NASCAR: Matt Kenseth’s situation could be indicative of the future of the sport

By Asher Fair | Oct 2, 2017

DOVER, DE - SEPTEMBER 29: Matt Kenseth, driver of the #20 DeWalt/Flexvolt Toyota, looks on during practice for the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Apache Warrior 400 presented by Lucas Oil at Dover International Speedway on September 29, 2017 in Dover, Delaware. (Photo by Jerry Markland/Getty Images) /

Matt Kenseth is still producing solid results at age 45. But Joe Gibbs Racing’s decision to move on from him next year could be indicative of NASCAR’s future.

Despite the fact that he is performing at a high level even at age 45 as the oldest full-time driver in the NASCAR Cup Series, Matt Kenseth has been and still is without a confirmed full-time ride in the 2018 season.

Joe Gibbs Racing announced over the summer that 21-year-old Erik Jones would replace Kenseth in the #20 Toyota next season. Jones currently drives the #77 Toyota for Furniture Row Racing, the team that has a technical alliance with Joe Gibbs Racing and actually just sold the charter of the #77 car to an unnamed team for next season.

While Kenseth has not won a race in over a year, it’s not like he is on the decline. The 2003 Cup Series champion is in the playoffs for the 13th time in their 14-year existence, and it looks like he will be a serious threat to make the final round at Homestead-Miami, as he has qualified for the Round of 12 once again.

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However, Kenseth still doesn’t have a ride for next season, and he may end up not getting one. Why? Because NASCAR team owners have begun looking toward the long-term future as opposed to the short-term future.

No other driver’s situation could represent this shift better than Matt Kenseth’s. Look at all of the open rides Kenseth could have gotten for next year but didn’t.

Dale Earnhardt Jr., 42, drives the #88 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet, and he is set to retire following the conclusion of this season. Alex Bowman, 24, is set to take over the driving duties of his car.

Kasey Kahne, 37, drives the #5 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet, and he was let out of his contract with the team a year early. William Byron, 19, is set to replace Kahne while Kahne moves to the small Leaving Family Racing team to drive the #95 Chevrolet.

Team Penske announced that they would be adding a third car next season to go along with their current two cars, which are driven by Brad Keselowski and Joey Logano. Instead of adding a veteran to drive that third car, they will be adding Ryan Blaney, 23.

And, of course, as mentioned above, Erik Jones, 21, will be replacing Kenseth, 45. All of this demonstrates the fact that team owners would rather gamble on a young driver that could pay off big-time over the course of the next 15 or 20 or more years than take the safe bet of a veteran driver who would most assuredly produce solid results for another year or two.

Next: 10 NASCAR drivers who deserve better rides

At 45 years of age, Matt Kenseth is still producing at a high level. However, he is without a confirmed full-time ride for next season because of all the young, up-and-coming drivers that teams are more interested. Is that really where the future of the sport lies?

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