Brad Keselowski is the defending Sprint Cup champion in NASCAR, but that doesn't mean he is above getting a call to the bosses office after making some comments in the media.
According to ESPN.com, Keselowski met with NASCAR chairman Brian France and International Speedway Corporation chairman Lesa France Kennedy last week after making some comments in the media about generating revenue within the sport.
"Everybody loves Brad's candor, Brian included,'' Brett Jewkes, NASCAR's chief communications officer, said on Saturday according to ESPN.com. "But there are some things Brad's not as informed on. He's not aware of things that are being worked on or achieved. The message Brian wanted to send was you need to understand the issues you're talking about a little deeper before you talk about them.''
Keselowski was not penalized for his comments and he did not make any comments publicly about the meeting except on Twitter.
"Spent some time with the Lesa and Brian from the NASCAR team after yesterday's [USA Today] article, the passion we all share for our sport is amazing!" Keselowski wrote.
Jewkes added that the meeting was not just about the USA Today article, although he did not specify what the driver said that merited a visit to France's office, which is located across the street from the Daytona International Speedway. The comments Keselowski originally made included mention of France and his sister regarding sponsors, teams and tracks working together with NASCAR, or lack thereof.
"And until all three of those can unite, we're a house divided, and we're making bad decisions that are affecting how to generate revenue for the sport,'' Keselowski said in the newspaper.
Keselowski is a young driver and he is known as one of the most outspoken athletes in the sport, which is one reason why he was fined $25,000 in 2011 for criticizing NASCAR and their decision to move to fuel injection. He also was fined last year during a stoppage at Phoenix when he tweeted from his car.
"Brad has been asking for more dialogue with Brian,'' Jewkes said. "He wants to be a leader in the garage. Frankly, Brian wants more dialogue with him. [Friday], there was a good reason to have dialogue.''
Some drivers have spoken about Keselowski's candor with the media, including Tony Stewart and Jeff Gordon, who said that he could see why NASCAR would want the driver to be more informed.
"Hopefully, that won't bite him like it has a lot of drivers in the past,'' Stewart said of Keselowski being outspoken. "It's refreshing. It's nice to see somebody who just speaks from the heart and isn't guarded, and that's the way all of us should be.
Jewkes added that the meeting was not held to try and silence Keselowski from saying what is on his mind.
"The most important thing is Brian wants him to be candid,'' Jewkes said of Keselowski. "He wants him to speak his mind. But we all prefer he be up to speed on everything.''
