AVONDALE, AZ - NOVEMBER 12: Matt Kenseth, driver of the #20 Circle K Toyota, celebrates after winning the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Can-Am 500 at Phoenix International Raceway on November 12, 2017 in Avondale, Arizona. (Photo by Robert Laberge/Getty Images)
NASCAR Executive speaks on Matt Kenseth
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Matt Kenseth set to run final race at Homestead-Miami Speedway
Today, Matt Kenseth might or might not run his last NASCAR race. Kenseth may return, though, it’s likely his last race as a full-time time. He joins Danica Patrick and Dale Earnhardt Jr on the list of drivers running their final season.
“I’m a big fan of Matt,” Steve O’Donnell states via ‘The Morning Drive’ on Sirius XM NASCAR Radio.
“He’s got a tremendous sense of humor. If you don’t know him that well… I describe Matt Keneth as really a constant pro.”
Matt Kenseth’s sense of humor has always been there. However, toward the tail of the year, we’re all seeing it more. That became apparent to me when Matt Kenseth’s race was ended by an ambulance at Richmond Raceway.
“I was driving around the infield for about five minutes with him. He was lost and couldn’t find the care center. So thankfully I wasn’t bleeding to death. Then the other one I think is after California or something like that. He drove so recklessly, it threw me right off the bench and I almost hit my head in the ambulance. So, yeah, there’s been a couple instances this year actually,” Kenseth told two different stories of ambulance issues.
“It’s certainly disappointing for him. But, also a little bit exciting. He’s had a really good career. I think there’s some opportunities for him, for people to get to know him.”
“I’m excited to see what the future will bring for him. [We] certainly have a crop of one young drivers that are exciting. But, you look at a Kevin Harvick winning at Texas. We’ve also got a batch of drivers that want to tell the world, ‘Hey, we’re still out here.’ ”
Matt Kenseth then followed that with a win of his own. Kenseth claimed his 39th win last week at Phoenix. Dale Earnhardt Jr met him on pit road. “Strike one for the old guys,” Kenseth told Dale Jr on his way to victory lane.
Did the win change anything? Matt Kenseth stated, “If anything it reaffirms my decision to go out.”
Matt Kenseth is making his 650th start, it will likely be his last. Kenseth has 326 top 10 finishes. Throughout his 20 year career, Kenseth has been in the top 10, 50% of the time.
Matt Kenseth will start 4th today at Homestead-Miami Speedway. He was 8th in final practice. Kenseth certainly has a fair shot at win #40.