Hendrick plans to bring Keselowski back when a Cup ride becomes available

Hendrick says Keselowski won’t go far in 2010

BRISTOL, Tenn. — NASCAR team owner Rick Hendrick does not plan to let Brad Keselowski stray far from his organization.

Keselowski is believed to be headed to Penske Racing next season, in part because Hendrick Motorsports has no room in the lineup to promote him to the Sprint Cup Series.

But the team owner says wherever Keselowski ends up, “he’ll always be close enough for me to bring him back.”

Keselowski is the hottest prospect right now in NASCAR, but wants to move up from the Nationwide Series to the premier Cup level. He wanted to stay with a team affiliated with Hendrick, but there is no scenario for 2010 that would work.

Keselowski turned down the No. 12 for Penske last season. David Stremme got the ride.