DHL 400, Michigan International Speedway, June 20th, 2004
Matt Kenseth
Team: No. 17 Carhartt Ford Taurus
Owner: Jack Roush/Mark Martin
Crew Chief: Robbie Reiser
Chassis: #34 (finished fourth at Fontana earlier this year)
Matt Kenseth on racing at Michigan International Speedway:
“I think Michigan is about as good an example of multi-groove racetracks that we go to on the circuit. The turns are pretty sweeping and you have different lines you can choose throughout the day depending on how the handling affects the car. I have always liked Michigan and I’m anxious to see how this new tire package will affect the times falling off during our runs. Chassis handling will be the key here, unlike last year, when it seemed like fuel mileage was all that counted. It is important, but hopefully it won’t come down to that.”
Crew Chief Robbie Reiser on racing at Michigan International Speedway:
“We’re bringing [chassis] 34. It’s been a great car for us. We used it at California and got us a top five out of the deal and that’s the least we’re expecting here this weekend. These guys are pretty pumped up right now about getting another win.”
Fast Facts
Roush Racing is a subsidiary of Roush Industries, based in nearby Livonia, Mich.
Matt Kenseth remains third in the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup standings after a 21st-place finish at Pocono Raceway one week ago. He is now 224 points out of first place. Kenseth has spent 49 straight weeks inside the “NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series Top 10”—the longest active streak.
This weekend the No. 17 Ford will sport a Carhartt paint scheme, as one of the team’s largest associate sponsors takes over the primary role. Headquartered in nearby Dearborn, Mich., Carhartt (established 110 years ago) manufactures the most rugged, high quality workwear on the market.
Kenseth has one victory (2002), three top-five’s and five top-10 finishes in nine starts at the two-mile track in Michigan. He has led in three events here.
