Kez, crew enjoy beer glass intrigue

LAS VEGAS

As Brad Keselowski beamed moments after his first NASCAR Sprint Cup championship at Homestead-Miami Speedway, it wasn’t just his accomplishment that stoked the afterglow.

CELEBRATION TIME

NASCAR's top Sprint Cup drivers lit up Las Vegas.

No, it was the amber liquid from sponsor Miller Lite that fueled the celebration with the now infamous schooner referred to by the champion as “The Big Beer Glass.”

So where is the glass that became one with the champ?

“I don’t know,” Keselowski said Thursday. “I really don’t. It should have a Twitter account: @Bradsglass. But no, I don’t know where it is. I will find it as soon as I get free time to do so. It seems like everything these days takes on a life of its own. I have a @Bradsankle, @Bradscellphone — why not @Bradsglass?

“We’ve had fun. It’s been a great experience. I’m just enjoying it. But they took the glass from me — David Hovis (Keselowski’s public relations representative) took it from me (at Homestead). He got booed by the crowd when he took my glass. That was the highlight of my night.”

Team owner Roger Penske wasn’t sure of the glass’ whereabouts, but he had distinct plans for the keepsake — and those don’t include being on the champion’s table Friday night.

“I don’t know where it is, but I know one thing, we want to make it a special gift for one of our employees,” Penske said. “I haven’t signed it yet. He probably won’t show it to me. I’ll want to keep it.”

PARTY TIME

Go along for the ride as Brad Keselowski celebrates being champ.

Keselowski’s pilot and spotter Joey Meier insists the schooner is on the plane. That, however, appears to be a replica. Meier said employees at MillerCoors signed a glass on Monday when Keselowski stopped to visit his sponsor on the way to Las Vegas.

Although Keselowski’s souvenir team hopes to work out a deal by which “Brad’s Glass” will appear on a trailer near you in time for Speedweeks, the brewery that has sponsored Penske Racing’s Sprint Cup effort since 1991 has a deal in which a lucky fan can bid on the “Miller Time Sprint Cup Championship Glass” on eBay.

Proceeds from the auction of this commemorative pilsner glass signed by Keselowski, Penske and the No. 2 Brew Crew will be donated to Brad’s Checkered Flag Foundation to benefit the families of military and first responders. For more information on the auction, visit the site at eBay.

As for the original vessel that ignited the past 12 days and nights of Miller Time? According to Hovis, “Brad’s Glass” is tucked away safely at Brad Keselowski Racing in North Carolina.