Matt Kenseth Returning to Roush Fenway Racing on Part-Time Basis in 2018

Matt Kenseth announced on Wednesday alongside team owner Jack Roush that he will pilot the No. 6 Wyndham Rewards Ford Fusion on a part-time basis beginning next weekend at the Kansas Speedway. Kenseth will share racing duties with current driver Trevor Bayne across the remainder of the 2018 season.

"It’s not like from the middle of last year until now there hasn’t been any opportunities to go do some things, but you kind of know when something feels right," said Kenseth. "Certainly, to come back and hopefully help Jack, who has done so much obviously for my career, hopefully get Roush Fenway Racing running better again.  I feel like they’ve been definitely trending in the right direction.  Ricky won a couple of races last year at the restrictor plate tracks and, like I said, certainly I feel like RFR is on the upswing."

Before moving on to Joe Gibbs Racing after the 2012 season, Kenseth spent his entire career with Roush Fenway Racing. Kenseth was a member of the organization when it was a powerhouse where all three cars could and did compete for the championship. Kenseth won the title in 2003, the final year under the old points system. Under the new format, should a driver win and have run the full season he would qualify for the playoffs and that was a question that was brought up during the press conference that if Bayne was to win this weekend at Talladega.

“That’s a problem that we hope we have after this weekend.  Obviously, our cars have been really good.  We won last year at this race with the 17, so we would be thrilled if either the 6 or the 17 wins the race this weekend.  That would be a great problem to be facing on Sunday.”

Kenseth's first slated race, as noted above, will be the race next weekend at the Kansas Speedway. Kenseth will also pilot the No. 6 Ford Fusion in the Monster Energy All-Star Race next month. (Koelle,2018)

Photo Credit - Brandon Wright/Brandon Wright Photography

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