Page 17 - Aug 19 TNT

PHOTO COURTESY OF BRETT SCHAUF, VMG NASCAR Champion Takes on Manufacturing by Rebecca Groom Jacobs Within just a few minutes of our interview, it is clear NASCAR driver and entrepreneur Brad Keselowski is a big advocate for private aviation. Not for the flash and luxuries his fans might relate to jet ownership – but for the obvious increase in efficiency and capability his Lear 45 allows. “NASCAR looks at private aviation as a necessity. We just could not succeed without it,” said Keselowski. “We also look at it as a cost savings tool, which is hard for the general public to understand. But because we are able to be more places and do more things, we actually drive down our cost. This week alone, I am in eight or nine different cities over a seven- day stretch. I just could not achieve that flying commercially.” Each year, Brad’s team logs approximately 250 hours of flight time, or 200 trips. While the majority of flights are to races and promotional events, he is also busy building his new company Keselowski Advanced Manufacturing (KAM), which specializes in additive manufacturing and CNC machining. During a recent stop in Wichita, we caught a moment to sit down with Brad to discuss NASCAR, the launch of his company and how his Lear 45 makes it all possible. August 2019 / TWIN & TURBINE • 15