Drifting through the Seasons
However, the #57 team lost
Albertson's sponsorship at the end of 2003, and
Miller High Life came on board, changing the team's number to 22. 2004 was not a bad year at all for Keller. However, he will tell you it was a struggle. He only had 6 top-5s and 12 top-10s in the year, finishing 6th.
Again without sponsorship, Keller left ppc Racing, and headed towards
Team Rensi Motorsports's second operation sponsored by
McDonald's. They struggled all year. Despite a 9th place finish in points, Keller was never competitive. He only had 1 top-5 all year (Talladega) and 6 top-10s. Keller signed with
Phoenix Racing for
2006, but was released after just eight races.
Keller was consistent in the first eight races. He ran the #1 Miccosukee Dodge to a best finish of 11th at Daytona, but he was running 12th in points after the eighth race of the year. However, on April 18, 2006, Keller was released from the team in what many viewed as a "cheap shot" from Finch. He was replaced by
Mike Wallace. Keller would then try to race the #34
Frank Cicci Racing Chevy at
Richmond, but he did not qualify and declined further rides with the team. Instead, Brewco Motorsports hired Keller to qualify and practice
Greg Biffle's #66 Ford for select races when Biffle was working on his
Nextel Cup Series team. Keller did a good job, and Brewco rewarded Keller with a race at
ORP. Keller ran in the top-five for the first half of his 400th career start, but a mid race spin dropped Keller to 15th in the rundown. Keller will drive part time for Brewco Motorsports, sharing their #27 with NEXTEL Cup driver Ward Burton, as well as a part-time scheudle for CJM Racing. On
October 12, 2007 Keller broke
Tommy Houston's record for most career starts in the Busch Series with his 418th appearance. He also holds the record for most Busch Series earnings with over $11M (USD).