Kenseth says Farewell

This morning Tuesday June 26, 2012 Roush Fenway Racing announced that long time driver Matt Kenseth will be leaving the team at the end of this season. Matt Kenseth has spent his entire 13 years Sprint Cup career racing for Roush in the number 17 car. He is also second next to Jeff Gordon in amount of time spent at one team. It has been noted this season that the number 17 team has not had the sponsorship they needed and Roush has footed the bill himself for a few races. Roush also stated that he will do whatever he has to do to keep Matt's excellent season going.  Kenseth is a unique driver in the fact that he acts as his own agent, when Kenseth was asked about his future at Roush Fenway this past weekend at Sonoma he declined to comment by saying, "you know I don't talk about my contract". It was announced that 2011 Nationwide Series Champion Ricky Stenhouse Jr. will become the young new face of Roush Fenway Racing. Stenhouse who was mentored by Kenseth as well as other Roush Fenway drivers, has shown a lot of progress over the past couple years. It seems that Old Jack Roush is sticking to his roots once you get old by his standards, your out. Matt Kenseth gave Jack Roush his first Sprint cup championship as well as two Daytona 500's, is also currently the points leader, and is he's being removed. To me that just does not add up but its typical Jack Roush fashion 

There are speculations of teams Kenseth may join which are Penske, as they move back to Ford, and Joe Gibbs Racing. However, as Penske President Bud Denker stated this weekend that they are content with A.J. Allmindinger who is in a contract year. Aside from Penske, the majority of signs are pointing at the possibility of joining JGR who would be replacing current driver Joey Logano who is already under contract. Unlike Allmindinger, Logano has not had much improvement over the past few years at JGR. Not much has been said if Logano will continue his contract at JGR.

Stay tuned for more information concerning Matt Kenseth.

The Junior Rose This Weekend

This past Sunday it finally happened Dale Junior rose to the top like the Dark Knight and won for the first time in 140 races. Ironically the win came at the site of his last win, Michigan International Speedway four years ago. Junior did not start off solid the car was just ok until the second pit stop when crew chief Steve Letart made the call to place a spring rubber in the left rear. Since Letart and Earnhardt have been paired together they have made nothing but strides forward. The duo has had a strong start to this season racking up the top  fives and tens. This could be the spark under Dale Junior that he needs to keep winning and he has officially put  his name in as a chase contender. Junior moved himself into second in points and is closing in on that number one position. It is safe to say that you should look out for Junior because he is rising to the top.