Matt Kenseth enters the NASCAR Hall of Fame

20 years after his Champion title NASCAR Cup Series, Matt Kenseth will enter the discipline's Hall of Fame this Sunday. Although he started competition late at 16, Kenseth in 18 seasons of the NASCAR Cup Series has conscientiously filled his shelves with the most prestigious trophies in the discipline. In addition to a victory in the All Star Race in 2004, his impressive record includes two Daytona 500s, the Coca Cola 600 in Charlotte and the Southern 500 in Darlington. This legendary hat-trick represents the NASCAR Triple Crown.

A driver appreciated by fans and his peers © NASCAR

In 2000, for his first full season in the Cup Series, he finished his very first race in sixth position before winning at Charlotte, finishing Rookie of the Year. Kenseth has also won 29 rounds in Xfinity, the second NASCAR division, making him the eighth best performer of all time.

His 39 Cup Series victories place him 21st on the list of winningest drivers. Kenseth won on 19 of the 23 tracks on which he competed more than once.

To take the crown in 2003 Matt Kenseth had an exceptional season in several respects. Although he led the general classification during the last 32 races of the season, a record, Kenseth only won one victory during the third round of the season in Las Vegas. Despite only winning "one" title, controversial as it was, Kenseth made the Playoffs 3 times out of a possible 13 and finished runner-up twice in 14 and 2006.

The consecration for Kenseth in 2003 at the end of an exceptional season © NASCAR

His last full season dates back to 2017 with Joe Gibbs Racing. Despite a good 7th place in the championship, Kenseth was dismissed. After competing in a few rounds the following season at the wheel of a Roush Fenway Racing Ford, he was called by Chip Ganassi Racing to replace Kyle Larson who was suspended for the 2020 season following a serious verbal slip during a race. 'iRacing.

One last lap in 2020 © NASCAR

To celebrate his nomination to the Hall of Fame, Kenseth entered the Boston Marathon in April, completing the event in 3 hours. This competitor at heart should not stay away from the circuits for very long, after having dived back into short track races last season with relish.

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