Why don't people get it?

Brad Keselowski is just what the sport of NASCAR needs, and yet everyone -- from fans to competitors to the media -- question the kid, his style and his tactics. Even worse, the "H" word is used. Yeah, some "Hate" him.

Get over it, gang.

Keselowski's not much of a crybaby. He doesn't apologize for what he does, but he doesn't much whine when he gets it back. He says "wait 'til next time."

Unless someone or something kills him first, the kid's here to stay; he's here long-term and he's gonna contend.

And all-in-all, that's a great thing for the sport, even if you could argue that Carl Edwards tried to do just that -- snuff his candle -- last Sunday at Atlanta, when Edwards purposefully wrecked Keselowski at 190-plus.

But that topic's been beaten to death, so let's leave it alone. Supporting Keselowski, on the other hand, hasn't been dealt with.

Obviously, a lot of people like Keselowski -- and I'm not just talking about his family who, as most of you should know, drain motor oil when they're cut.

Count team owner Roger Penske in that number, because he hired the 26-year-old to drive his No. 12 Penske Racing Dodges in the Cup and the Nationwide series. Roger's no dope. He must've seen something positive, something he liked. Too bad the feeling's not widely contagious.

A lot of people like Little K's fire, his sass, his confidence, his fortitude -- all attributes that are necessary in abundance to be a successful race car driver at the highest levels.

A lot of competitors don't like him; and by inference a lot of fans don't either because guess what? By his nature and his ability, that means Keselowski's gonna wax their favorites.

Who could possibly like that? And I get that. But God help you folks -- you've got to appreciate it. Just like with Jimmie Johnson, you've just got to tune in to see if "your guy" can be the one who's gonna be the one to win this weekend. (Continued)