Matt Kenseth’s 2003 Cup Sequence championship was a turning level within the historical past of the NASCAR Cup Sequence. It led to the normal full-season championship factors format being axed and made manner for the Chase format to be born. Years later, Kenseth hasn’t been in a position to neglect a few of the unfavourable feedback that have been made about his success in that season.
He lifted the trophy with only one Victory Lane go to that yr. This precipitated criticisms that questioned his deservedness to be champion and termed him a “boring” driver. Whereas he didn’t pay heed to most of them, the phrases that got here from Brian France, the previous CEO and Chairman of NASCAR, stung him deep.
“There have been a pair issues I took private,” Kenseth stated to Scene Vault. “However most of it I didn’t. That’s presupposed to be one of many stuff you be taught immediately is to not take something private. However that’s simpler stated than finished.
“So, you already know, I’d say there was some feedback Brian France made to me that I took very private and nonetheless really feel that manner about it.”
France didn’t like the concept all of the conversations have been concerning the factors {that a} driver secured and never concerning the race itself. This was the largest motive he gave for introducing the Chase format as effectively. Being a traditionalist, Kenseth didn’t just like the transfer away and noticed even much less motive to love it as soon as the brand new format got here to play.
He identified that anybody who watches a race on a tv can see that the conversations about factors had solely elevated beneath the brand new format. He additionally believed that every one the speak about playoff factors, stage factors, and qualifying for the Chase fully consumed no matter dialogue could possibly be had a couple of specific race.
He known as it a “fixed barrage of speaking about factors” and nullified the aim that the sanctioning physique was attempting to attain. Kenseth completed because the runner-up in two seasons beneath the Chase format and retired from full-time racing in 2017. He drove a part-time schedule in 2018 and in 2020.
His remaining victory got here at Phoenix in 2017, beneath the playoff format. Now that the game goes again to the Chase format, in 2026, he actually wouldn’t be all that glad about issues.
