https://www.timesunion.com/sports/article/Kenseth-ready-for-season-debut-12908929.php
Kenseth ready for season debut
Driver in first race this season after returning for Roush
Published 11:57 pm, Friday, May 11, 2018
Kansas City, Kan.
It was about a year ago that Matt Kenseth thought he would be spending the year driving a school bus.
He is back to driving something with a little more horsepower.
Kenseth returned to NASCAR's top series on Friday when he climbed into the No. 6 Ford for Roush Fenway Racing, practicing and qualifying for Saturday night's race at Kansas Speedway. The former series champion agreed to a deal last month to split time in the car with Trevor Bayne the rest of the year.
"The last few weeks have been fun, just trying to get a little bit caught up and re-acclimated with the system and people and what's changed," Kenseth said Friday morning. "I've been anxious about today and getting through tech and on the track in time. I'm pretty anxious to see where we're at."
Kenseth was anxious for a much different reason the last time he was at Kansas.
It was toward the end of last season and Kenseth had lost his ride with Joe Gibbs Racing, which had decided to move forward with Erik Jones as part of a youth movement. The 46-year-old Kenseth knew he had the talent to keep driving at the Cup level, but there were no competitive rides available. At least, none that could afford his salary.
So, the self-assured Kenseth mused about the possibility of driving a school bus, since he already took his own kids to school most days. And while steering a big yellow bus never happened, Kenseth said he did enjoy the time away from NASCAR's week-to-week grind, and that he wouldn't have returned to such a pressure-cooker if it wasn't the right opportunity. Team owner Jack Roush ended up giving him a call.
Kenseth began his Cup career with Roush in 1998, winning a series title and two Daytona 500s. But his move to Joe Gibbs Racing in 2013 created a bit of a rift, and in the intervening years, a program that was once considered one of the gold standards of NASCAR began to slide.
Roush's five-car stable had dwindled to two, and while Ricky Stenhouse Jr. won two races and made the playoffs last year, Bayne has struggled to live up to expectations after his own Daytona 500 win.
So, Roush picked up the phone and made the offer: Kenseth would share time with Bayne the rest of the season, providing his opinions and expertise for a program searching for some results.
"We see a potential for Matt being involved with the company and race team past his driving," Roush said last month, when the deal was announced. "It's a chance to look at our cars and find out if there's something glaring that Matt will see from his experience."
Kenseth confirmed Friday that he will drive the next five weeks.
Qualifying: Kevin Harvick turned a best lap of 188.811 mph Friday night to easily claim the top starting spot for the Kansas 400. Ryan Blaney was a distant second in 187.825 mph, with Kyle Busch, Aric Almirola and Chase Elliott rounding out the top five.
Trucks: Noah Gragson held off Kyle Busch to win the series race at Kansas Speedway. Stewart Friesen was third.
