Kenseth leaving RFR confirmed.

[AMNJG24F]

All I know is, Kenseth deserves a top tier ride. I believe he is the most underrated driver in the Cup Series right now. I hope he ends up at either JGR or SHR, just for the simple fact that anything else wouldn't be fair to the caliber of driver Matt is. It would be cool as hell to see Matt go out and win the championship at the end of this season.

For Jack Roush, I simply see this move as an issue with sponsorship. We're all aware that Jack has struggled getting a full time deal put together, so he might be putting more stock in a fresh up and coming driver then someone who has been there for awhile and has been struggling, for whatever reason (yes, it's probably Jack's fault himself), to attract a sponsor for the full season. Stenhouse is going to be magic in the car that's for sure. He impressed the hell out of me last year with his Coke 600 run. Knocked the wall down for half the race, yet still finished top-15 and had one of the fastest cars.

It's a shame to see this happen, especially now that Kenseth is having to go ride searching, but I see this being a smart business decision towards the future for Roush.

[CashMan]

Has it occurred to anyone that it might have been Matt's idea to leave? Helping RSjr and RFR, while getting him into a team/scene that he may have wanted for the past 2 years?

[RncRacer]

Has it occurred to anyone that it might have been Matt's idea to leave? Helping RSjr and RFR, while getting him into a team/scene that he may have wanted for the past 2 years?

No, because it wasn't. As the story stated they were struggling to find sponsorship for Matt, he is one of the highest paid drivers in NASCAR, and they had the top prospect in the sport looking for a ride. If anything you can call it mutual, but if RFR wanted Matt back he would be in the 17 next season.

[Donnie_87]

Wow.

[NOSphantom59]

Don't be surprised if he ends up a EGR.

[RncRacer]

Don't be surprised if he ends up a EGR.

I would be shocked. That would make no sense for him.

[savyo4]

Matt would not go to EGR. If he was to go to a Chevy team, it would be SHR. Hell RCR with a 4th car is to me better then going to EGR. Plus I heard Kurt was being talked to by Ganassi about the 1 car.

[beanboy89]

If Matt goes to EGR, I wonder if Teresa lets him run the #8?

[Wingz]

Should be good when all the silly season dominoes finally fall out.

[Mike Lala]

I can't even believe it. This is some of the most shocking news I've ever heard in NASCAR. Ricky Stenhouse isn't CRAP compared to Matt Kenseth, Matt is the best driver and easily has the most fans on the team. The guy JUST won the Daytona 500 I mean what a joke. I could see them dumping Edwards or Biffle but really? Kenseth? Biffle is having his best year in god knows how long and they decide to keep him instead of Kenseth?

I hope he ends up at RCR or something. Anywhere but JGR. First Robbie Reiser leaves Matt, DeWalt leaves and now hes left out at RFR. Absolute joke.

BTW I love how everyone is saying RFR or the 17 isn't a 'top tier ride'. Hes the freaking points leader right now. RFR is fine when it comes to equipment and Kenseth shows it weekly.

[jeffdale24]

From what I have read, Kenseth chose to leave. I do not think Roush pushed him out.

[savyo4]

I can't even believe it. This is some of the most shocking news I've ever heard in NASCAR. Ricky Stenhouse isn't CRAP compared to Matt Kenseth, Matt is the best driver and easily has the most fans on the team. The guy JUST won the Daytona 500 I mean what a joke. I could see them dumping Edwards or Biffle but really? Kenseth? Biffle is having his best year in god knows how long and they decide to keep him instead of Kenseth?

I hope he ends up at RCR or something. Anywhere but JGR. First Robbie Reiser leaves Matt, DeWalt leaves and now hes left out at RFR. Absolute joke.

BTW I love how everyone is saying RFR or the 17 isn't a 'top tier ride'. Hes the freaking points leader right now. RFR is fine when it comes to equipment and Kenseth shows it weekly.

Dude, take a breath. Nobody on here is saying Matt isn't a top driver, or that the 17 isn't a top tier ride (at least the majority on here). What people are saying is that since he is leaving Roush, he deserves a top tier ride like JGR, not to be at EGR or someplace similar. Matt is one of the best in the business, and he has proven that time and time again. Guy can wheel it. To answer your question about Biffle and Edwards, Ford wanted Edwards BADLY, so they assisted Roush in bringing him back. Biffle carried with him full-time sponsorship, so that, along with his talent, was the reason why Roush brought him back. I think Roush and Matt knew that unless Matt could bring full-time sponsorship, that it wasn't going to work out. And Ford wasn't about to splash the cash on another driver again. Trust me, Toyota and Chevy would love to have Matt, and it will show in his new deal.

[ElvisOnFire]

Something is just sending me this vibe that Kenseth is leaving because of the sponsorship problems they've had. The article also theorizes that Roush wouldn't pay Kenseth his asking price (he is a champion and a multiple Daytona 500 winner).

[Trackmaster25]

BTW I love how everyone is saying RFR or the 17 isn't a 'top tier ride'. Hes the freaking points leader right now. RFR is fine when it comes to equipment and Kenseth shows it weekly.

wat

From what it seems, Matt wasn't pushed out. Personally I wouldn't be surprised to see him go to a team that switches to Dodge in order to help get their program going.

[WildThing18]

No matter why Matt does next. I say he is a lock for the Hall of Fame his first year on the ballot

[Mike Henry Jr]

I don't see Matt going to any new Dodge team or even anything remotely close to a startup team. He is not at that point in his career like Jarrett was where he was "done."

He is in this to win races and championships still. Whoever switches to Dodge will not be a quality team. Unless some big team switches which I don't see happening.

[rookiechamp]

I can't wait to see Ricky Stenhouse fail in cup and Roush be in deep s***. They really think a Kyle Busch like him is ready for cup? Only place I see him doing good is on the restrictor plate tracks. This is about as shocking as Pujols leaving the Cardinals at the end of last year, I just hope Kenseth finds a good ride and wins more races than he has lately. He's always been a good driver in my eyes and has never really caused any problems on the track; he's a smart racer.

[Tommy Smith]

I am a big Kenseth fan. I have been one since the day he started running Busch (in a chevy). I hope he does get to keep the number. 17 IS KENSETH... So I hope he can keep it. I doubt they let him keep it though. I don't care where he goes or what make he drives, I will be a Kenseth fan until the end!!

[Talon64]

I can't even believe it. This is some of the most shocking news I've ever heard in NASCAR. Ricky Stenhouse isn't CRAP compared to Matt Kenseth, Matt is the best driver and easily has the most fans on the team. The guy JUST won the Daytona 500 I mean what a joke. I could see them dumping Edwards or Biffle but really? Kenseth? Biffle is having his best year in god knows how long and they decide to keep him instead of Kenseth?

I hope he ends up at RCR or something. Anywhere but JGR. First Robbie Reiser leaves Matt, DeWalt leaves and now hes left out at RFR. Absolute joke.

BTW I love how everyone is saying RFR or the 17 isn't a 'top tier ride'. Hes the freaking points leader right now. RFR is fine when it comes to equipment and Kenseth shows it weekly.

Biffle and Carl have plenty of sponsorship. Matt didn't, which is probably the main reason he wanted to leave. In which case he'll probably end up at Joe Gibbs Racing where I'm sure Home Depot and Dollar General would love to have him.

But JGR, SHR, Penske... I'd like to see him at any of them because they're all quality organizations and Kenseth would bring a lot to the table to make them better across the board, like Mark Martin's done with MWR. He'd still win races and contend for championship no matter what.

[ryan29]

Didnt expect to read this when I got home. I hope he lands in a good ride next year.