NASCAR WCUP: Matt Kenseth: Ready to Roll at ‘The Rock’

Posted By Terry Callahan
Motorsports Editor, The Auto Channel

Quoting Matt Kenseth:

Kenseth on racing at‘ The Rock’: "This is the track where we finally turned some heads in the Busch Series. In fact, the 1998 win here in the Busch car is one of my most memorable moments. I was driving for Reiser Enterprises and we came into the race without a sponsor. When I passed Tony Stewart on the last lap for the win, we finally landed a sponsor for the year. That was also the year DEWALT signed on with our team."

Kenseth's reaction to the passing of Dale Earnhardt: "I only knew him a little bit, mostly because of racing against Dale, Jr. He came to the Busch banquet the year Junior won, so I got to spend a little time with him, but what I knew of him was mostly about, you know ‘DALE,’ in capital letters, the legendary, hard-driving champion. It's overwhelming; all of these losses, and it's hard to get over them."

Notes of Interest:

In proud recognition of Matt Kenseth capturing the Raybestos Rookie of the Year title, DEWALT Industrial Tools will continue to run the special Rookie paint scheme. The all-yellow car will feature the Raybestos Rookie of the Year logo on the hood. The paint scheme is the first of as many as four different paint schemes for the 2001 season commemorating DEWALT’s launch of new tools.

Matt Kenseth was one of the drivers who wore the HANS Device at Daytona. “Many drivers feel the HANS is uncomfortable,” stated Kenseth at a preseason press conference. “It takes some getting used to but it increases your chances of safety in a wreck.”

The green flag will drop on the Dura-Lube 400 at 1:00 p.m. EST. FOX and MRN Radio are scheduled to broadcast the event live.

Text Provided By Amy Walsh

Editors Note: To view hundreds of hot racing photos and art, visit The Racing Photo Museum and the Visions of Speed Art Gallery.