NASCAR: Five Possible Landing Spots for Matt Kenseth in 2018
By Asher Fair
No. 41 – Stewart-Haas Racing, Ford
The current driver of the #41 Stewart-Haas Racing Ford is Kurt Busch, and Stewart-Haas Racing did not pick up the option on his contract for beyond the 2017 season, thus making him officially a free agent. Despite the fact that he did win this year’s Daytona 500, he has not had a great season compared to his recent seasons.
Matt Kenseth, the 2003 Cup Series champion, is, without a doubt, better than Kurt Busch, the 2004 Cup Series champion, at this very moment even despite the fact that Kenseth has not won a race yet this season while Busch won the Daytona 500.
While Kenseth is 45 years old and Busch is only 39, both drivers are veterans who are getting up there in age, and Stewart-Haas Racing may be willing to shake things up this offseason, even if it means grabbing a readily available driver who happens to be six years older than Busch.
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While there is still speculation that Stewart-Haas Racing did not renew Busch’s contract because they wanted him for longer than the option would have been for, they very well could have worked out a long-term deal in the meantime after picking up his option if this was indeed the case.
Why? Because nothing would have prevented them from keeping Busch on the team as long as they wanted to, as it’s not like he’s a highly desirable young driver that all of the other top-tier teams want a crack at signing. Sure, he did win this year’s Daytona 500, but other than that, his results have not been anything to write home about.
That said, the team did say on Twitter that they want Busch back in the 2018 season after the news broke that his option would not be picked up, so it is still a real possibility that he will return.
We don't comment on contract status, but we expect @KurtBusch back in our @MonsterEnergy / @Haas_Automation Ford in '18. Just sayin'.
— Stewart-Haas Racing (@StewartHaasRcng) August 1, 2017
However, until Busch’s return to the team in 2018 is 100% confirmed, he is a free agent, and Kenseth may have a chance to snatch his seat next season. It would be great for both he and the team if he ends up being able to do so.