Matt Kenseth

Tennessee Racing

Tennessee Racing

Formerly Stewart Fan
Joined
Sep 16, 2009
Messages
14,386
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Tennessee
Talk about a sophomore slump, he's having one for sure at JGR. He was the man at points last year, this year he can barely stay in the top 15.
 
Stewart Fan said:
Talk about a sophomore slump, he's having one for sure at JGR. He was dominate at points last year, this year he can barely stay in the top 15.
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Technically, he's second in points. If Gordon slips up & Kenseth stays on the ball without a win he gets in for being the leader. JGR as a whole has not performed at the level of Penske or HMS all year. Still got plenty of races to go & I think he'll get a win, even if he has to steal one.

But, does he even care anymore?
 
look at hamlin and kyle busch. kyle lucked into the win at auto club because jimmy blew a tire or something. hamlin has won on a plate track other than that they really haven't sniffed a win. all of the toyotas are off right now.
 
DanicaFreak said:
JGR is not having the best year anyway
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All 3 of their cars will be in the Chase though. Kyle and Denny have wins, and although Kenseth doesn't have one yet, it's becoming pretty clear we won't have 16 different winners by the end of the night at Richmond. Kenseth should have enough points to get in.
 
they can't balance horsepower and fuel milage
 
ToyYoda said:
I think the win and you're in format is making it seem like Kenseth's having a worse year than he actually is.
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Bingo. Four of five TRD Toyotas are in Chase position. Get to the party, and then let's play.
 
can't remember if i seen it or read it. it was before Daytona. said they have the horsepower to lead a lot of laps and contend for the wins, but could not equal the fuel mileage. especially the fords. said their balance wasn't off much.
 
when cars are cutting engines on warm up laps and then every chance they're able after. fuel mileage wins could start to be the normal as long as you're on lead lap
 
BobbyFord said:
Well, we see Jimmie and Kevin leading and winning with Hendrick horsepower. It's time the other teams take note.
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you're right......i bet they would pay for their notes
 
pudge said:
can't remember if i seen it or read it. it was before Daytona. said they have the horsepower to lead a lot of laps and contend for the wins, but could not equal the fuel mileage. especially the fords. said their balance wasn't off much.
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Were they talking plate motors or open motors?
 
Revman said:
Were they talking plate motors or open motors?
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they weren't talking plate, and also they thought they had a real good short track package to run.
 
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has Gibbs done any testing?
 
Matt will do alright. I think it would be funny if he wins the cup without winning a race. His championship was all about consistency, the Chase was added to promote winning. With the current trend for "win and in", Matt is the guy that can show what consistency is all about.
 
Zerkfitting said:
Matt will do alright. I think it would be funny if he wins the cup without winning a race. His championship was all about consistency, the Chase was added to promote winning. With the current trend for "win and in", Matt is the guy that can show what consistency is all about.
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Brian blew up the championship format last time Kenseth won it, hopefully Kenseth will win it again and this stupid format will get blown up as well.
 
ChexOrWrex said:
Technically, he's second in points. If Gordon slips up & Kenseth stays on the ball without a win he gets in for being the leader. JGR as a whole has not performed at the level of Penske or HMS all year. Still got plenty of races to go & I think he'll get a win, even if he has to steal one.

But, does he even care anymore?
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You should probably make a thread asking this question. While you are at it, be sure to congratulate DPK too.
 
I've listened to his radio for every lap of every race but one this season. The issue is aero balance more than any other factor. The new rule changes completely left the entire JGR organization behind. With that said, I think Matt and Jason have done a really really good job getting the best result possible at nearly every track this year. This is actually very much like his championship season in 2003. Rarely ran in the top two or three but was always, always running near the front at the last stop.

By my math, Matt's chances to win before the chase are down to three. Kentucky, Michigan and Daytona are all tracks he's been (historically strong) at. The summer schedule is not very kind to him with flat ovals and road courses. His win at Loudon last year was one of the most surprising races since I've started watching Matt in the mid 90s.

My guess is that they'll be the first team in the chase without a win.
 
This seems to be the norm now (for people not named Jimmie Johnson); the runner up tends to have a less-than-stellar following season. Matt's been running well, but he definitely doesn't seem like the guy to beat like he did last year.
 
Matt is finding out just how hard it is to win one of these things in a Gibbs car, they gave him the best of everything last year to win a cup and he almost did. They are giving him the best they got this year and he will be lucky to get a win at all. I got to hear all last season how Matt was the greatest thing since the flush toilet, he best get in gear if he is going to give Gibbs that cup
 
Hold on, what I see is that a lot of teams have caught up to and past Gibbs, just a little bit, when it comes to the gen 6 car. Gibbs found it early last year. The other thing is Hendricks has sure found a few more HP out of their engines. Mat is doing very well in the points for no wins, again, Mr. consistent.
 
sdj said:
Hold on, what I see is that a lot of teams have caught up to and past Gibbs, just a little bit, when it comes to the gen 6 car. Gibbs found it early last year. The other thing is Hendricks has sure found a few more HP out of their engines. Mat is doing very well in the points for no wins, again, Mr. consistent.
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With the 0 Ride Height, everything changed with the Gen 6. Apples to oranges. I also think that there is probably more to the Hendrick engine than top end. I think that the top end of all of these motors is close. What sets the Hendrick engine apart IMO is that it pulls quicker with more torque than the others. This is probably a drivability thing more than an outright HP thing. Matt is maximizing his stuff right now which isn't as good as it need to be.
 
Kyle18fan said:
Matt is finding out just how hard it is to win one of these things in a Gibbs car, they gave him the best of everything last year to win a cup and he almost did. They are giving him the best they got this year and he will be lucky to get a win at all. I got to hear all last season how Matt was the greatest thing since the flush toilet, he best get in gear if he is going to give Gibbs that cup
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Hard for me to imagine that there isn't enough engineering strength between TRD and JGR to figure this thing out. I really believe that this is about 1) A tight condition brought about by the 0 Ride Height that the JGR drives hate, and 2) A lack of communication between CC's and drivers. Jimmie and Chad overcame a set up tendency that JJ hates. JGR has been unable to do the same. Factor in the Hendrick motor, and this has been an ass kicking.
 
jdbrew said:
I've listened to his radio for every lap of every race but one this season. The issue is aero balance more than any other factor. The new rule changes completely left the entire JGR organization behind. With that said, I think Matt and Jason have done a really really good job getting the best result possible at nearly every track this year. This is actually very much like his championship season in 2003. Rarely ran in the top two or three but was always, always running near the front at the last stop.

By my math, Matt's chances to win before the chase are down to three. Kentucky, Michigan and Daytona are all tracks he's been (historically strong) at. The summer schedule is not very kind to him with flat ovals and road courses. His win at Loudon last year was one of the most surprising races since I've started watching Matt in the mid 90s.

My guess is that they'll be the first team in the chase without a win.
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Daytona = No
Kentucky = No
Michigan = No

He won't make the chase while he is driving for JGR with this package.
 
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