Matty K to the 42

I am very happy for matts dedicated fans like @Charlie Spencer
I always found him a solid racer and since his run in with Jlo, he has had more of a personality as well.
 
ChexOrWrex said:
Chastain performed well enough in the #6 that he’d do just fine in the #42, arguably better than an older driver out of race shape
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:XXROFL::XXROFL::XXROFL:

Ross is one of my favorite drivers, but, Matt is my all time favorite and I for one am excited to hear this news. Chip made the correct decision for sure.:booya:
 
But but he’s a Ford guy until he isn’t. I want to
thank Ford I mean Toyota I mean Chevrolet for a great car.
 
Putting Kenseth in the 42 makes good sense. As a veteran he can get up to speed with the organization quickly. When he joined Gibbs he finished 2nd in the standings his first year. And he knows how the Gibbs and Roush operations work. He hasn't been in a car for a couple years so I wonder how rusty he is.

I don't think Lagano will ever mess with Matt again.
 
Invisible Guest said:
Nascar ownership hates Matt, so they will probably screw him over not let him compete for championship.
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Nonsense, Nascar banned Larson from competing, they aren't going to run Ganassi out of the sport. Instead they will try to keep him IN the sport. Doesn't matter who is in the seat as long as it isn't Larson. And if Larson completes his re programming :crash:, he is free to compete if anybody wants to hire him.
 
Wow. Surprise of the year so far. Awesome to see Matt Kenseth back. Chip now has two former Cup champions in his seats. Gonna be fun to watch. Although I wish it would’ve been Carl instead.

As far as Ross goes, been saying for two weeks that they wouldn’t put him in that car. At least not yet. Ross has a commitment to Kaulig for Xfinity this year. He also has torn up some cars and needs a little seasoning. The talent is there. I doubt Chip has forgotten about him.

This is about 2020. And keeping the sponsors onboard after the Larson ****show. Would not be surprised to see Matt win a race before the end of the year.
 
I believe this is Matt's first time driving for Team Chevy at the Cup Level, pretty sure that 17 he drove was a Chevy.... at least one of the years he battled with Dale Jr for the Busch Series Title.
 
Snappy D said:
I believe this is Matt's first time driving for Team Chevy at the Cup Level, pretty sure that 17 he drove was a Chevy.... at least one of the years he battled with Dale Jr for the Busch Series Title.
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I have a Racing Champions 1:64th #17 DeWalt Chevy Monte Carlo Busch Series car right here on my desk.
 
donthaveanickname said:
He would need a waiver to be playoff-eligible, though
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I'd be in favor of NASCAR granting a waiver under various circumstances, but not this one. Ganassi fires their driver for cause, and hires a new one... no way would I support granting a waiver for that. But it's NASCAR, so who knows what they'll do..:dual9mm:

StandOnIt said:
... I thought his return to Roush was going to be a step in turning around that organization. but that was a dismal failure. Sorry but the fat lady has already sung. I'm underwhelmed.
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Me too. Nothing against Matt, but I would have hoped that Chip would make a forward-looking move. When Matt un-retired two years ago to drive the 6, I thought it was cool. But then he just looked soooo very ready to hang up his spurs and kick back in the recliner. Now he's two years beyond that, 48 years. Yeah, underwhelmed.
 
LewTheShoe said:
I'd be in favor of NASCAR granting a waiver under various circumstances, but not this one. Ganassi fires their driver for cause, and hires a new one... no way would I support granting a waiver for that. But it's NASCAR, so who knows what they'll do..:dual9mm:
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Sponsors bail, Nascar bans Larson from competing, where are Ganassi and Larson going to go? the CARS series? Nah, the mother ship doesn't want that, get you a driver to fill your seat when we start back up. Not your fault what your driver did to put you in this situation.
 
Formerjackman said:
Well, I have to admit I don't understand that move at all. Instead of trying to improve the team and solidify the driver lineup for 2021, they decided on a seat warmer. As far as this season goes, it "sort of" works, but at the end of the year you are no better off than you were before. Nothing against Kenseth, but you KNOW he won't be in that car in 2021, so you just wasted most of a year.
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Its obvious this wasnt a Chip Ganassi decision alone. Ross Chastain was no brainier but other opinions and contracts came in to play.
 
Chip likes winners, he put matt in that car because he’s a former champ who won in his last full time year of competition and was pushed out for sponsor reasons. Ross is a good long term move, but they want a viable chance this season to win and make the chase
 
DaBiff1618 said:
Chip likes winners, he put matt in that car because he’s a former champ who won in his last full time year of competition and was pushed out for sponsor reasons. Ross is a good long term move, but they want a viable chance this season to win and make the chase
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That's the story on top, lack of sponsors. Ironic that the Jones boy is still driving with Kenseth's sponsors on the car. Preacher Joe couldn't tell the truth if it hit him in the face. He's family.
 
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Chip went "best available". There's plenty of time left for Ross to develop in Xfinity and do his thing.
 
AndyMarquisLive said:
Chastain's a really really really good driver, but aside from the obvious Xfinity commitments, he's probably a tad too aggressive for what Chip Ganassi Racing needs right now.
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I dont even know what this means.. too aggressive? He's a winner and thats what Chip is looking for and why he is under contract. Prior obligations are the ONLY reason he wont be in that seat.
 
Spotter22 said:
I dont even know what this means.. too aggressive? He's a winner and thats what Chip is looking for and why he is under contract. Prior obligations are the ONLY reason he wont be in that seat.
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Why would Chip keep Chastain under contract? Yeah we know the reason. ;) Having said that, if Ross doesn't get the 42 ride next year, Ganassi needs his head examined or he needs to let Ross go for greener pastures.
 
I think this has a chance at being a multi-year move. Largely dependent on how long Kenseth wants to continue and the results, he could go full Gant here. The pairing of him and Kurt should elevate their program. This opens the door for Ross to get snagged by the 48, if he's at the top of their list.
 
StandOnIt said:
Why would Chip keep Chastain under contract? Yeah we know the reason. ;) Having said that, if Ross doesn't get the 42 ride next year, Ganassi needs his head examined or he needs to let Ross go for greener pastures.
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I'll bet the farm Ross will be in it.
 
Turtle84 said:
I think this has a chance at being a multi-year move. Largely dependent on how long Kenseth wants to continue and the results, he could go full Gant here. The pairing of him and Kurt should elevate their program. This opens the door for Ross to get snagged by the 48, if he's at the top of their list.
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Full Gant. I can't quit laughing. Rumor has it that Gant had a piece that had some enhancements Nascar didn't find until later. The Legend of Gant lives on.
 
And another one from the "didnt see this one coming" files, I have feeling its just gonna be one of those years.

I think getting Matt in the car was a good choice.
 
Mixed thoughts.
First and foremost I am happy to see Kenseth back. He is a great driver and one of my favorites. He is first ballot HoF material and he makes the competition more prestigious. He is the quite old school type who speaks the loudest with his skills and performance, he brings the "throw back" type of quality.

On the other hand he is 48 years old. Harry Gant, Mark Martin and Dale Earnhardt were still strong at that age. But based on what I seen with most the odds are against him. I hope that I am wrong on that account I would hate to see his legacy tarnished with a weak finish.

The Logano rivalry is probably the least significant point in my opinion. It can be hyped and generate some promotional smack talk but it seems hollow to me at this point.
You race the track and against 39 other drivers first, an agenda against a single or particular driver is a very limiting thing in my opinion. The Martinsvlle thing is a part of the history and obviously real. But I think both of them are too professional to pursue or continue something that would be so costly to both of them.
There is also the built corporate fun policing stuff that makes it hard to sustain the rivalries. The pressure to get the best possible results for your sponsors and team prevails.

But .... If we somehow get to November 1 with Martinsville as race 35 of 36, and Matt and Joey still in title hunt it all could be back on.
 
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