NASCAR Cup Series: Matt Kenseth granted a playoff waiver
By Asher Fair
Matt Kenseth did not compete in any of the first four races of the 2020 NASCAR Cup Series season, but he has been granted a playoff waiver.
Despite the fact that he did not compete in any of the first four races of the 2020 NASCAR Cup Series season, Matt Kenseth has been granted a playoff waiver and will be eligible to compete for this year’s championship.
After Kyle Larson used the N-word during an iRacing event at virtual Autodromo Nazionale Monza that was being live streamed race on Twitch, he was suspended and lost multiple sponsors, causing Chip Ganassi Racing to fire him.
Just over two weeks later, Chip Ganassi Racing confirmed that Kenseth, who hasn’t competed full-time in the Cup Series since the 2017 season and hasn’t competed at all since the 2018 season, is set to replace the 27-year-old Elk Grove, California native behind the wheel of the #42 Chevrolet for the remainder of the 2020 season.
More from NASCAR Cup Series
- NASCAR Cup Series: New team set to compete in 2024
- NASCAR: Surprising name continuously linked to new seat
- NASCAR driver at risk of missing the Daytona 500?
- NASCAR set for rare appearance last seen 13 years ago
- NASCAR team adds third car, names driver for 2024 Daytona 500
NASCAR confirmed this news, along with the news that Ryan Newman, who missed three races after suffering a brain bruise in a crash during the season-opening Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway, is also set to be granted a playoff waiver.
Playoff eligibility depends on competing in every race and staying in the top 30 in the championship standings. The waiver which Kenseth has been granted waives the first of those two requirements, meaning that if he finishes the regular season standings in the top 30 with a win or if he finishes high enough in the standings to qualify for one of the 16 playoff positions without winning a race, he will qualify for the playoffs.
With zero points through the season’s first four races, the 48-year-old Cambridge, Wisconsin native sits 90 points below the playoff cut line. New teammate (and former Roush Racing teammate) Kurt Busch is the driver who currently occupies the 16th and final playoff spot.
The remainder of the 2020 schedule is still subject to change due to the coronavirus pandemic, but NASCAR is still aiming to run a 36-race schedule, as initially planned. So far, eight races have been postponed.
Next. Top 10 NASCAR drivers of all-time. dark
The next scheduled race is scheduled to take place at Charlotte Motor Speedway on Sunday, May 24, but there are rumors that the season will resume a week earlier at Darlington Raceway on Sunday, May 17.