NASCAR: 10 future Hall of Famers among 2020 drivers
By Asher Fair
Future NASCAR Hall of Famers: #4 – Matt Kenseth
The Brett Favre of NASCAR, Matt Kenseth worked his way back onto this list by becoming an “active driver” for the third time in his career in 2020 and second since he initially stepped away from the sport following the 2017 season when he was replaced by Erik Jones at Joe Gibbs Racing.
Kenseth initially returned to competition as a part-time driver in 2018 with Roush Fenway Racing before again stepping away following the 2018 season. When the 2019 season was his first season since 1997, which was before he had ever competed in the Cup Series, without any starts, it seemed clear that he was done.
Then Chip Ganassi Racing came calling after Kyle Larson used a racial slur and ended up being fired by the team after losing several sponsors. All of a sudden, the 48-year-old Kenseth, who was the oldest driver in the 2020 field by more than three and a half years, found himself back in the saddle, and on a full-time basis.
While it was clear throughout the 2020 season that the 2003 champion is well past his prime (and his third time walking away from the sport will probably be his last), there is no mistaking the fact that he is a surefire Hall of Fame bet.
His 39 wins, tied for 21st place on the all-time list, and one championship, tied for 17th, make him a lock. No former driver with at least 29 wins has not been inducted, and the only former driver who won a title and is not a Hall of Famer is Bill Rexford. He won just one race.