Junior To Keselowski: Shut Up And Drive

Earnhardt: "I take offense to the claims."

Brad Keselowski said this week that Hendrick Motorsports is more willing to play in the gray area of the NASCAR rulebook than his Penske Racing team, taking chances and risking penalties in areas that other teams are unwilling to explore.

Dale Earnhardt Jr. rode to his team’s defense today, telling reporters that Keselowski should talk less and drive more.

"I don't particularly like the things he says lately about the company I drive for,” said Earnhardt at Bristol Motor Speedway. “So I take offense to the claims and the accusations. It's just natural for me to do that.”

While stopping short of accusing HMS of cheating, Keselowski questioned how Hendrick has “tricked up" the cars of title contenders Earnhardt, Jimmie Johnson, Jeff Gordon and Kasey Kahne. "There are parts and pieces on the cars that are moving after inspection that make the car more competitive,” he said. “Some guys have it, some don't. There's a question to the interpretation of the rule. Penske Racing errs on the safe side, because we don't want to be the guys that get the big penalty.

“I'm not going to slam them for it. But it's living in a gray area (and) Roger doesn't do that.”

Brad is a really good guy,” said Earnhardt today of his former JR Motorsports employee. “He has a pretty good heart. He is a really great race car driver and I wish he would concentrate on that. I think he likes to talk a lot, but I think his true skills shine on the race track, not behind the microphone.”

“I like Brad,” he said. “We’re friends, and I don’t really want any drama with him."