Matt Kenseth was a guy that I would always forget to mention when I talked about contenders for a race, and yet he would always be up near the front at the end of the race. He was a phenomenal driver, and a deserving Hall of Famer.
Matt Kenseth is a deserving Hall of Famer. He won two Daytona 500s actually on rain delays. His biggest moment was winning the championship in 2003, they only won one race at Las Vegas but they could have won some more but they were always in contention to win that year and they pulled off probably the most convincing win in decades. It means a lot more now because that was the final champion of the Winston era I grew up with. I never expected Matt Kenseth to take home the hardware that year, but the man got it done and he went and won North Carolina and Las Vegas back-to-back the next year.
Kenseth's championship year, he did that with their engines producing about 25 hp less than most of the other teams out there, you can look up Jayski's dyno test reports from that season
Geez, that explains a lot. That is one thing that made me wonder about that team, they always looked a tad behind on horsepower. But they got it done and Roush has always done things to make a point but he had the best driver lineup during those days. Martin, Kenseth, Biffle, Kurt Busch, and Jeff Burton and later Carl Edwards.
My favourite Kenseth moment is his win in Dover 2016, because it was amazing to me how he was able to hold Larson and Elliott behind him for like 40 laps. Every turn I thought Larson will pass him, but somehow, Matt managed to stay in front.
Good video. Even as a Joey Logano fan Matt Kenseth is underrated and deserves to be in the HOF. I remember cheering for him to win the 2020 Brickyard 400.
Man that Roush Dewalt 17 Race Car is Iconic, growing up in the 2000's I remember Matt Kenseth racing, plus added that car to my diecast collection 🏁 👏🏆
Yep same Matt Kenseth was kind of like Jeff Gordon in some ways. He just there when it counts and when he went to JGR he reminded me even more of Jeff Gordon. Especially with the Husky paint scheme
I am 29 years old and grew up a Mark Martin fan. Kenseth was my #2 driver after Mark Martin, basically I was team Roush all the way, still am, but happy for Kenseth. I started following NASCAR in about 1999 or 2000. 2001 I believe is when I watched the entire season (As much as I could since I did not grow up with cable TV).
I was at that 2016 Spring Dover race and it was such a great battle amongst Kenseth, Larson, and Elliott, but my favorite Kenseth moment (and I saw this in person as well) has to be that 2015 Pocono fuel mileage win when both Kyle Busch and Logano ran out of gas and the crowd went nuts!
That Phoenix race where he got his final win was my first ever time at Phoenix Raceway, and I wasn't even a Kenseth fan at the time (Even though he's from my home state of Wisconsin), but I was so honored and so happy to be there in person for his final win. He really was just a great guy
Matt Kenneth was a very talented driver on the track and he raced everyone fairly unless you did something to make him mad at him which we can recall that day in Martinsville. Congrats Matt! and the rest of Class of 2023!!!!
Matt Kenseth vs. Jimmie Johnson at Texas was on my birthday (November 4th). Watching Jimmie nabbed the win was a special moment and one of the driving forces of me staying a Jimmie johnson fan to this day! (He would win again on my birthday and announce his NASCAR return on Nov. 4 as well so there's that too lol)
As a Tony Stewart and Kevin Harvick fan I never was a big Matt kenseth fan but always appreciated his talent and craft behind the wheel. He reminded me a lot of David Pearson. Never one to go out and dominate the race but was always around at the end when it was go time. Truly an under appreciated driver
As a Gordon fan, I always had nothing but respect for Kenseth. I'm glad you got to enjoy a good portion of Kenseth's career and I know just how thrilled you feel this week. Congrats to Kenseth on a fantastic career.
I watched Matt race locally here in Wisconsin from when he was 16 years old. It wasn't uncommon when he was really showing his talents on a Friday night to watch him race Robby Riser, Dick Trickle, Rich Bickle Jr, and other various NASCAR stars paying a visit to Madison International Speedway. You just knew he was going to be big! I have a ton of hero cards he signed from his local days and other items. Someday Eric when I go through the boxes of NASCAR as I do want to then that down I'll pull a sampling of them to send to you.
Thanks for the Matt Kenseth memories. I remember his 1998 win at Rockingham vividly, as I just discovered the Busch Series after watching the Winston Cup series in 1997. Seeing that unsponsored car getting a win for a small family team was great. I always considered him the "underdog" when battling Dale Jr. throughout 98 and 99, and I appreciated his down-to-earth personality, and always giving praise to his team when they had success.
I went back and rewatched the last 40 laps of the 2016 Dover race when I saw you talking about it on Twitter last week. I remembered it being good racing/a good finish, but that's an understatement because it was way better than I even remembered it.
Matt K was a great guy, though not my 100 favorite driver, he was one I would root for every now and again, sad his career is over but he got a lot of wins, and seeing how hard it is to win in nascar, he was a great driver Good job with ur buds keep up the great work 👇
Something that stings about his final win is that if he didn't get disqualified for having too many men over the wall in Kansas for the round of 12, his win would've locked him into the championship 4. And who knows? With more support, he might've come close
Totally get where you're coming from re: pride, emotions, and feeling a part of it all. Harvick's been my #1 guy most of his career. I've cried over wins, losses, breaking losing streaks. When he goes into the Hall I'll probably lose it. We invest so much of our time and hearts into our favorites. I've spent the better part of 23 years watching Harvick during race weekends. What to do when he retires? As a side note, I'm a BIG Kenseth fan and I was emotional when he won at Phoenix. Most real/true fans get where you're coming from. You SHOULD be proud. It's a big deal.
The 2005 Bristol Night Race is the first race I ever watched flag to flag. My cousin told me Jeff Gordon would win. I thought that was ridiculous because he drove a Chevy. Kenseth won and I remember it fondly. I still remember Reed Sorensen running in a 41 car with no front end body work on it.
Matt Kenseth is one of the all time greats if you ask me. Great video, Eric! Would love more videos of this style for other drivers you’re a big fan of!
Even though I miss Matt, I never really cared for him cuz to be honest, he had no personality but what he did to Joey back in that 2015 Martinsville race made me like him. Congratulations to Matt on making it to the HOF👍
As a HMS fan since 95, I remember watching Kenseth’s first race at Dover and followed his career. The list is a little weird but you did great highlighting important moments!
Y’know, as a Kasey Kahne fan, I always despised Kenseth in my teen years of watching Nascar. 😂 Felt like every time my boy Kasey got close to that first win, Kenseth managed to fend him off or sneak by, stealing the show. But nowadays, I can respect Kenseth a ton. The man is so quiet but focused, and has an aura of intensity about him that not many others have. You can just feel the talent. Congrats to him. PS- Honorable mention for me was the stealth takedown of Keselowski in between the haulers. Kenseth: *silent ambush* Keselowski, going down: “You hit me under yella!”
Great, and I mean GREAT, AMAZING video here Eric. Wow! Well put together and great clips, you pointed out so many little things in every moment that us NASCAR fans cherish without even barely knowing we do, like differing pit strategies at Texas VS JJ. Just a very well put together video man. Love your content. Thank you so much for making this your job, you deserve a raise.
From that moment at Dover for BIll Elliott, I was a fan. I loved that he flew under the radar most of the time and loved his dry sense of humor. Im like you, I shed a tear when he won that last race. I was hoping for more but... HE'S IN THE HALL OF FAME! Congrats Matt!
I was at that Phoenix race where he got his final career win and it was an awesome moment. Wasn't a Kenseth fan but always respected him, and it was really cool to see his emotions from winning that race and see all the drivers and fans give him the respect he deserved and earned.
Growing up a Kenseth fan was the best. My bedroom was painted DeWalt black and yellow and I never missed a race if I could. Two moments that always stick out for me: homestead 2005 when he lit the track on fire after winning the Busch race, And a couple of years later when he and Robbie Reiser dominated and won their last race together, also the last race before the COT. Always a class act and a clean, hard racer! Appreciate the Kenseth content, Eric!
Big fan always of Matt. Such a nice guy met him in Florida he was just a real down to earth guy. Many years ago. Was the last WINSTON cup champion. Love ya Matt ❤
I was fortunate to see the 17 win in person at 2005 Bristol Night race...talk about being proud seeing your driver win! Growing up in Wisconsin I have seen many wins at WIR and Slinger. The competition between Dale Jr and Kenseth in the Busch series was some of the best racing ever!
Great vid Eric. Matt is one of my all time favorites and enjoyed this list. I would have him winning the championship first, but I was lucky enough to watch it happen.
I was at that 2016 Dover race, jumping up and down screaming and cheering like crazy as Matt battled Larson, and the lady behind me tapped me on the shoulder and quite rudely told me to sit down because she could see. I almost cursed her out. Then I almost yelled at her and told her to STAND UP! But then, before I said either of those two things, I realized that the row I was in had some empty space, and so did the row behind me, so I just moved over into the empty space and continued to jump up and down and scream.
Lots of respect for Matt Kenseth. I’ve always been a Chevy and Earnhardt fan (I know my channel is all about Jeeps but I’m a Chevy guy) My favorite memories of Matt were the seasons he and Dale Jr battle in the Busch series and those first few seasons of their careers in cup (when Jr was still a regular contender) Also loved the doughnut on the door of the 8 car when Dale won the night race at Daytona. respect
Whoa - You left out the best until you gave it a brief mention at the end. I always liked Matt and his dry humor. Plus the fact that he was a Hall of Fame driver behind the wheel. The best day ever was when he put the lowlife that deserves to be put into the wall on lap 1 of every race into the wall at Martinsville. Everybody became a Matt Kenseth fan that day! It was the last time I was off the couch and shouting at the TV during a NASCAR race. Long live Matt Kenseth! I wish he was on a broadcast team. NASCAR needs guys like Matt talking about racing.
I could argue the fact that I feel I'm the biggest Matt Kenseth fan. I've seen every race that he ever raced in the Bush series in Cup series. I too have been to the Kenseth museum. My favorite memory of Matt Kenseth was being at Chicagoland in 2013 when he won that race. So happy he made the HOF. I'm planning on going down to the HOF this year just because of that.
Texas and 2007 Matt Kenseth was a strange combo. He finished second in both those races, but took part in two of the greatest finishing battles that season and in Texas Motor Speedway history. Not just the fall race versus Jimmie Johnson but also the spring race battling ex-teammate Jeff Burton. Personally I preferred the battle with Burton, but both those finishes and those races overall were fantastic!
You being a Matt Kenseth fan is the reason I found your channel and subscribe to watch all your content. Been a Matt Kenseth fan from the time he moved Tony Stewart to win his first nascar race. Always a fan of Roush Racing and Mark Martin made it better we he drove for Roush. My two young girls wife and me would allways make the 2 hour trip to Cambridge and stand in line for hours in the cold two get a wrist band for a autograft . Matt and his family were always kind.
In 1991/92, I used to sell the gas to the drivers at Madison International Speedway, Matt's home track and he just dominated. Another cat named Robbie Reiser was his main competitor so it was all class for Robbie to give Matt a chance in his car
Feel the same way about Kurt Busch. I think you and I are roughly the same age Eric. Been along with you for the same ride. Matt Kenseth was always a driver I respected. As NASCAR fans there isn’t usually many you like. A lot more you don’t. Always liked Matt. Thought he was terrific.
Hey Eric, I was shocked you didn't go to the induction ceremony! I know you're further than I was, but I did drive 11 hours to see Tony Stewart get inducted into the Nascar Hall of Fame. A once in a lifetime opportunity to see your hero be honored like that. It's a shame you missed it, but you definitely have to get to the HOF sometime this year to see Matt's special display.
matt is just the dude that was always there. even after the height of the roush fenway days, he was just always there, and was quiet. he was a good friend with dale jr their whole careers from busch even. i'm saying his best moment was wanging sliced bread into the wall.
I got into Nascar in 2003 along with my older brother and dad. I didn't know who to cheer for but liked the colors of MKs car so I picked Kenseth as my driver. So glad that I did, got a chance to meet him at the 2005 Daytona 500, super nice guy. Always admired his skill as a wheelman but also that he wasn't dirty and kept a calm head for the most part. Love that he was inducted to the HOF. Will still rock my #17 DeWalt fear with pride and hope I get a chance to meet him again someday to congratulate him on a great career.
Have to vote for Matt's first start in the #94 Bill Elliott Wavy Gravy car. I happen to attend that race. PS Matt also had a good race the day before in the Busch race. as well
As a Kasey Kahne fan, Kenseth was a thorn in my side. But there's no denying his greatness and impact on the sport. He deserves that Hall of Fame spot, my respect goes out to him.
This video brought back a lot of great memories of being a Kenseth fan. I was surprised you never mentioned his incident with Keselowski at the trailer. Although not a positive one it is a very memorable one because he wasn’t the type to be that frustrated and confront someone in that manner. So glad he’s in the Hall of Fame
Thanks Eric for the memories,I was at the Bristol race when Matt and Tony crashed out ,was at the Talladega race Danica and Matt crashed out ,and fortunate to be at the last Michigan race he one at ,what a awesome feeling finally seeing your driver bring home the Checkers
My top 10 moments of Matt Kenseth's career 10. Winning the 2009 Daytona 500 9. Finishing 10th in his first race with Chip Ganassi, and the first race after the shutdowns of 2020. 8. Wrecking Joey Logano at Martinsville in 2015 7. Winning the 2000 Coca Cola 600 6. Winning the Fall 2012 race at Talladega 5. Winning the 2003 Nascar Winston Cup championship 4. Winning the 2012 Daytona 500 3. His run ins with Tony Stewart 2. Winning the 2005 Bristol night race 1. His last win
2003 was first time I watch entire season of NASCAR. I had most of the races not all recorded on VHS tapes back then. He only did win 1 race that year but he was the most consistent driver all year and deserved the championship . He never qualified towards the front but at the end of the race. He was running in the top 5-10.
I think you were the only bigger Kenseth fan than I am/was. I was a fan of him since his Busch days, i saw what he did with less compared to Jr, plus I was a big Mark Martin fan in the 90s. My PERSONAL favorite Matt Kenseth moments were: 20 years ago, Kyle Petty's charity ride stopped in the town I live in and I sat with he and Katie while they had their lunch, I met him over a dozen times at the track (mainly Texas) or at appearances and I have over 2 dozen signed items. 10 years ago I was in Michigan for the June weekend and at the Roush museum they had the '09 Daytona winning car and the '12 Talladega Pink winning car side-by-side, and so I got my picture in-between both of them. My first 2 cup races were both the '07 Texas races where he finished 2nd in both, I didn't sit down the lat hundred laps of either of those races, back when Texas was worth going to. In '16 he had the Q&A at the Toyota display at Texas, I have the screen shots and you were actually not too far from me, and the last year ('17) I said he had been my favorite driver for 20 years and I asked if I could get one last photo with him and he said oh absolutely. I was as big of a Kenseth fan as you are, I never got to see him win a Cup race in person but I think wherever he won at you could hear me cheering from my house.
In 1999 I was running a fantasy league and my buddy who had Bobby Labonte on his team. I called the guy and asked him if wanted to use a back up driver or stick with Kenseth who was subbing for Bobby.. Mattgot a top 10 in Labonte's place. I was totally behind the decision. Matty was definitely a super sub before he went full time in Cup
As a Wisconsin Native Matt Was one of my favorites as well next to Jeff Gordon I went to the museum when it was open many times in fact I met his cousin once when she was helping me get ready for a doctor's appointment when I was younger Matt was one of many reasons i got into racing as a fan
As a fellow Kenseth fanatic, I can agree with you that the 2016 Phoenix race still keeps me up at night lol. It’s honestly why I have a hard time liking Alex Bowman to this day, even though that wreck wasn’t really his fault
The most emotional I have ever been over a sporting event is when my Cubs Best the Indians in game 7 to Win the World Series. I cried like I’ve never cried before.
i was at my local Bowling alley in upstate NY today, and i seen a fellow fan with you Out Of the Grove shirt on.. made me smile to see a kid in my area supporting you
Not a huge fan of Matt but I do have a favorite moment. There was a girl who was the spokesmodel for my production company and she moved to Texas. She had a gig as a Crown Royal girl. She texted me to tell me that and I texted her back to say that Matt Kenseth will win. Sure enough, he did.
Kenseth is a deserving Hall of Famer. I was lucky to see his entire career and got to meet him a couple of times at autograph session. Growing up with JR, in some ways made it easy to be a fan of his because of the friendship and respect they for each other., He was always my favorite Ford driver and then my favorite Toyota driver. Granted you may not like the Martinsville incident, I put it in my top ten.
I hope it sometime soon they put the Hall of Fame awards on television that everybody can watch. I mean all of the NASCAR fans. Not just those who pay for the bird.
I was at the 2016 Dover spring race. It was my first time being at a nascar race and really my first full season following the sport of Nascar, since I only leaned about nascar halfway through the 2015 season. Even though my favorite driver wrecked in the giant pile up on the front stretch cause Jimmie Johnson did not go, the racing between Kenseth and Larson the last 20 laps was awesome!
Speaking of Kenseth, I find it funny how Logano fans like to get up on their high horse and say things like “say what you want about Logano but he’s one of the best drivers of this generation” and how you should respect certain drivers but that all goes out the window once you mention Matt Kenseth.
@@Pen2ke Ya think? Joey should've just bumped Matt out of the way instead of spinning him out. Besides, Joey really didn't need to win the race cuz he was already locked in. Joey pulled a Ty Gibbs move on Matt and shit like that pisses me off😡
Matt Kenseth was a guy that I would always forget to mention when I talked about contenders for a race, and yet he would always be up near the front at the end of the race. He was a phenomenal driver, and a deserving Hall of Famer.
Matt Kenseth is a deserving Hall of Famer. He won two Daytona 500s actually on rain delays. His biggest moment was winning the championship in 2003, they only won one race at Las Vegas but they could have won some more but they were always in contention to win that year and they pulled off probably the most convincing win in decades. It means a lot more now because that was the final champion of the Winston era I grew up with. I never expected Matt Kenseth to take home the hardware that year, but the man got it done and he went and won North Carolina and Las Vegas back-to-back the next year.
Kenseth's championship year, he did that with their engines producing about 25 hp less than most of the other teams out there, you can look up Jayski's dyno test reports from that season
Geez, that explains a lot. That is one thing that made me wonder about that team, they always looked a tad behind on horsepower. But they got it done and Roush has always done things to make a point but he had the best driver lineup during those days. Martin, Kenseth, Biffle, Kurt Busch, and Jeff Burton and later Carl Edwards.
Kenseth is the reason the classic system went bye bye
@@christianfehr8652 Sounds like Jack's the reason for it! Man, had he had the extra hp, he may have won a few more races!
@@christianfehr8652 that and Brian France disliked Kenseth
My favourite Kenseth moment is his win in Dover 2016, because it was amazing to me how he was able to hold Larson and Elliott behind him for like 40 laps. Every turn I thought Larson will pass him, but somehow, Matt managed to stay in front.
Good video. Even as a Joey Logano fan Matt Kenseth is underrated and deserves to be in the HOF. I remember cheering for him to win the 2020 Brickyard 400.
1:00: 2013 Southern 500 2003 UAW-Dailmer Chrysler 400 2004 Subway 400 2012 Goodside 500 and 2018 Brickyard 400 (Honorable Mentions)
3:38: 1998 MBNA Gold 400 (#10)
4:15: 2007 Dickies 500 (#9)
5:37: 1998 GM Goodwrench 200 (#8)
6:35: 2013 Kobalt Tools 400 (#7)
7:10: 2005 Sharpie 400 (#6)
8:08: 2004 The Nextel (#5)
8:44: 2016 Austim Speaks (#4)
9:48: 2000 Coca-Cola 600 (#3)
10:29: 2012 Daytona 500 (#2)
12:17: 2017 Can-Am 500 (#1)
Man that Roush Dewalt 17 Race Car is Iconic, growing up in the 2000's I remember Matt Kenseth racing, plus added that car to my diecast collection 🏁 👏🏆
Yep same Matt Kenseth was kind of like Jeff Gordon in some ways. He just there when it counts and when he went to JGR he reminded me even more of Jeff Gordon. Especially with the Husky paint scheme
I am 29 years old and grew up a Mark Martin fan. Kenseth was my #2 driver after Mark Martin, basically I was team Roush all the way, still am, but happy for Kenseth. I started following NASCAR in about 1999 or 2000. 2001 I believe is when I watched the entire season (As much as I could since I did not grow up with cable TV).
As a Joey fan I was not as mad as people may think after Martinsville in 15 so yeah congratulations to Matt loved watching him race.
Suspending Kenseth for that is what caused NASCAR to decline...imolol
They suspended the wrong guy.
I can agree with that.
I was at that 2016 Spring Dover race and it was such a great battle amongst Kenseth, Larson, and Elliott, but my favorite Kenseth moment (and I saw this in person as well) has to be that 2015 Pocono fuel mileage win when both Kyle Busch and Logano ran out of gas and the crowd went nuts!
People forget his 2006 season was even more consistent with more wins than 2003 statistically.
A shame Jimmie Johnson quashed that by winning.
That Phoenix race where he got his final win was my first ever time at Phoenix Raceway, and I wasn't even a Kenseth fan at the time (Even though he's from my home state of Wisconsin), but I was so honored and so happy to be there in person for his final win. He really was just a great guy
Matt Kenneth was a very talented driver on the track and he raced everyone fairly unless you did something to make him mad at him which we can recall that day in Martinsville. Congrats Matt! and the rest of Class of 2023!!!!
Matt Kenseth vs. Jimmie Johnson at Texas was on my birthday (November 4th).
Watching Jimmie nabbed the win was a special moment and one of the driving forces of me staying a Jimmie johnson fan to this day! (He would win again on my birthday and announce his NASCAR return on Nov. 4 as well so there's that too lol)
As a Tony Stewart and Kevin Harvick fan I never was a big Matt kenseth fan but always appreciated his talent and craft behind the wheel. He reminded me a lot of David Pearson. Never one to go out and dominate the race but was always around at the end when it was go time. Truly an under appreciated driver
Same
As a Gordon fan, I always had nothing but respect for Kenseth. I'm glad you got to enjoy a good portion of Kenseth's career and I know just how thrilled you feel this week. Congrats to Kenseth on a fantastic career.
I watched Matt race locally here in Wisconsin from when he was 16 years old. It wasn't uncommon when he was really showing his talents on a Friday night to watch him race Robby Riser, Dick Trickle, Rich Bickle Jr, and other various NASCAR stars paying a visit to Madison International Speedway. You just knew he was going to be big! I have a ton of hero cards he signed from his local days and other items. Someday Eric when I go through the boxes of NASCAR as I do want to then that down I'll pull a sampling of them to send to you.
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0:04
Herschel McGriff looks amazing for 95 years old.
And Kirk Shelmerdine looks like that kid who hates picture day
Certainly will always remain my favorite driver. Can't ever replace him 💛🖤
Thanks for the Matt Kenseth memories. I remember his 1998 win at Rockingham vividly, as I just discovered the Busch Series after watching the Winston Cup series in 1997. Seeing that unsponsored car getting a win for a small family team was great. I always considered him the "underdog" when battling Dale Jr. throughout 98 and 99, and I appreciated his down-to-earth personality, and always giving praise to his team when they had success.
I went back and rewatched the last 40 laps of the 2016 Dover race when I saw you talking about it on Twitter last week. I remembered it being good racing/a good finish, but that's an understatement because it was way better than I even remembered it.
i was lucky enough to meet Matt a few times and see him win both his Daytona 500's such a great dude and glad they got him in the HOF
Matt K was a great guy, though not my 100 favorite driver, he was one I would root for every now and again, sad his career is over but he got a lot of wins, and seeing how hard it is to win in nascar, he was a great driver
Good job with ur buds keep up the great work
👇
Something that stings about his final win is that if he didn't get disqualified for having too many men over the wall in Kansas for the round of 12, his win would've locked him into the championship 4. And who knows? With more support, he might've come close
Totally get where you're coming from re: pride, emotions, and feeling a part of it all. Harvick's been my #1 guy most of his career. I've cried over wins, losses, breaking losing streaks. When he goes into the Hall I'll probably lose it. We invest so much of our time and hearts into our favorites. I've spent the better part of 23 years watching Harvick during race weekends. What to do when he retires? As a side note, I'm a BIG Kenseth fan and I was emotional when he won at Phoenix. Most real/true fans get where you're coming from. You SHOULD be proud. It's a big deal.
Been a Matt Kensenth forever. I know it's a light HOF year so thanx for highlighting some top moments from his career
The 2005 Bristol Night Race is the first race I ever watched flag to flag. My cousin told me Jeff Gordon would win. I thought that was ridiculous because he drove a Chevy. Kenseth won and I remember it fondly.
I still remember Reed Sorensen running in a 41 car with no front end body work on it.
As someone who grew up in Wisconsin. Matt Kenseth has always had a sweet spot in my heart.
_well, as Matt Kenseth says, “only my jokes are funny._
-Denny Hamlin 2021
Matt Kenseth is one of the all time greats if you ask me. Great video, Eric! Would love more videos of this style for other drivers you’re a big fan of!
Even though I miss Matt, I never really cared for him cuz to be honest, he had no personality but what he did to Joey back in that 2015 Martinsville race made me like him. Congratulations to Matt on making it to the HOF👍
As a HMS fan since 95, I remember watching Kenseth’s first race at Dover and followed his career. The list is a little weird but you did great highlighting important moments!
He also won the pole for the 2018 all star race during his return to Jack Roush
Y’know, as a Kasey Kahne fan, I always despised Kenseth in my teen years of watching Nascar. 😂 Felt like every time my boy Kasey got close to that first win, Kenseth managed to fend him off or sneak by, stealing the show.
But nowadays, I can respect Kenseth a ton. The man is so quiet but focused, and has an aura of intensity about him that not many others have. You can just feel the talent. Congrats to him.
PS- Honorable mention for me was the stealth takedown of Keselowski in between the haulers.
Kenseth: *silent ambush*
Keselowski, going down: “You hit me under yella!”
LoL I'm sure that 2004 Rockingham race broke you.
Great, and I mean GREAT, AMAZING video here Eric. Wow! Well put together and great clips, you pointed out so many little things in every moment that us NASCAR fans cherish without even barely knowing we do, like differing pit strategies at Texas VS JJ. Just a very well put together video man. Love your content. Thank you so much for making this your job, you deserve a raise.
And an additional plus to this video, that Roush hat. I don’t know why, but it stands out. Beautiful hat.
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From that moment at Dover for BIll Elliott, I was a fan. I loved that he flew under the radar most of the time and loved his dry sense of humor. Im like you, I shed a tear when he won that last race. I was hoping for more but... HE'S IN THE HALL OF FAME! Congrats Matt!
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I was at his first career win at the Coke 600 and his first Daytona 500 win
Another big Kenseth fan here. Pearson and Matt remain my favorite drivers.
I was at that Phoenix race where he got his final career win and it was an awesome moment. Wasn't a Kenseth fan but always respected him, and it was really cool to see his emotions from winning that race and see all the drivers and fans give him the respect he deserved and earned.
Growing up a Kenseth fan was the best. My bedroom was painted DeWalt black and yellow and I never missed a race if I could. Two moments that always stick out for me: homestead 2005 when he lit the track on fire after winning the Busch race, And a couple of years later when he and Robbie Reiser dominated and won their last race together, also the last race before the COT. Always a class act and a clean, hard racer! Appreciate the Kenseth content, Eric!
Big fan always of Matt. Such a nice guy met him in Florida he was just a real down to earth guy. Many years ago. Was the last WINSTON cup champion. Love ya Matt ❤
As a Denny Hamlin during the 2017 Phoenix race I think I was biggest Matt fan ever, I didn’t want Elliot to win so bad after the walled Denny
I was fortunate to see the 17 win in person at 2005 Bristol Night race...talk about being proud seeing your driver win! Growing up in Wisconsin I have seen many wins at WIR and Slinger. The competition between Dale Jr and Kenseth in the Busch series was some of the best racing ever!
Great vid Eric. Matt is one of my all time favorites and enjoyed this list. I would have him winning the championship first, but I was lucky enough to watch it happen.
I saw Matt win in person, 2006 Dover and 2013 Chicagoland.
I was at that 2016 Dover race, jumping up and down screaming and cheering like crazy as Matt battled Larson, and the lady behind me tapped me on the shoulder and quite rudely told me to sit down because she could see. I almost cursed her out. Then I almost yelled at her and told her to STAND UP! But then, before I said either of those two things, I realized that the row I was in had some empty space, and so did the row behind me, so I just moved over into the empty space and continued to jump up and down and scream.
Lots of respect for Matt Kenseth. I’ve always been a Chevy and Earnhardt fan (I know my channel is all about Jeeps but I’m a Chevy guy)
My favorite memories of Matt were the seasons he and Dale Jr battle in the Busch series and those first few seasons of their careers in cup (when Jr was still a regular contender)
Also loved the doughnut on the door of the 8 car when Dale won the night race at Daytona.
respect
Whoa - You left out the best until you gave it a brief mention at the end. I always liked Matt and his dry humor. Plus the fact that he was a Hall of Fame driver behind the wheel. The best day ever was when he put the lowlife that deserves to be put into the wall on lap 1 of every race into the wall at Martinsville. Everybody became a Matt Kenseth fan that day! It was the last time I was off the couch and shouting at the TV during a NASCAR race. Long live Matt Kenseth! I wish he was on a broadcast team. NASCAR needs guys like Matt talking about racing.
I could argue the fact that I feel I'm the biggest Matt Kenseth fan. I've seen every race that he ever raced in the Bush series in Cup series. I too have been to the Kenseth museum. My favorite memory of Matt Kenseth was being at Chicagoland in 2013 when he won that race. So happy he made the HOF. I'm planning on going down to the HOF this year just because of that.
I met Matt a few times at Chicagoland speedway, hes a awesome person to meet, hes a driver thts in my top 5
Eric, you can go see Matt’s 2012 Talladega win on display at the Roush museum in Livonia, MI, as well as a ton of other cool Roush cars!
Texas and 2007 Matt Kenseth was a strange combo. He finished second in both those races, but took part in two of the greatest finishing battles that season and in Texas Motor Speedway history. Not just the fall race versus Jimmie Johnson but also the spring race battling ex-teammate Jeff Burton. Personally I preferred the battle with Burton, but both those finishes and those races overall were fantastic!
My favorite was him intentionally wrecking Joey in 2015! I obviously don’t like Joey and I cheered Matt like he won the race 😂
You being a Matt Kenseth fan is the reason I found your channel and subscribe to watch all your content. Been a Matt Kenseth fan from the time he moved Tony Stewart to win his first nascar race. Always a fan of Roush Racing and Mark Martin made it better we he drove for Roush. My two young girls wife and me would allways make the 2 hour trip to Cambridge and stand in line for hours in the cold two get a wrist band for a autograft . Matt and his family were always kind.
Awesome moments from your favorite driver Eric! Love the finishes and wins he collected throughout his career with the teams he drove for!
In 1991/92, I used to sell the gas to the drivers at Madison International Speedway, Matt's home track and he just dominated. Another cat named Robbie Reiser was his main competitor so it was all class for Robbie to give Matt a chance in his car
Matt’s my favorite as well. I had the championship shirt it was great. I have lots of merch for you
Feel the same way about Kurt Busch. I think you and I are roughly the same age Eric. Been along with you for the same ride. Matt Kenseth was always a driver I respected. As NASCAR fans there isn’t usually many you like. A lot more you don’t. Always liked Matt. Thought he was terrific.
Hey Eric, I was shocked you didn't go to the induction ceremony! I know you're further than I was, but I did drive 11 hours to see Tony Stewart get inducted into the Nascar Hall of Fame. A once in a lifetime opportunity to see your hero be honored like that. It's a shame you missed it, but you definitely have to get to the HOF sometime this year to see Matt's special display.
His last Vegas win in 2003 was on his birthday to, I know that cuz that's my birthday also I became a fan of him that day
Las Vegas*
matt is just the dude that was always there. even after the height of the roush fenway days, he was just always there, and was quiet. he was a good friend with dale jr their whole careers from busch even. i'm saying his best moment was wanging sliced bread into the wall.
I got into Nascar in 2003 along with my older brother and dad. I didn't know who to cheer for but liked the colors of MKs car so I picked Kenseth as my driver. So glad that I did, got a chance to meet him at the 2005 Daytona 500, super nice guy. Always admired his skill as a wheelman but also that he wasn't dirty and kept a calm head for the most part. Love that he was inducted to the HOF. Will still rock my #17 DeWalt fear with pride and hope I get a chance to meet him again someday to congratulate him on a great career.
Before I watch this as a Gordon fan I hope Matt Kenseth’s Sharpie 500 win is on here
Have to vote for Matt's first start in the #94 Bill Elliott Wavy Gravy car. I happen to attend that race. PS Matt also had a good race the day before in the Busch race. as well
As a Kasey Kahne fan, Kenseth was a thorn in my side. But there's no denying his greatness and impact on the sport. He deserves that Hall of Fame spot, my respect goes out to him.
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Honestly my favorite joey logano moment 🤣😂 Kenseth was awesome too watch for years
that 2012 Daytona 500 will always be my favorite kenseth moment was just so absolutely amazing and exciting to see him win that race
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This video brought back a lot of great memories of being a Kenseth fan. I was surprised you never mentioned his incident with Keselowski at the trailer. Although not a positive one it is a very memorable one because he wasn’t the type to be that frustrated and confront someone in that manner. So glad he’s in the Hall of Fame
I’m so happy to see him in the Hall of Fame
Thanks Eric for the memories,I was at the Bristol race when Matt and Tony crashed out ,was at the Talladega race Danica and Matt crashed out ,and fortunate to be at the last Michigan race he one at ,what a awesome feeling finally seeing your driver bring home the Checkers
Yep, Getting a 6th at Dover for Bill..... I was there....
My top 10 moments of Matt Kenseth's career
10. Winning the 2009 Daytona 500
9. Finishing 10th in his first race with Chip Ganassi, and the first race after the shutdowns of 2020.
8. Wrecking Joey Logano at Martinsville in 2015
7. Winning the 2000 Coca Cola 600
6. Winning the Fall 2012 race at Talladega
5. Winning the 2003 Nascar Winston Cup championship
4. Winning the 2012 Daytona 500
3. His run ins with Tony Stewart
2. Winning the 2005 Bristol night race
1. His last win
My favorite Kenseth moment was when he took out Joey!!🤣😂. Matt was a great role model and a respectful driver other than the Joey payback.
2003 was first time I watch entire season of NASCAR. I had most of the races not all recorded on VHS tapes back then. He only did win 1 race that year but he was the most consistent driver all year and deserved the championship . He never qualified towards the front but at the end of the race. He was running in the top 5-10.
bro, if the Matt Kenseth Museum was open, I would live there.
Can we talk about kenseth making a dramatic change switching from rousch to JGR influenced harvick going from RCR to SHR and winning a championship?
I think you were the only bigger Kenseth fan than I am/was. I was a fan of him since his Busch days, i saw what he did with less compared to Jr, plus I was a big Mark Martin fan in the 90s. My PERSONAL favorite Matt Kenseth moments were: 20 years ago, Kyle Petty's charity ride stopped in the town I live in and I sat with he and Katie while they had their lunch, I met him over a dozen times at the track (mainly Texas) or at appearances and I have over 2 dozen signed items. 10 years ago I was in Michigan for the June weekend and at the Roush museum they had the '09 Daytona winning car and the '12 Talladega Pink winning car side-by-side, and so I got my picture in-between both of them. My first 2 cup races were both the '07 Texas races where he finished 2nd in both, I didn't sit down the lat hundred laps of either of those races, back when Texas was worth going to. In '16 he had the Q&A at the Toyota display at Texas, I have the screen shots and you were actually not too far from me, and the last year ('17) I said he had been my favorite driver for 20 years and I asked if I could get one last photo with him and he said oh absolutely. I was as big of a Kenseth fan as you are, I never got to see him win a Cup race in person but I think wherever he won at you could hear me cheering from my house.
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In 1999 I was running a fantasy league and my buddy who had Bobby Labonte on his team. I called the guy and asked him if wanted to use a back up driver or stick with Kenseth who was subbing for Bobby.. Mattgot a top 10 in Labonte's place. I was totally behind the decision. Matty was definitely a super sub before he went full time in Cup
When you knock Tony Stewart out of the way to get your first win in the Busch Series at Rockingham, you might be Matt Kenseth...lol
As a Wisconsin Native Matt Was one of my favorites as well next to Jeff Gordon I went to the museum when it was open many times in fact I met his cousin once when she was helping me get ready for a doctor's appointment when I was younger Matt was one of many reasons i got into racing as a fan
As a fellow Kenseth fanatic, I can agree with you that the 2016 Phoenix race still keeps me up at night lol. It’s honestly why I have a hard time liking Alex Bowman to this day, even though that wreck wasn’t really his fault
The most emotional I have ever been over a sporting event is when my Cubs Best the Indians in game 7 to Win the World Series. I cried like I’ve never cried before.
One minor correction, I believe the 44 car that Tony Stewart was driving in '98 was not a JGR car, but a Labonte-owned car.
i was at my local Bowling alley in upstate NY today, and i seen a fellow fan with you Out Of the Grove shirt on.. made me smile to see a kid in my area supporting you
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I feel like Bobby Labonte has finished 2nd so many times. Like when Earnhardt won at Atlanta, and the 2005 Coke 600 with JJ.
Not a huge fan of Matt but I do have a favorite moment. There was a girl who was the spokesmodel for my production company and she moved to Texas. She had a gig as a Crown Royal girl. She texted me to tell me that and I texted her back to say that Matt Kenseth will win. Sure enough, he did.
I just clicked here but I'm betting I was at 1 of his top ten moments I was at Charlotte when won the coke 600 his first win
Kenseth is a deserving Hall of Famer. I was lucky to see his entire career and got to meet him a couple of times at autograph session. Growing up with JR, in some ways made it easy to be a fan of his because of the friendship and respect they for each other., He was always my favorite Ford driver and then my favorite Toyota driver. Granted you may not like the Martinsville incident, I put it in my top ten.
my fav Kenseth moment was the Bristol incident with Jeff Gordon.
Love the new angle and mic setup !
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I hope it sometime soon they put the Hall of Fame awards on television that everybody can watch. I mean all of the NASCAR fans. Not just those who pay for the bird.
Kenseth and Gordon’s last win 💯
Loving me some Kenseth! I might challenge for biggest Kenseth fan on the internet... 🤣🤣🤣
I'm a big Jimmie Johnson fan so I feel the way you feel about Matt
I was at the 2016 Dover spring race. It was my first time being at a nascar race and really my first full season following the sport of Nascar, since I only leaned about nascar halfway through the 2015 season. Even though my favorite driver wrecked in the giant pile up on the front stretch cause Jimmie Johnson did not go, the racing between Kenseth and Larson the last 20 laps was awesome!
The fans that only remember Matt for the Logano incident are just casuals
Staying up all night with my dad during 2012 Daytona 500
Number 1 for all of us is Martinsville 2015
Speaking of Kenseth, I find it funny how Logano fans like to get up on their high horse and say things like “say what you want about Logano but he’s one of the best drivers of this generation” and how you should respect certain drivers but that all goes out the window once you mention Matt Kenseth.
Logano fans respect Matt i dunno what you're saying
@@Pen2ke kek. go to any facespace post about mattyk's inauguration and there's plenty of self proclaimed slice bread fans that are talking shit.
@@bighunterman77 Personally Matt was chopping Joey off at Kansas and Joey had every right to be mad. But he probably shouldn't have spun him.
@@Pen2ke Ya think? Joey should've just bumped Matt out of the way instead of spinning him out. Besides, Joey really didn't need to win the race cuz he was already locked in. Joey pulled a Ty Gibbs move on Matt and shit like that pisses me off😡
Ohio's Biggest Matt Kenseth fan here loved the video
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Matt Kenseth is a contender for the:
"All Time Piece of Shit" award!
---signed former die hard Matt Kenseth fan from about 2k to 2012!