Brad Keselowski feels 'targeted' by NASCAR

The 2012 Sprint Cup champion arrived late to the Texas Motor Speedway grid after NASCAR confiscated parts from the rear of his car following pre-race inspections.

Team-mate Joey Logano also had parts confiscated and was subsequently moved to the back of the field as officials deemed he had not arrived on the grid on time.

NASCAR's vice president for competition Robin Pemberton told reporters that parts on the Penske Fords were "not in the spirit of the rule[s]."

Keselowski hit back however, saying he and his squad are being subjected to unfair and shameful scrutiny.

"I feel like we have been targeted over the last seven days more than I have ever seen a team targeted in my life," he told reporters at Texas.

"The way we have been treated over the last seven days is absolutely shameful.

"I can tell you there is no team [in the paddock], with the integrity of the #2 team. The things I've seen over the last seven days have me questioning everything I believe in.

"I don't have a lot of good things to say right now. I take that back, I have one good thing to say - and that's the effort my team put in fighting back against the absolute bullshit.

"We're not going to take it; we're not going to be treated this way."

Penske's director of competition Travis Geisler insisted the team was not doing anything untoward, adding: "There isn't anything in there that's groundbreaking as far as new pieces and parts.

"It's a sport that moves all the time. [NASCAR is] doing what they need to do to ensure an even playing field, which I certainly agree with."

Keselowski finished ninth at Texas and sits second in the championship, nine points behind Jimmie Johnson.

Logano meanwhile fought from the back of the grid to come home fifth, moving into 11th overall as a result.

Penske could yet be penalised over the confiscated rear-end housing parts.