NASCAR: Why Matt Kenseth is the wrong choice for Chip Ganassi Racing
By James Dunn
Matt Kenseth coming back is a great feel-good story for NASCAR and definitely gives the fans something to look forward to. But I have a few questions.
When I first heard the announcement that Matt Kenseth would replace Kyle Larson at Chip Ganassi Racing behind the wheel of the #42 Chevrolet for the rest of the 2020 NASCAR Cup Series season, my first two words were the same two words Ryan Reynolds spoke in Harold & Kumar Go to White Castle.
“But, why?”
Why would Chip Ganassi, who likes winners, choose Kenseth to take arguably the team’s number one car?
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Sure, Kenseth is most definitely a winner. But I think it would be safe to say that you can consider the 2020 season a write-off for the #42 team, despite Kenseth’s playoff waiver. So why not use that year to develop a younger driver or even another rookie to groom him and give him the much-needed experience and time it takes to be competitive at NASCAR’s highest level?
Ganassi calling an audible and not going with Ross Chastain to replace Larson was undoubtedly a shock to everyone in the NASCAR community.
Why not go with Chastain? When he replaced Ryan Newman for three races, his results were not impressive: a 27th place finish at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, a 17th place finish at Auto Club Speedway, and a 23rd place finish at Phoenix Raceway. Again, not great, but serviceable.
I think Ganassi missed a key opportunity to develop talent. If Chastain wasn’t willing to come back to the Cup Series full-time yet, I don’t see why other Xfinity Series drivers such as Noah Gragson, Chase Briscoe, Daniel Hemric or Justin Haley could not have had the chance to develop and impress.
Related Story. Why Matt Kenseth is the right choice for Chip Ganassi Racing. light
Choosing Kenseth could be considered a safe option. Ganassi stated that Kenseth brings “something to our sponsors that they need right now. Stability. No baggage. Family man. Daytona 500 winner. Championship winner.”
No baggage? In controversies, no. But, when it comes to experience, Kenseth is a frequent flyer. The 48-year-old will be entering his 22nd year competing in the Cup Series. He will be the oldest driver in the garage by several years. Age can have an effect on a driver and his ability to get results, just like in any other sport. Sometimes, it’s just better to stay retired.
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As a NASCAR fan, I love seeing drivers who I grew up watching, such as Matt Kenseth, coming back. But I’m also a fan of owners gearing up for the future, possibly lining up for even more success. I see Chip Ganassi Racing being set back a year with this move.