No September surprise with Matt Kenseth.

FenderBumper

FenderBumper

The "good old days" ??
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http://espn.go.com/racing/nascar/cu...matt-kenseth-join-no-20-team-joe-gibbs-racing

CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- Joe Gibbs Racing plans to announce next Tuesday that Matt Kenseth will be its newest driver beginning in 2013, ESPN.com has learned.
The 2003 Sprint Cup champion will take over the No. 20 team driven by Joey Logano with Home Depot as his primary sponsor, sources said.
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Kenseth

JGR president J.D. Gibbs said on Saturday at Bristol Motor Speedway he still held out hope of re-signing Logano and adding a fourth team if sponsorship can be found. Logano is not expected to be a part of Tuesday's press conference.
Logano also is a candidate for the No. 22 Cup team at Penske Racing. He recently said he was not interesting in a part-time Cup ride and full-time Nationwide Series ride that was one of his options at JGR.
"He was OK with that until another opportunity came up," Gibbs said of Logano.
Penske Racing owner Roger Penske acknowledged on Saturday that Logano was one of several candidates for the 22 and that he likely would make an announcement on the 22 and whether he would start a third team with Sam Hornish Jr. by the Sept. 16 Chase opener.
Kenseth announced in June he was leaving Roush Fenway Racing after the season. He confirmed then he had a deal with another team, but wasn't allowed to name that team.
Sources said there was a clause in Kenseth's contract at RFR that prevented him from discussing a new team until after an unspecified date in August.
Kenseth has been with RFR since he entered the Cup series fulltime in 2000. He has 22 Cup wins.
 
So this leaves the 22 as the last big time ride undecided.

If you're Pennzoil, who would you want? I'd take Logano. His NNS results prove that given a competitive car he can win with it. And while it may only be the NNS, there are some top tier drivers that he's beating.
 
Logano would be #1 on my list, but Roger is hinting at other candidates. Perhaps he's trying to nudge Joey along. There could be another big ride coming into existance. Roger mostly funded Brads ride in 2010, so maybe he will go that route for Sam. The 39 may go away, and Newman will be screwed.
 
5, 18, 4, 15, 43, 4. Up and down, but you never know. He seems to have Bristol down pretty good, with 2 of his 3 top 5's coming there this year.
 
If I was Joey and Penske offered a contract, I would sign asap, I wouldn't try to negotiate up.
I have been trying to sympathize or believe in Joey, hoping that this year he would start connecting the dots.

I still believe that one day Joey could be a top driver, but it just ain't happening now. Maybe he still is a boy, and I am not trying to snark or disrespect, him. I think that I was a boy to many years myself. Joey could probably go to a Gibbs NWS car may be even a Turner car and whip up on the competition for two or three years. Maybe during that time a killer instinct and maturity would settle in, he would be 25 and ready to do something with the next opportunity then, while still young.

I just have the feeling that the longer Roger waits, the less appealing Joey looks for 2013. His only power statement in cup has been the June Pocono race, I like the kid but his results are to low for a Gibbs car.
The last big Domino is the 22, if I seeded the best likely candidates I would go Vickers, then Hornish, and last of all Logano.
Right after Matts announcement to leave for JGR, and Allmindinger's self destruction my thoughts was that Logano should get the 22, but he just isn't proving he deserves the ride imo.
 
While I think it'll be Joey next year in the 22, I think he could benefit more by running a whole NNW season like JGR reportedly offered him. He's 22 years old, was fast tracked to Cup and his career this far shows he wasn't ready for it. There's so many drivers out there, many I would've chose before Joey. I thought MWR was gonna snatch Vickers but they did not. They resigned Truex in the 56, and Mark still has another season.
 
FenderBumper said:
CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- Joe Gibbs Racing plans to announce next Tuesday that Matt Kenseth will be its newest driver beginning in 2013, ESPN.com has learned.
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Fender, I'm confused. Now is that the Atlanta Tuesday or the Richmond Tuesday? ;)

This news is like knowing what you're going to get for Christmas. I sure hope there are some surprises in that press conference.
 
Who will be in the 17 next year?
Will RFR even field the 17?

Could be Stenhouse. Could be Vickers. Could be Sadler. Could be Logano.

What goes up must come down
Spinnin' wheel got to go 'round
Talkin' 'bout your troubles it's a cryin' sin
Ride a painted pony let the spinnin' wheel spin

Blood Sweat and Tears
 
Right after Kenseth announced he was leaving Roush, it was announced Stenhouse will take over the #17 next year.
 
MRM said:
Right after Kenseth announced he was leaving Roush, it was announced Stenhouse will take over the #17 next year.
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Thanks. I had not heard that. It's a good move for RFR, I think.
But still, Matt cannot talk about where he's going? hmmmm...
Can y'all say Double Standard?
 
Johali said:
22 Hornish, Logano in 3rd car.
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If Penske does go 3 cars next year to fit both Hornish and Logano in more than likely Logano gets the 22, and Hornish will resurrect the 12. Especially if the rumors are true that Hornish's NNS sponsor will move up with him. It just makes since marketing wise.
 
Roger is lucky to have so many choices. Maybe Joey is already in negotiations and trying to get JGR to commit to a fulltime ride for him. Gibbs said Joey was cool with the part time cup ride until Penske made an offer. It's a little strange that Roger tried to bring other drivers into the discussion. I predicted we would see Vickers or another driver in the 22 before Joey accepted, and it's starting to sound like it may go that way.
 
Vickers will be lucky to be parking cars next year - and I don't mean #20. Like dozens of others, he had his shot and blew it. He's used goods and Penske won't give him a second look as he's walking to Logano's motorhome to have Joey's Daddy sign a contract. The writing's on the wall, people - read it.
 
Can't believe I am saying this but MWR could work out for Vickers. They could field a fourth year car, or offer Vickers a secure deal for 2014.

If nothing develops for 2013 and a 2014 pre arrangement is made I am thinking he should run the NWS full 2013 season. Seat time is needed to stay sharp.
 
Greg said:
Can't believe I am saying this but MWR could work out for Vickers. They could field a fourth year car, or offer Vickers a secure deal for 2014.

If nothing develops for 2013 and a 2014 pre arrangement is made I am thinking he should run the NWS full 2013 season. Seat time is needed to stay sharp.
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I am surprise that Turner Motorsports hasn't tapped him yet.
 
#17D500winner said:
Vickers will be lucky to be parking cars next year - and I don't mean #20. Like dozens of others, he had his shot and blew it. He's used goods and Penske won't give him a second look as he's walking to Logano's motorhome to have Joey's Daddy sign a contract. The writing's on the wall, people - read it.
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I don't think it is 100% safe to presume that JLO has the 22 locked up. Since the begininng of the year Penske has always said his main goal for Sam was to get him back to Cup by 2013. I don't see where Rodger has changed is mind or where Sam has made Rodger change his mind. Sure he hasn't won yet this year in NNS, although he did at the end of last year, he is running really well and should be a threat for the championship come Homestead time.

I honestly believe JLO only gets signed to Penske if Rodger can fine sponsorship for a third car. If that happens JLO will be in the 22, and Sam in the 12. If he can't field a third car next year I think it is about an 80% chance Sam gets the 22 ride.
 
If Vickers wants to race he needs, in my humble opinion, to secure a top ride in the NW series and try to win a few races and a championship, as Mr Sadler is trying to do, to try and secure a top ride in cup, as Mr. Sadler is trying to do. I now respect Mr. Sadler more than ever for the way he is sticking to it instead of trying to stay in cup at all costs as a start and parker. Just my opinion.
 
Johali said:
If Vickers wants to race he needs, in my humble opinion, to secure a top ride in the NW series and try to win a few races and a championship, as Mr Sadler is trying to do, to try and secure a top ride in cup, as Mr. Sadler is trying to do. I now respect Mr. Sadler more than ever for the way he is sticking to it instead of trying to stay in cup at all costs as a start and parker. Just my opinion.
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True but I think Sadler will never get an offer for a top line team again, unless he is bringing in a sponsor with him.
 
Greg said:
True but I think Sadler will never get an offer for a top line team again, unless he is bringing in a sponsor with him.
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Which he may get if his attitude and strong will to win keeps increasing. I dont think its all about the wins and championship in NW but more about the wake up call he got when he went looking for a job, couldnt find a good one in cup and decided to hell with this I,m a damn good driver and belong in cup so I'm going to bust my ass to get back up there.
 
I think Sadler is riding the fine line between ready to jump back into Cup, and being a NNS Champion Regular. If Sadler isn't careful he can end up like Todd Bodine or Rod Hornaday. Both those drivers had talent to run really good in NNS and Trucks, but were never really given a true shot at Cup. Sadler had his shot at Cup, so it might be even harder for him now.
 
Johali said:
If Vickers wants to race he needs, in my humble opinion, to secure a top ride in the NW series and try to win a few races and a championship, as Mr Sadler is trying to do,
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Vickers already won the NW championship, although it wasn't against stellar competition. Brian has said he doesn't want to take a step back, but it may be the only way. If he continues to cherry pick tracks and run 5 or 6 races, he'll be the youngest Mark Martin ever. Wait, is that possible?
 
FenderBumper said:
Vickers already won the NW championship, although it wasn't against stellar competition. Brian has said he doesn't want to take a step back, but it may be the only way. If he continues to cherry pick tracks and run 5 or 6 races, he'll be the youngest Mark Martin ever. Wait, is that possible?
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If you look at it, Brian has only completed 1 full season the past 3 years.
 
Man, I had to scroll down about twenty or so threads just to find this one. Where the heck is all of the excitement about today's announcement of Kenseth going to JGR?

Bonus question..... How many new Kenseth threads will we get today as a result of this announcement?
 
dpkimmel2001 said:
Man, I had to scroll down about twenty or so threads just to find this one. Where the heck is all of the excitement about today's announcement of Kenseth going to JGR?

Bonus question..... How many new Kenseth threads will we get today as a result of this announcement?
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I know of a traffic reporter who should be good for 1 or 2. Throw in another 2, and the over/under is 4.
 
This is kinda like knowing what you are getting for Christmas. I sure hope there is something that we've not already heard that will bring much needed life to this story. It would be absolutely awesome if this story had nothing to do with Kenseth at all. It could be a switch to Dodge? I'm just saying.
 
dpkimmel2001 said:
This is kinda like knowing what you are getting for Christmas. I sure hope there is something that we've not already heard that will bring much needed life to this story. It would be absolutely awesome if this story had nothing to do with Kenseth at all. It could be a switch to Dodge? I'm just saying.
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I keep dreaming. A reporter says to Matt "on Tuesday, JGR said they will announce you are joining the team". Matt played dumb and excited "I knew they were announcing something, but I didn't hear them say it was about me". lol
 
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