Bob Keselowski, Former NASCAR Driver and Father Of Brad Keselowski, Dead At 70

Brad Keselowski/Instagram

Bob Keselowski, a legendary ARCA racer and NASCAR Camping World Truck Series driver, died Wednesday (December 22) after a lengthy battle with cancer. He was 70.

Keselowski’s son Brad, a 2012 NASCAR Cup Series Champion himself, announced his father’s death on social media saying, “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.”

The touching words were accompanied by a series of photos of Bob and his family during his racing career.

 

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A statement issued by NASCAR honored Bob Keselowski as a “true racer” who worked tirelessly.

“Bob Keselowski was a true racer whose determination and love of the sport embodied the NASCAR and ARCA spirit,” read a statement by NASCAR. “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.”

NASCAR: “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 Pockrass (@bobpockrass) December 22, 2021

Bob became a successful driver in the ARCA (Automobile Racing Club of America) Menards Series, a premier American stock car series. He joined the circuit full-time in 1986 where he won 24 races and earned the title of series champion in 1989.

In 1995, Bob Keselowski became one of the original drivers in the first-ever season for NASCAR’s Truck Series. He competed in that series for five seasons, and in 1997 earned the only truck series victory of his career. He then took on the role of team owner where he helped launch the careers of his sons, Brad and Brian.

Bob Keselowski is survived by his wife, Kay, and their five children: Brad, Brian, Ginger, Kathy and Dawn.