CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA – JANUARY 21: NASCAR Hall of Fame inductee, Matt Kenseth, speaks at the … [+] Hall of Honor Q&A session at the NASCAR Hall of Fame on January 21, 2023 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by David Jensen/Getty Images)
Getty ImagesMatt Kenseth is returning to NASCAR. Tuesday the 2003 NASCAR Cup series champion was announced as a competition advisor with Legacy Motor Club the team co-owned by 7-time NASCAR champion Jimmie Johnson.
Kenseth last raced in NASCAR in 2020, the final year Johnson raced. Since he left the sport the 51-year-old Wisconsin native has spent time with family, he has four daughters with wife Katie, and a 30-year-old son from a previous relationship. Kenseth also competed in the 2022 Boston Marathon and took part in some non-NASCAR races including the Superstar Racing Series where he still competes part time.
Kenseth scored 39 victories at 19 different tracks during his 20-year Cup Series career, including two Daytona 500s, the Southern 500, and the Coca-Cola 600. He also won the 2004 International Race of Champions (IROC) title. His 2003 title caused controversy among some critics due to him winning only one race yet leading the points for much of the season. In 2004 NASCAR instituted the “Chase for the Nextel Cup” 10-race season ending Playoff format that placed a premium on winning. Kenseth would go on to qualify for those Playoffs in 13 of his final 14 seasons. In addition, Kenseth had 182 top-five and 331 top-10 finishes in 697 starts, as well as 20 pole positions.
He was inducted into the NASCAR Hall of Fame this year.
2003 NASCAR Winston Cup Champion, Matt Kenseth and wife Katie pose with the Championship trophy … [+] (Photo by Kevin Kane/WireImage)
WireImage In his new role with Legacy, Kenseth will consult with the team on strategy on the competition side, and mentor the team’s drivers Erik Jones and starting in 2024 John Hunter Nemechek.
In 2015 Kenseth was suspended for two races for intentionally crashing Joey Logano at Martinsville. Erik Jones subbed for Kenseth for the two races.
Kenseth and Johnson have always been furious competitors on the track. Johnson finished second to Kenseth in the final points in 2003, the year he won his title, and Kenseth finished second in the standings to Johnson in 2013 despite winning seven races that season to Johnson’s six.
“Jimmie and I have so much respect for each other as both competitors and friends – we are alike in many ways and at similar points in our careers,” said Kenseth. “This is a great opportunity for me to be a resource for two extremely talented drivers and help on the racing operations side with this transition to Toyota. I’m really looking forward to seeing what we can accomplish together.”
FORT WORTH, TX – NOVEMBER 03: Matt Kenseth, driver of the #20 Home Depot „Let’s Do This“ Toyota, … [+] and Jimmie Johnson, driver of the #48 Lowe’s Chevrolet, during the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series AAA Texas 500 at Texas Motor Speedway on November 3, 2013 in Fort Worth, Texas. (Photo by Tom Pennington/NASCAR via Getty Images)
NASCAR via Getty ImagesKenseth will also help the team transition to Toyota from the Chevrolets they currently race.
“Not only is Matt an excellent driver and a fierce competitor, he’s also a great friend,” Johnson said. “This alliance makes so much sense. Matt is extremely smart, has worked with Toyota while racing for Joe Gibbs Racing, and is still as competitive as ever. He’s a natural-born athlete and as fit as I have ever seen him. I’m so glad he is willing to share his knowledge and experience with us, and we look forward to all Matt has to offer.”
Joey Cohen, Legacy’s vice president of racing operations, worked with Kenseth at Roush Racing when Cohen was an engineer for the team.
“Matt is going to help make this transition to Toyota smooth,” said Cohen. “He is one of the best drivers out there, and even though he is no longer behind the wheel, his perspective and advice will be crucial heading into next season for both our drivers and crews.”