At the beginning of September, Penske Racing announced that NASCAR Nationwide Series driver Brad Keselowski would make the transition to the Sprint Cup Series in 2010 and replace current driver David Stremme in the No. 12 Dodge.

That transition has come early.

Penske Racing announced yesterday afternoon that Keselowski would take over the wheel of the No. 12 starting this weekend at Texas and will run it through the remainder of the season.

Keselowski has racked up 4 top-10 finishes in 12 starts in the Cup Series this year and even scored his first victory at Talladega in the spring. Stremme is winless in 108 Sprint Cup Series starts and this was his first season with Penske; he also has not had a top-10 finish this season.

 MORE NASCAR NEWS