Related Article:  NASCAR PENALTY: Musgrave Suspended, Parked for Memphis

Keselowski Will Sub for Musgrave at Memphis

Ted Musgrave will be sitting out the O'Reilly 200 at Memphis. (VPS Motorimages Photo)

Ted Musgrave will not be driving the No. 9 Team ASE Toyota Tundra this weekend at Memphis Motorsports Park; but it's not by choice.

After getting into a wreck with Kelly Bires on lap 74 in Turn 2 at The Milwaukee Mile last Friday night, Musgrave took his battered Toyota and rammed alongside Bires stopped truck against the outside wall. Musgrave was black flagged, directed off the track and into the garage area. Bires was forced to register a DNF because of the damage.

That black flag was just the beginning for Musgrave.

On Tuesday, NASCAR suspended the 2005 NCTS champion from this week's race at Memphis, docked him 50 driver championship points, fined him $10,000 and placed him on probation until Dec. 31, 2007. Bob Germain, listed owner of the No. 9, was docked 50 owner's points, as well.

Musgrave was found to be in violation of Section 12-4-A (actions detrimental to stock car racing; hitting another competitor's truck during a caution period) of the 2007 NASCAR rule book.

Just after the announcement was made by NASCAR, Germain Racing released a statement regarding the penalties and who will drive their truck this weekend.

"We hate that it had to happen, but in the interest of safety we understand and support NASCAR in their decision to suspend Ted Musgrave from racing this weekend," said Mike Hillman, Sr., General Manager for Germain. "We regret that the incident happened. The Team ASE crew has had some excellent races this season and we know Ted Musgrave still has the fire it takes to win races for us.

"We look forward to having him back in the Team ASE Tundra in Kentucky.

Brad Keselowski shown here October 2004. (High Sierra Photo)

"Brad Keselowski will drive the Team ASE Tundra at Memphis. We chose Brad because his peers - drivers like Ted Musgrave, Todd Bodine and Mark Martin - all have nothing but good things to say about him.

"This will be an excellent opportunity for him, and we look forward to working with him."

Keselowski has been around the NCTS for nine years.

When the incident first occurred, Musgrave said he "could hardly steer" his truck and, at the same time, criticized slower race vehicles for not yielding to the leaders. Bires wasn't on the lead lap when the incident occurred.

Bires said the incident was "kind of uncalled for" and then commented "I don't know if he's a sore loser, or what?" in regards to Musgrave's actions.