What happened: Matt Kenseth will return to the NASCAR Cup Series on a part-time basis, Roush Fenway Racing officially announced Wednesday. As Jordan Bianchi of SBNation.com first reported, Kenseth will split the No. 6 car with Trevor Bayne at Roush, where Kenseth started his career. Kenseth’s first race back will be the Kansas Speedway race in May.
What it means: Roush found a new sponsor, and it’s likely any sponsor wants a big-name driver if possible. It certainly makes a deal more attractive. That coincided with an opportunity to improve performance; Bayne’s best finish this season is 12th and he sits 26th in the point standings, while teammate Ricky Stenhouse Jr. is 19th in the standings. At the very least, Kenseth can come in, drive some races and give feedback on whether the problem is the cars or the drivers. He just won his second-to-last start in November and the cars haven’t changed much since then.
News value (scale of 1-10): Uh, 9? Pretty high! As far as driver comebacks, the only thing bigger would be if Dale Earnhardt Jr., Jeff Gordon or Tony Stewart decided to race again for some reason. This is also be significant in the ongoing narrative about young drivers, since it could represent a shift back toward putting value on veteran performance.
Three questions: How will Kenseth perform in what currently appears to be second-tier equipment? How many races will he ultimately drive this season? Is there still time for Bayne to save his job, or is this the beginning of the end?
I think it’s realistic to think Matt could get some top 10’s in that car. Honestly, he and Carl probably covered up a lot of performance issues at Roush for several years. It would be a lot to ask for him to win a race, but at a short track or restrictor plate, who knows?
Really wish Roush had announced how many and which races
Also, you think Matt would’ve loved to have this start at Dover in May given his record there
I think Kenseth’s best chance to win would be Daytona or Dega, IF he ran there (I could see him passing on that, however), given Stenhouse’s recent success showing RFR still has cars that can win there, and how strong Kenseth was in his final days at Roush on plate tracks
Matt could easily win Bristol in August. Stenhouse had a shot there late in the race just a couple of weeks ago.
Matt could easily win Bristol in August. Stenhouse had a shot there late in the race just a couple of weeks ago.
He’s been pretty dang good at Kansas the past few years too, though RFR’s intermediate program has been garbage lately.
Overall, I’m excited. I am unabashedly a Kenseth fan and have not watched much NASCAR at all lately; this will make me pay more attention. I hate that he got unfairly pushed out of Roush for Stenhouse, then again got pushed out of JGR for Jones – solely because they’re younger (CHEAPER) and supposedly for sponsor reasons. I really doubt DeWalt is happier with Erik Jones running 20th every week than they would be with Matt in the top 10 but what do I know? Regardless, Matt is good enough that he deserves to go out on his own terms. He’s not a top-10 all time driver, but he’s absolutely a Hall of Fame one and deserves to decide when he’s done.
Kenseth left Roush for a better ride at JGR, he was not “pushed out”. Matt’s leaving was the end of competitiveness for Roush.
We will ultimately find out if the problem is what we all expect: Bayne just isn’t that good. And Stenhouse needs to continue his progress or he could be next.
With all the attention the young drivers are getting, remember that it’s 42 year old Kevin Harvick and 32-year old Kyle Busch that are winning.
Beginning of the end
It is the beginning of the end for Trevor
I’m so thrilled for him. I don’t like Roush, not a Kenseth fan, but I really, really don’t want to see NASCAR turn into a death trap from putting cheaper, younger, inexperience who can barely keep up with demands into the field. We tried that already, it didn’t work to very bad results.
That said, I also truly hope it’s not Bayne’s health that is causing it. While I don’t think he’s top tier Champ talent, he’s a lovely guy and like Vickers, has chronic health conditions. So I wish him the best and a long healthy life.
I, also, like Trevor Bayne, but – with the MS – he is on borrowed time and all know it. Have always felt that Kenseth is an outstanding driver.
I think Advocare probably insisted on Bayne for their remaining races and the others will go to Kenseth. If Trevor improves, he may stay, but I doubt that this will happen. Now we’ll see if Roush is really as “second-tier” as they appear to be.
Not sure Roush Fords are “second-tier equipment.” Stenhouse has been very competitive in several races. I think these two guys, (Matt and Ricky), will feed off of each other. Bayne is a decent driver, but like Bobby Hillin, he’s a “one trick pony.”
Kenseth left Roush for a better ride at JGR, he was not “pushed out”. Matt’s leaving was the end of competitiveness for Roush.
We will ultimately find out if the problem is what we all expect: Bayne just isn’t that good. And Stenhouse needs to continue his progress or he could be next.
With all the attention the young drivers are getting, remember that it’s 42 year old Kevin Harvick and 32-year old Kyle Busch that are winning.
Sorry for Trevor, but happy for Matt.
I have called him #MyManMatt for a very long time. He in fact is the only driver I have liked from the start. So I am over the moon happy to see him back. On the other hand my heart breaks for Trevor. I have also loved him from the start, not because of his driving talent but for who and what he stands for. A man of God, who wears his faith on his sleeve. I am soooo hoping Matt can come in and help bring RFR back to it’s glory days. And in doing so, help Trevor with where he may be lacking.
Totally agree. Plus new money in the sport is good too! I feel bad for Trevor, but it is a performance driven sport.