OPINION

By Jim Pedley

updated 10:25 a.m. ET Nov. 18, 2009

Brad Keselowski is not just a driver. For NASCAR, he is also a dilemma.

Keselowski appears to be one of the most talented stock car drivers to come along in years.

The 25-year-old from Michigan has become something of a sensation. Yes, it's largely because of his association with Dale Earnhardt Jr.'s Nationwide team, but also because his driving skills.

Keselowski could edge Carl Edwards for second place in the Nationwide standings in this weekend's season-finale at Homestead-Miami Speedway. That would be no easy task for anybody.

He has started 16 Cup races in his career, 14 this season. His skills obviously caught the attention of Roger Penske, who signed Keselowski to drive full-time for him next season in Cup.

Keselowski also has a victory on the Cup side this season. The way he won at Talladega in the spring is the crux of the Keselowski dilemma for NASCAR.

Keselowski sent Edwards' car flying into the catch fence on the final lap. It was a scary moment, especially if you were in the grandstands behind the fence -- or if you were in the NASCAR board room the following week wondering what would have happened to your investment had the fence not held.

The Talladega incident was only the most visible example of Keselowski's aggressive driving. He has used his car as a hammer a boatload of times this year. Far from repentant afterward, he has smirked and let the world know that he is, and will continue to be, aggressive in his pursuit of what he wants on the race track.

There lies NASCAR's dilemma. The series wants and needs drivers with personality. It wants and needs talented, hard-nosed racers to wake up a fan base that some say is slipping toward slumber.

Keselowski's war of bumpers and words has added spice to a sleepy end of the season. Or has he added flippant, dangerous rancor?

That will be NASCAR's decision, and it won't be an easy one.

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Keselowski was reportedly "invited" to the NASCAR hauler to chat with officials after last Saturday's race at Phoenix International Raceway. Afterward, Sprint Cup series director John Darby kind of brushed the chat away, saying NASCAR has held similar meetings with other drivers over the years, and that Keselowski was just being an impish scamp with his driving tactics.

That is, Darby sat firmly on the center of the fence in the dilemma. And that tells you just how real the dilemma is.

Jim Pedley is managing editor of Racin' Today. Read more NASCAR news at racintoday.com.

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