Brad Keselowski: A Future With or Without Hendrick?

He's not that bad of a driver...but how bad does he want to drive for Rick Hendrick?

When 50 year old Mark Martin announced last June that he wanted to come back and make "one last run" at the now Sprint Cup Championship, it was expected that 25 year old Brad Keselowski, who drives for Hendrick Motorsports driver Dale Earnhardt Jr. in the Nationwide Series, would take over the following year.

Afterall, his star couldn't be much brighter than it is right now.

His run toward a Nationwide championship is also looking strong. Despite struggles during Friday nights Diamond Hill Plywood 200 at Darlington Raceway, Keselowski sits fifth in points, has four top fives, and five top 10s for the season. He also hasn't failed to complete a race this year, and has completely 97 percent of the laps thus far.

And did I mention that in just his fifth ever Cup Series start, the young man from Rochester Hills, Michigan took team owner James Finch to his first victory in the Cup Series?

Starting shotgun on the field thanks to engine problems during practice, Keselowski survived the wreck-fest that was the Aaron's 499. The only lap he lead was the right one: the last one.

However, things are now looking dim for Keselowski's future. He was scheduled to driver part time next year in the No. 5 Kellogg's/Carquest Chevrolet. With Martin recently announcing that he would indeed be running full time in 2010, it begs the question: What's going to happen to Brad Keselowski?

While drivers like Joey Logano, Reed Sorenson, and David Ragan debuted in the Cup Series at 18, 20, and 22 respectively, would holding Keselowski back in the Nationwide Series be a good idea for Hendrick?

Several current Cup drivers have contracts that are up at the end of the year, and what owner wouldn't want to add Keselowski to their roster? With sponsors looking for younger, fresher talent, adding the JR Motorsports driver would be a very good business move.

As the season rolls on and Silly Season gets underway, it will be interesting to see what happens with Brad Keselowski. It could very well be nothing; he could stay in the Nationwide Series another year, moving to Cup in 2011.

Or, could he leave a chance to drive for Hendrick Motorsports to grab a Cup ride sooner than planned?

It all depends on how bad Keselowski wants to drive for 'The Boss'.

Thanks to Racing Reference and Jayski for the stats and information used in this article.