What Could a 2nd Title Do for Brad Keselowski's Legacy?

When it comes to Brad Keselowski's career, it's all been a matter of great fortune mixed with great talent. It's almost impossible to think that at one point, as recently as 2007, he was in subpar equipment and struggling to post results and catch a break.

That break came in the summer of 2007, when he subbed for driver Ted Musgrave in the Camping World Truck Series for one race, after Musgrave was parked for aggressive behavior stemming from an incident with Kelly Bires.

Not only did Keselowski perform well in the race, he almost won after leading the most laps. That was enough to put him in a higher-quality Nationwide seat with JR Motorsports to finish out the season. The rest, as they say, is history.

In the years since, Keselowski has brought a Nationwide Series championship and a Sprint Cup championship since 2010.

But while the Nationwide Series title was a given (Keselowski has become one of the more prolific drivers in the Nationwide Series) his Sprint Cup title in 2012 was enough to shock everyone. He had a horrible 2010 and lucked into a Wild Card spot in the Chase field in 2011.

Following this was his successful 2012 campaign.

What made that campaign so surprising was that he wasn't a Jimmie Johnson type or a Tony Stewart type. He piloted a Dodge instead of a Toyota or a Chevy or a Ford. He was in his third full season, yet he managed to best everyone else to win his first Cup championship.

Now, in 2014, he is poised to win his second title in three seasons driving the No. 2 for Roger Penske.

Keselowski's Miller Lite Ford has been one of the strongest teams in 2014, posting five wins after 27 events along with 12 top-fives and 14 top-10s.

Qualifying hasn't been an issue for Keselowski either; five poles going into Sunday show that the Penske Fords have got their act together this year. 

Nam Y. Huh/Associated Press

Keselowski has been on a roll, winning the last two Sprint Cup races including last Sunday's Chase opener at Chicago after a thrilling three-wide pass of Kevin Harvick and Kyle Larson. Because of similar performances this season we now see Keselowski as dominant instead of a brilliant strategist. 

Not to knock Keselowski's driving talent or anything, but until 2014 rolled around it seemed that Keselowski's success was a matter of being in the right place at the right time.

Remember Charlotte, October 2013? Talladega, May 2012? What about Kansas, June 2011? Those are just three examples where Keselowski wasn't even deemed a threat for the win until the final laps.

Now, it's as if the Keselowski we see dominating the Nationwide Series and the Sprint Cup Series are one and the same. He's starting up front, leading or running at the front, and finishing strong. That's what it takes to win championships in NASCAR. If there is any doubt, just look at six-time champion Johnson.

If Keselowski wins the 2014 Sprint Cup championship, it will be the dawn of a new era for NASCAR. Instead of the clean-cut Johnson being the face of the company, we'll have the rugged, outspoken Keselowski holding down the spot as NASCAR's new poster child.

In due time, if Keselowski keeps this up, those early struggles in his career will become nothing more than a memory. He will solidify his standing as a NASCAR legend.

Follow Joseph on Twitter: @Shelton500.