Kenseth Returns to Visine Chevrolet at Michigan Speedway

DENVER, N.C. - (Aug. 15) – Matt Kenseth returns from an eight-race hiatus to pilot the Visine Chevrolet in the NAPAonline.com 250 at Michigan Speedway on August 19. Kenseth relinquished driving duties to Jason Schuler in early June when the NASCAR Winston Cup Series and Busch Series traveled to separate venues.

“I’m ready to get back in the Visine Chevrolet at Michigan,” Kenseth said. “This is one of those tracks where I feel like if we have a good car we can win.”

The Visine Chevrolet slated to enter the extended, 125-lap race is certainly strong, according to Kenseth. Dubbed “car number two” in the Reiser Enterprises stable, the Chevrolet finished second in March at Atlanta Motor Speedway. The next time Kenseth drove the car was California Speedway in April, where he claimed top honors.

Although the NAPAonline.com 250 means 125 laps for competitors rather than the 100-lap events from previous years, Kenseth said he feels it will make for a more exciting race for the fans.

“This race has always seemed to go quickly, except when you have motor problems,” said Kenseth, referring to his 1999 troubles at Michigan. “More laps really won’t seem to affect the drivers, but it could play into the overall game plan, like pit strategy and fuel mileage, which makes it more interesting for the fans to watch.”

Despite Kenseth’s mid-summer retreat from the Busch Series, he will be well prepared for Michigan Speedway. In his first event in 1997, Kenseth posted an eighth-place finish. He topped that performance the next season by securing the third spot. During the 1999 NAPA 200, Kenseth’s No. 17 entry was plagued by motor troubles throughout the 100-lap event and he finished 22nd.

Kenseth hopes to open the second half of his Visine Racing season just as he did the first half, with a visit to victory lane. Time trials for the NAPAonline.com 250 begin on Thursday, August 17, at 3:15 p.m. ET. The green flag drops at 12 p.m. on August 19, with coverage on ESPN and MRN.