Brian Keselowski's stock is beginning to rise after racing his way into the 2011 Daytona 500 with a fifth-place finish in Thursday's Gatorade Duel. The elder of the Keselowski brothers, Brian's three years older than Brad, is developing as one of the biggest stories of 2011 Speedweeks in Daytona.

“I owe my brother in a thousand ways,” Brian Keselowski said after receiving a push from little brother in the second qualifying race.

The 29-year-old came to Daytona with his own car, very little money and mostly an all volunteer pit crew. Thursday showed he has what it takes to compete at NASCAR's highest level. Brian makes his first Daytona 500 start on Sunday from the 12th position in car No. 92. It's also his debut in a Sprint Cup points event.

Keselowski, a native of Rochester Hills, Michigan, has not enjoyed some of the opportunities his younger brother has had come his way but has made the most what he and his family have been able to put together. All of the patience and hard work is beginning to pay dividends as Roger Penske and Ray Evernham, among others, have come forward with assistance in the past 24 hours.

On Wednesday Brian Keselowski didn't think he would be able to make the next Sprint Cup race at Phoenix. With a $250,000 guarantee to start the Daytona 500, Keselowski is thinking about running for Rookie of the Year.

"I just want to race," Brian Keselowski said.

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