the season. The Michigan disciplinarian leads Johnson by three credibility - and gave Penske Racing a acumen to feel acceptable afterwards Will Power's bootless bid for the IndyCar championship Saturday night in California.
"It's a abundant day for us," buyer Roger Penske said. "It cools me down a little bit afterwards getting hot endure night."