Matt Kenseth
Lowe's Motor Speedway
1.5-mile oval, located in Concord, N.C.
Coca-Cola 600
FAST FACTS
Matt Kenseth is the only driver in NASCAR history to win the Coca-Cola 600 as a rookie, when he did so in 2000.
Kenseth has scored four career victories at Lowe’s Motor Speedway; 2000 Coca-Cola 600, 2004 All-Star Race, and two Busch Series wins.
Tracking Kenseth’s turnaround; at this point in 2005 compared to this season
Rank Points Behind Wins Top Fives Top 10s
2006 – 3 1592 -94 1 6 7
2005 – 21 1097 -465 0 0 1
Kenseth has four top-five finishes in six starts in the Coca-Cola 600.
Kenseth made his first career NASCAR Busch Series start at Lowe’s Motor Speedway in May of 1996, driving a Chevrolet for Wegner Racing; he finished 31st.
Kenseth is 12th in the NBS point standings heading into Darlington despite having started only eight of the series 12 events. Remarkably, Kenseth is ahead of 13 drivers who have started in all 12 NBS races this season.
Matt Kenseth – NNCS, Coca-Cola 600
Team: No. 17 R+L Carriers/DEWALT Ford Fusion
Crew Chief: Robbie Reiser
Chassis: RK-323 Last ran in Texas, Apr. ’06; finished 2nd
Won Fontana in Feb. ’06, finished 2nd in Las Vegas Mar. ‘06
RK-280 Tested at Charlotte, last ran Michigan, Jun. ’05; finished 4th
Kenseth on racing at Lowe’s Motor Speedway:
“The 600 should be interesting this year. Well, it’s usually interesting every year, because so much can happen in that extra 100 miles. But, this year particularly with the harder tires and the smaller fuel cells. There are going to be so many pit stops and stops where 40 or more cars are on pit road, because you’re going to have to come down for fuel at least every 30 laps, and that’s assuming it stays green. Pit road becomes very crowded in that situation and that usually means that your chances of running into someone are a lot higher. When you think about it, whether you’ve been out eight or 28 laps, when a caution comes out you’re going to have to pit in order to stay in sequence on fuel.
Crew Chief Robbie Reiser on racing Lowe’s Motor Speedway:
“The pit crews will definitely get a work out this weekend. If the race went green from start to finish, which we all know it won’t, but if it did, you’re going to have to make 13 stops minimum for fuel alone. It’s going to be interesting to say the least. Keeping up with what the other teams are doing on pit strategy is going to be next to impossible, so you better make sure that you have your plan and stick as close to it as possible. We’re running a chassis that has been real good to us so far this year. It won in Fontana and has a couple of second place finishes to go along with that. It’s going to be painted in the R+L Carriers colors this weekend, but we’re hoping for the same result.”
