MOORESVILLE, N.C., Nov. 19, 2012 /PRNewswire/ --Penske Racing driver and newly-crowned 2012 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series champion Brad Keselowski will appear Thursday in America's Thanksgiving Parade® on the streets of downtown Detroit, Mich.
The 28-year-old Keselowski, a native of Rochester Hills, Mich., became the first Penske Racing driver to win the title in NASCAR's premiere series on Sunday in the series season finale at Homestead-Miami Speedway. Driving the No. 2 Miller Lite Dodge Charger to the championship for team owner Roger Penske, a resident of Birmingham, Mich., Keselowski also became the first Michigan-born driver to win the Cup Series crown.
On Thanksgiving Day, Keselowski will celebrate the championship by riding in America's Thanksgiving Parade® down Woodward Avenue, an 86-year-old tradition in Detroit.
"Growing up in Michigan for years it was a tradition in our house to wake up Thanksgiving morning and watch America's Thanksgiving Parade in Detroit," said Keselowski, who earned five wins this season en route to the title. "It will be my honor to be a part of the parade this Thanksgiving and represent Penske Racing, my team and our sponsors as the 2012 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series champion. This is a great opportunity for me, especially considering my roots in Michigan and all that Detroit means to me and my boss, Roger Penske."
"This is an amazing moment for Detroit and our entire community as we welcome Penske Racing driver and newly-crowned local hero 2012 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series champion Brad Keselowski to America's Thanksgiving Parade," said Tony Michaels, President & CEO of The Parade Company. "We are incredibly grateful to Roger Penske for his commitment to our city and for sharing this remarkable moment with all of Detroit on Thanksgiving morning."
America's Thanksgiving Parade®, an 86-year tradition produced by The Parade Company, steps-off at Woodward Avenue and Mack on Thanksgiving at 9:05 a.m. Recently recognized as one of the best Thanksgiving parades in the country by U.S. News & World Report Travel, America's Thanksgiving Parade® marches by some of Detroit's most notable landmarks including the Fox Theatre, Comerica Park and the M@dison Building.
The two-hour parade will be featured on WDIV-TV Local 4, including a one-hour national broadcast reaching more than 140 major cities across the country. News/Talk 760 WJR will also broadcast live from the event.
About Penske Racing
Penske Racing is one of the most successful teams in the history of professional sports. Competing in a variety of disciplines, cars owned and prepared by Penske Racing have produced 364 major race wins, 423 pole positions and 24 National Championships. For more information about Penske Racing, please visit www.penskeracing.com.
About The Parade Company
Founded in 1984, The Parade Company is a not-for-profit organization governed by the Michigan Thanksgiving Parade Foundation whose board of directors is comprised of key civic and corporate leaders in the greater Detroit region. The Parade Company is celebrating 86 years of Parade tradition in Detroit, which is broadcasted to over 140 markets and cities nationwide. The mission is to fund, create and execute the best family events in metro Detroit. The Parade Company staff, the board of directors and thousands of parade volunteers work year-round to bring a wide variety of magnificent events to the City of Detroit, each year, including the Target Fireworks, Fifth Third Turkey Trot and America's Thanksgiving Parade®. Visit www.theparade.org and follow us on Facebook and Twitter.
SOURCE Penske Racing
