Brad Keselowski's stock is clearly on the rise. So what does the NASCAR Nationwide Series' most recent winner do on the Tuesday after his momentous victory at Bristol Motor Speedway? How about hang out at Toledo Speedway.

Actually, there was a little more involved than just hanging out. Keselowski, currently second in NASCAR Nationwide Series points, spent all day at Toledo Speedway Tuesday testing two Nationwide Series cars for Hendrick Motorsports.

"I wanted to come here and get back to a track I knew really well," said Keselowski, who raced in late model competition at Toledo several times over the years.

"Our short track program was probably one of our weakest links. I had been wanting to try some things to see if I what I was thinking was right. When we had our meeting, and they asked me where I wanted to do this test, I said Toledo."

Keselowski spent much of the day testing the no. 88 NAVY-sponsored Nationwide Series car while teammate Landon Cassill tested the no. 5 National Guard Nationwide Series car.

Toledo ended up being a wise choice for Cassill as well.

cassillcandidtoledo08.jpg"I raced a CRA car here and an ASA car, so I think one of the biggest reasons we came here to test was that we both had laps here," said Cassill, who is expected to enter the ARCA RE/MAX Series race at Talladega Superspeedway in early October. "When we had our meeting, Toledo was a logical choice for both of us because we've both raced here and we know what the car needs."

Renowned NASCAR crew chief Tony Eury, who is Keselowski's Nationwide Series crew chief, was also on hand for the test, which served to gather information for the upcoming Nationwide Series event at Richmond.

Keselowski's car owner in Nationwide Series competition is Dale Earnhardt, Jr., who Eury worked with as crew chief in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series for several years. Naturally, the question came up - how did you get your opportunity to drive for Earnhardt?

"Sequence of events," said Keselowski. "I think Dale the owner and Brad the driver were in the same spot - looking for each other. He wanted a driver that understood the sport, how it all works, someone that was going to keep it all in one piece, consistency and not run him broke in the process.

"I was looking for an owner that had funding, sponsors and a level of consistency and commitment that could keep me employed."

Keselowski's ties with the ARCA sanction go way back, not only at Toledo Speedway, but in the ARCA RE/MAX Series as well. Keselowski's father Bob Keselowski won the late model track championship at Toledo before going on to become the 1989 ARCA RE/MAX Series national driving champion. Brad's brother Brian, following in his father's footsteps, also won the late model track championship at Toledo 20 years after his father did it.kezcassillcarstoledo.jpg Brian is also a three-time ARCA RE/MAX Series winner with victories at Berlin and Salem.

Bob Keselowski won 24 ARCA RE/MAX Series events over the years including two at the DuQuoin State Fairgrounds mile-dirt, the next event on the ARCA RE/MAX Series tour (Labor Day Monday, September 1st).

"I actually remember going to DuQuoin and Springfield with my mom and dad," said Brad Keselowski. "I loved those races. I like the idea that the ARCA RE/MAX Series still races on the dirt. I think it's cool. From what I remember, it presents its own set of challenges - mainly visibility, but it's very cool."

It also must be cool to meet with Dale Earnhardt, Jr. every week to discuss whatever it is they discuss.

"We usually meet about twice a week," added Brad, who lives on Earnhardt's property in Mooresville, North Carolina. "Sometimes we talk about racing, sometimes not. We usually see each other at the track or wherever our paths meet."

One would think that success in the one of NASCAR's top-tier divisions comes with its share of stress, or does it?

kezclimbsout08.jpg"Well, there's a lot of pressure off my shoulders after our first win (Nashville Superspeedway), but you always add to it. After that first win, now you need two; and after that - three. Now, you need to win a championship.

"But stress, pressure is what you let it be. It's all about balance. If you let it eat you alive, it will. But you can't run or hide from it, and how we behave here is not only a reflection of ourselves, but of the company. I think if there's any stress here it's that we have a huge responsibility to the teams we race for, and we must meet that responsibility."

One would also think that driving for Earnhardt, Jr., winning at Bristol and being second in NASCAR Nationwide Series points would bring a level of notoriety and fame.

"I really haven't noticed much of any difference between now and when I was racing at the local level. I think I have the perfect amount of fame where no one really notices you but just enough to make some money. Although I did notice that my name was on a sandwich at the Toledo Speedway Bar & Grille, but that might have been for my dad; I don't know."