Brad Keselowski Spins Early at Bristol After Ricky Stenhouse Jr. Contact

The first caution of Sunday’s Food City 500 came almost immediately — and it involved a big name.

Brad Keselowski was spun in Turn 2 on Lap 62 but continued in the race at Bristol Motor Speedway after contact from Ricky Stenhouse Jr., bringing out the race’s first yellow flag just laps into the event.

Keselowski was able to continue after the incident, though the early spin cost him valuable track position.

Radio chatter from Keselowski’s team captured the moment before it unfolded.

“TJ Majors to Keselowski: ‘Bumper, bumper, bumper, bumper, he’s just gonna wreck you here…’”

Seconds later, the contact came.

“Yeah, he just wrecked you.”

Keselowski Caught in Early Incident

Trackside reports confirmed Stenhouse made contact with the rear of Keselowski’s No. 6 Ford entering Turn 2, sending him around and halting the race.

“Stenhouse got into Keselowski and the 6 goes around off Turn 2… bringing out the first caution,” one update noted.

Another added: “Caution! Brad Keselowski spins in Turn 2 after Ricky Stenhouse Jr. got into him.”

The incident immediately put Keselowski behind at one of the most difficult tracks on the NASCAR schedule to recover.

Why This Changes the Race Early

Even without being knocked out, the early setback puts Keselowski in a difficult position at a track where passing is limited.

Bristol is notoriously unforgiving when it comes to track position.

With tight confines, constant traffic, and limited passing lanes, drivers who fall back early often struggle to regain ground without strategy breaks or additional cautions.

Even if Keselowski’s car avoids major damage, the loss of position alone presents a significant challenge over 500 laps.

Stenhouse’s Aggression Already a Factor

The contact will likely draw attention as the race unfolds.

Stenhouse has built a reputation as an aggressive driver — particularly on short tracks — and early incidents like this can quickly escalate tensions, especially if drivers cross paths again later in the race.

Given Bristol’s history, it wouldn’t be surprising if this moment carries over into the later stages.

Early Caution Sets the Tone

If the opening laps are any indication, the Food City 500 could turn into a typical Bristol battle.

Contact, chaos, and quick cautions are part of the track’s identity — and it took only a handful of laps for all three to appear.

For Keselowski, the focus now shifts to damage control.

For the rest of the field, the message is already clear: nothing will come easy today.

Like Heavy Sports’s content? Be sure to follow us.

This article was originally published on Heavy Sports

The post Brad Keselowski Spins Early at Bristol After Ricky Stenhouse Jr. Contact appeared first on Heavy Sports.