Kenseth leaves RFR at Season's End; Stenhouse to Replace Kenseth in #17

[thepolishkid88]

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) -- NASCAR points leader Matt Kenseth is leaving Roush Fenway Racing at the end of the season, and Ricky Stenhouse Jr. will be promoted to his seat in the Sprint Cup Series.

There was widespread speculation last weekend at Sonoma that Kenseth was leaving to join Joe Gibbs Racing, but Kenseth declined before Sunday's race to discuss his future with the organization he has been with for all but one of his 452 career starts.

Roush announced Tuesday that Kenseth is moving on at the end of the year, without disclosing a reason.

"I'd like to thank Matt Kenseth for his many years of loyal service," team co-owner Jack Roush said in a statement. "Matt has been an integral part of this organization for well over a decade, and we are extremely appreciative of his accomplishments and contributions to the team, and will always consider him a part of the Roush Fenway family."

http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories...06-26-10-56-17

[everblades2]

If he goes to a Toyota team, I am going to be pissed! I've already lost my old favorite, Truex, to the dark side....

[kam]

What team is going to have an open seat next season? I know Lagonos career at Gibbs depends on this season but what else is available? Maybe Montoya gets the can after this year?

[thepolishkid88]

Originally Posted by kam

What team is going to have an open seat next season? I know Lagonos career at Gibbs depends on this season but what else is available? Maybe Montoya gets the can after this year?

Well he apparently isnt going to Gibbs just yet. The thought is he will take Logano's seat in the #20.

As far as next season Hendrick stands to be the only team with no driver turnover. Stewart-Haas has said Newman is open to leaving, Penske is proably going to let Allmendinger walk, Gibbs will add a 4th team if they can, EGR has said they are open to moving drivers around and McMurray is on the hot seat, Regan Smith is close to losing his job after a rough year, and Richard Petty Racing has said Ambrose may move on to better opportunites in the sport and may have a seat with the #9 or even the #43 with Almiorla on a one year deal.

So in summary there are roughly 8-9 drivers whose futures are open for debate. Also can't forget Vickers might be stepping into a 4th car for MWR, however he is apparently getting a divorce from Buffy so it depends on the money he has and if he has any time depending on if the divorce is dragged out.

[thepolishkid88]

Originally Posted by everblades2

If he goes to a Toyota team, I am going to be pissed! I've already lost my old favorite, Truex, to the dark side....

I was laughing we had just finally got his diecasts in with all his new sponsors. Welp, so much for that! Half off!

I hope he goes to SHR, that would be awesome. Penske was the other heavily rumored team but I don't know if he would go to Penske.

[kam]

Originally Posted by thepolishkid88

Well he apparently isnt going to Gibbs just yet. The thought is he will take Logano's seat in the #20.

As far as next season Hendrick stands to be the only team with no driver turnover. Stewart-Haas has said Newman is open to leaving, Penske is proably going to let Allmendinger walk, Gibbs will add a 4th team if they can, EGR has said they are open to moving drivers around and McMurray is on the hot seat, Regan Smith is close to losing his job after a rough year, and Richard Petty Racing has said Ambrose may move on to better opportunites in the sport and may have a seat with the #9 or even the #43 with Almiorla on a one year deal.

So in summary there are roughly 8-9 drivers whose futures are open for debate. Also can't forget Vickers might be stepping into a 4th car for MWR, however he is apparently getting a divorce from Buffy so it depends on the money he has and if he has any time depending on if the divorce is dragged out.

Yea a few seats will be available but not much as far as a top ride. I didn't know about Newmans situation but now I see Kenseth only going to a competitive team like SHR or Gibbs really. Penske going to Ford makes me think it will be a rough year for them, rumors are that Petty may be going back to Dodge so they are going to suck again and I don't think Waltrip is ready for a 4th car yet.

Ganassi needs to keep McMurray and let Montoya go, that experiment has failed as much as I hate to admit it and I was hoping Montoya would prove the doubters wrong. Regardless, there should be a lot of shuffling this off season

[thepolishkid88]

Originally Posted by kam

Yea a few seats will be available but not much as far as a top ride. I didn't know about Newmans situation but now I see Kenseth only going to a competitive team like SHR or Gibbs really. Penske going to Ford makes me think it will be a rough year for them, rumors are that Petty may be going back to Dodge so they are going to suck again and I don't think Waltrip is ready for a 4th car yet.

Ganassi needs to keep McMurray and let Montoya go, that experiment has failed as much as I hate to admit it and I was hoping Montoya would prove the doubters wrong. Regardless, there should be a lot of shuffling this off season

Don't forget RCR will have room for a 4th team next year as well, and there have been rumors that Menard may want to leave.

I agree with you on the Montoya part, but honestly I'd hope both would belet go because neither has done much since McMurray won Daytona and Indy. To think they had Trevor Bayne at one time is just amazing. I think I counted 6 former EGR drivers with rides in the Sprint Cup Series. Yet they somehow still have Montoya pilioting a car where he is really a contender at 3 races a year.

[kam]

Originally Posted by thepolishkid88

Don't forget RCR will have room for a 4th team next year as well, and there have been rumors that Menard may want to leave.

I agree with you on the Montoya part, but honestly I'd hope both would belet go because neither has done much since McMurray won Daytona and Indy. To think they had Trevor Bayne at one time is just amazing. I think I counted 6 former EGR drivers with rides in the Sprint Cup Series. Yet they somehow still have Montoya pilioting a car where he is really a contender at 3 races a year.

What I don't get about that is how is RCR going to have a 4th team when they dumped Bowyer because of lack of sponsorship and kept Menard only because of his dads money? Without Menard money where are the dollars coming from?

[thepolishkid88]

Originally Posted by kam

What I don't get about that is how is RCR going to have a 4th team when they dumped Bowyer because of lack of sponsorship and kept Menard only because of his dads money? Without Menard money where are the dollars coming from?

The problem with keeping Bowyer was what he wanted and partly his desire to be the star of a race team. He obviously wasn't going to get that at RCR with Harvick.

Menard is good to go wherever he wants to go to be honest. As you said his father is funding a good portion of that race team. To me RCR is going to 4 teams within the next 3 years. Harvick, Menard (if still there), Austin and Ty Dillion will all be up at the cup level.

There was some talk of American Ethanol moving to be a part time sponsor next season for Austin so he can run a partial schedule before a full move in 2014. I never doubt Richard when it comes to finding sponsorship. He could even put his Childress Vineyards on the car if he wanted.

[everblades2]

Originally Posted by thepolishkid88

I was laughing we had just finally got his diecasts in with all his new sponsors. Welp, so much for that! Half off!

I hope he goes to SHR, that would be awesome. Penske was the other heavily rumored team but I don't know if he would go to Penske.

I'd love to see him go to Stewart Haas. He'd make a pretty solid tandem with Smoke and Tony has already said he's only driving a Chevy. It will be real interesting to see who moves where over the offseason, though. At this point, we can only speculate.

[thepolishkid88]

Originally Posted by everblades2

I'd love to see him go to Stewart Haas. He'd make a pretty solid tandem with Smoke and Tony has already said he's only driving a Chevy. It will be real interesting to see who moves where over the offseason, though. At this point, we can only speculate.

Exactly it will be a very wild off season. So many drivers will be switching teams.