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NASCAR WCUP: Matt Kenseth gets second top ten in a row at Talladega

18 October 2000

Posted By Terry Callahan
Motorsports Editor, The Auto Channel

Matt Kenseth and the DEWALT Racing Team tested at North Carolina Speedway on October 10 and 11 in preparation for the Pop Secret 400.

Kenseth grabbed his second top ten finish in a row this past weekend at Talladega. Matt finished 9th at Charlotte two weeks ago and 10th at Talladega.

Matt has increased his lead to 27 points over Dale Earnhardt Jr., in the 2000 Rookie of the Year battle. This is the largest lead Matt has experienced over Dale Jr., season.

Matt Kenseth's Thoughts on Talladega

"A lot has changed since I won my first Busch Series race at Rockingham in 1998. We seem to struggle at 'The Rock' in a Winston Cup car. In the spring race we qualified well but I made a mistake during the race and got into the wall and bent the suspension. We tested there last week and it went OK. We didn't find anything earth shattering. I am glad we're getting back into my favorite tracks again. Racing on a one mile banked track is something I really enjoy. Rockingham is a track I have fun racing on."

NASCAR Winston Cup Series Raybestos Rookie of the Year Standings

1. Matt Kenseth 265
2. Dale Earnhardt, Jr. 238 (-27)
3. Dave Blaney 188
4. Stacy Compton 175
5. Scott Pruett 172

Text Provided By Robyn A. Leibold

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