Stenhouse being promoted to the cup series

[bouncer]

Going to be interesting to see what happens with Kenseth.

CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- NASCAR points leader Matt Kenseth is leaving Roush Fenway Racing and the No. 17 Ford at the end of the season, and Ricky Stenhouse Jr. will be promoted to his seat in the Sprint Cup Series.
There has been widespread speculation at Sonoma that Kenseth was leaving to join Joe Gibbs Racing, but Kenseth declined before Sunday's race to discuss his future with the Roush organization, which he has been with for all but one of his 452 career starts.
"I'm very thankful to Jack Roush for the opportunities he's given me over the past 14 years. Together we have enjoyed a lot of success," Kenseth tweeted on Tuesday. "And as a team we are committed as ever to the remainder of the 2012 season and chasing a 3rd sprint cup title for Jack and RFR. Although I have nothing to announce regarding 2013, I feel the timing of this announcement gives RFR ample time to get things lined up..."
Roush did not disclose a reason in announcing Kenseth's departure Tuesday.
"I'd like to thank Matt Kenseth for his many years of loyal service," team co-owner Jack Roush said in a statement. "Matt has been an integral part of this organization for well over a decade, and we are extremely appreciative of his accomplishments and contributions to the team, and will always consider him a part of the Roush Fenway family."
Some in the sport have speculation that Kenseth is headed to Gibbs Racing for either Joey Logano's seat in the No. 20 Toyota, or a fourth car. Gibbs, however, said on June 17 that he planned to re-sign the 22-year-old Logano, whose contract with JGR expires after this season.
"Obviously, we've been together for a long time," Gibbs said that day at Michigan. "We've got a lot invested. He's our guy and we plan on going forward ... right now in the 20 car."
Team president J.D. Gibbs did not respond to a request for a comment Tuesday, and said at Sonoma he could not talk about Kenseth.
Either way, it will be a tremendous change for Kenseth, who has been in the No. 17 Ford his entire career. Kenseth has won 22 Cup races, including two Daytona 500s, and the 2003 championship driving for Roush. In the Nationwide Series, Kenseth has won 26 races driving for Roush.
His relationship with Roush and current general manager Robbie Reiser dates to 1997, when Kenseth first drove Reiser's No. 17 entry. Reiser then became Kenseth's crew chief at Roush in 2000, Kenseth's rookie season.
"Matt and I broke into this sport together, learned the ropes and were able to bring home a championship," Reiser said. "Over the 20 years we have worked with each other, Matt has been a fierce competitor and become a close friend, not only for me, but as a mentor to young drivers like Ricky. I wish Matt nothing but the best for the next phase of his career, and know that we'll remain close."
Kenseth's car has had sponsorship woes the last few years, and Roush is funding a large portion of this year's schedule himself for the 40-year-old Kenseth. The organization dropped David Ragan and its fourth team because of a lack of sponsorship at the end of last season, and also ponied up significant money to re-sign Carl Edwards last season. Roush also signed Greg Biffle to a contract extension last season.
But the team desperately needs a slot for the 24-year-old Stenhouse, who is locked into a long-term contract but has nowhere to go in Roush's Cup lineup. The organization has a similar problem with 2011 Daytona 500 winner Trevor Bayne, who is also in a long-term contract and had his Nationwide Series team shuttered earlier this season because of no funding.
Although Stenhouse will be far cheaper than Kenseth in terms of salary, no reason was given for the split.
"We feel that he is not only a key piece of our team's future, but a key piece of the future of the sport," Roush said of Stenhouse. "Roush Fenway is an organization with a wonderful past and present, as well as an extremely promising future, and I can't think of a better candidate than Ricky to usher in the next era of success for the team."

[Pmurdick25]

This is crazy. Kenseth has been a staple in the 17 ford for so long. It will be interesting to see where he goes. I hope he does good. Probably go to MWR to end his career. Lol.

[nadeau01_johnson48]

Kenseth will end up either taking Logano's job at JGR or getting in a 4th Gibbs car. Maybe Stewart-Haas if they wanna expand. Either way he's too good to not get a top-tier ride.

But good for Kenseth getting away from Roush. Roush is slowly driving his organization into the ground with the way he handles sponsorship.

[INTIMADATOR2007]

Maybe the Tweet @theorangecone put out yesterday had something to show things weren't working out well ,, He tweeted that "A roush" driver told Jack "I dont tell you how to fly your airplane , don't tell me how to drive"....LOL

[bouncer]

Racehub mentioned that more than likely Kenseth already has a deal worked out with Gibbs for next season.

[race crazy]

As an Edwards fan I like this-first off Kenseth has raced carl for years like a complete clown (including this year) and him and Biffle were too buddy buddy to be a 3 car team-it was basically a 2 car team and carl-at least Stenhouse will work with him. Kenseth is a top level driver-hes going to Gibbs for sure-they have something worked out just not announced yet. I cant blame him for leaving when the sponsorship situation at RFR is spotty at best for the 3rd car. I hope he has fun in a toyota though-ask Kyle Busch how them TRD engines are...hes gonna miss his FR9

[scottie28]

As a Kenseth fan, I'm glad he is getting away from Cousin Carl. Carl never was a good teammate. I didn't mind Biffle. He and Kenseth worked pretty well together.

[race crazy]

As a Kenseth fan, I'm glad he is getting away from Cousin Carl. Carl never was a good teammate. I didn't mind Biffle. He and Kenseth worked pretty well together.

lol feeling is mutual on a 99 fan's end as well lol

[bouncer]

Kenseth will end up either taking Logano's job at JGR or getting in a 4th Gibbs car. Maybe Stewart-Haas if they wanna expand. Either way he's too good to not get a top-tier ride.

But good for Kenseth getting away from Roush. Roush is slowly driving his organization into the ground with the way he handles sponsorship.

It's pretty much a giving Patrick is going to Stewart-Haas next year giving that she comes with full sponsorship.

[nadeau01_johnson48]

It's pretty much a giving Patrick is going to Stewart-Haas next year giving that she comes with full sponsorship.

That still leaves SHR with the option of adding one more car if they want to.