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CBS photo
“I have always said that when we have to fill a driver spot, that I owe it to our team, our partners and our fans to put the best available driver in the car. We are doing exactly that with Matt,” said team owner Chip Ganassi.
“Throughout my time in NASCAR, I have always admired the way Matt Kenseth raced. He has proven to be a consistent winner, strong competitor, and respectful driver, and I’m glad we are able to add another NASCAR champion to the team for the remainder of this season.”
The Wisconsin native is a 39-time Cup Series winner and will join a talented group on the No. 42 team, which entered the 2020 season following a best-ever sixth-place finish in the 2019 point standings, a fourth consecutive trip to the playoffs, and a playoff race win at Dover International Speedway.
With a newly designed Chevrolet Camaro for the 2020 season, the No. 42 team started the year strong, with three top-10 finishes in the first four races.
“This was an unexpected opportunity for sure,” offered Kenseth. “I can’t say racing was even on my radar two weeks ago. After spending some time thinking about it and all the unique circumstances surrounding all of us right now, it just seemed the timing and the opportunity was perfect to come back. I know I have a lot of work ahead of me to get up to speed in a relatively short period of time, but I’m looking forward to the challenge.”
While this marks the first time Kenseth will race with Team Chevy in the Cup Series, he is no stranger to the manufacturer. Kenseth began his racing career in 1988 in a Camaro and made his debut in the NASCAR Southeast Series in 1994 behind the wheel of a Chevrolet, and continued racing Chevrolet’s in the Xfinity Series through the 2001 season.
“I’m excited to work with Kurt (Busch) again and to meet all my new CGR team members, and I’m really looking forward to getting back in a Chevrolet,” added Kenseth. “In 1988, I started my career in a Camaro and I can’t wait to finally race a Chevy in the Cup Series. I also need to thank Chip and all his partners for this opportunity. Hopefully, we will be on the track soon.”
No. 42 Credit One Bank Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 (Photo Credit: Chris Trotman | Getty Images)CGR partners AdventHealth, Clover, Credit One Bank and McDonald’s all plan to remain with the organization with Kenseth in the seat.
According to the Associated Press, Ganassi will petition NASCAR for a waiver that could make Kenseth become Playoff eligible should he win a race and finish inside the top-30 in the regular championship standings before the opening Playoff race.
Ganassi also revealed to the Associated Press that Kenseth brings the ingredients that the No. 42 team needs.
“I think Matt gives us the best chance to win, run up front and compete for wins,” Ganassi told The Associated Press. “I’ve always gone with the mantra of trying to take the best driver available, and he’s the best driver available right now. And he brings something to our sponsors that they need right now. Stability. No baggage. Family man. Daytona 500 winner. Championship winner.”
The Cambridge, Wisc. native retired from Joe Gibbs Racing following the 2017 season but returned less than a year later for 15 races to drive for Roush Fenway Racing, his original team, in 2018.
He was Cup Rookie of the Year in 2000 driving for Roush, where he won his only Championship in 2003. He has 39 career Cup career victories and won the prestigious Daytona 500 in 2009 and 2012 respectively.
Kenseth departed Roush for JGR in 2013 and enjoyed immediate success. He won 15 races behind the No. 20 Toyota and was runner-up for the title in 2013, the year he won a career-high seven races.
Kenseth turned 48 on March 10.