Matt Kenseth Joins LEGACY MOTOR CLUB™

Starts as Competition Advisor Immediately

Matt Kenseth with Jimmie Johnson

 

LEGACY MOTOR CLUB™  today announced 2023 NASCAR Hall of Fame inductee and 2003 Winston Cup Series Champion Matt Kenseth as a Competition Advisor. In this role, Kenseth will provide guidance and strategy on the competition side, serving as a mentor to drivers Erik Jones and John Hunter Nemechek, as well as assisting the Club throughout its transition to Toyota for the 2024 season.

 

“Jimmie and I have so much respect for each other as both competitors and friends – we are alike in many ways and at similar points in our careers,” said Kenseth. “This is a great opportunity for me to be a resource for two extremely talented drivers and help on the racing operations side with this transition to Toyota. I’m really looking forward to seeing what we can accomplish together.”

 

Club co-owners Johnson and Maury Gallagher are optimistic about the alliance with Kenseth. As history goes, Johnson and Kenseth’s 2013 NASCAR Cup Series chase to the championship featured a spirited battle between the two drivers. Kenseth won seven races during that season – as opposed to Johnson’s six wins – but after chasing each other for several weeks - including a tie for the points lead leaving Martinsville Speedway - Kenseth finished second to Johnson in the standings and Johnson won his sixth career title.

 

“Not only is Matt an excellent driver and a fierce competitor, he’s also a great friend,” Johnson said. “This alliance makes so much sense. Matt is extremely smart, has worked with Toyota while racing for Joe Gibbs Racing, and is still as competitive as ever. He’s a natural-born athlete and as fit as I have ever seen him. I’m so glad he is willing to share his knowledge and experience with us, and we look forward to all Matt has to offer.”

 

Kenseth, who stepped away from full-time competition in 2020 has stayed busy with family, competing in the 2022 Boston Marathon where he finished with a time of 3:01:40, and celebrating his 2023 NASCAR Hall of Fame induction. Over the course of his 20-year Cup Series career, Kenseth had 39 victories at 19 different tracks and won the 2003 Winston Cup Series Championship. Kenseth is a two-time DAYTONA 500 champion, the 2000 Rookie of the Year, a Southern 500 winner, a Coca-Cola 600 winner, and the 2004 International Race of Champions (IROC) champion. He qualified for the “NASCAR Playoffs” in 13 of 14 seasons attempted. In addition to his 39 wins, Kenseth recorded 182 top-five and 331 top-10 finishes in 697 starts, as well as 20 pole position awards.

 

Kenseth and Joey Cohen, LEGACY MOTOR CLUB’s vice president of racing operations, worked together at Roush Racing when Cohen was an engineer for the team.

 

“Matt is going to help make this transition to Toyota smooth,” said Cohen. “He is one of the best drivers out there, and even though he is no longer behind the wheel, his perspective and advice will be crucial heading into next season for both our drivers and crews.”

 

Kenseth will assume the role within LEGACY MOTOR CLUB immediately.

 

Announcing our Competition Advisor, Matt Kenseth! He is joining the Club effective immediately. Welcome 🤩https://t.co/FIGiqqwbCf pic.twitter.com/KDOTTAHrb2

— LEGACY MOTOR CLUB (@LEGACYMotorClub) October 10, 2023

 

source: Legacy Motor Club Media

2022 #NASCAR Hall of Fame Inductees

Hershel McGriff (Driver), Matt Kenseth (Driver),  Kirk Shelmerdine (Crew Chief)

Each year, three inductees from a pool of fifteen significant contributors to the sport of NASCAR are selected to the NASCAR Hall of Fame.

 

With an extensive list of accomplishments throughout their careers, , Hershel McGriff , Matt Kenseth and Kirk Shelmerdine have secured their place in NASCAR history.

 

We're just ONE MONTH away from Induction 2023.Setting the stage for a night to remember,this year Hershel McGriff, Kirk Shelmerdine & Matt Kenseth will be officially inducted into the NASCAR Hall of Fame.

Join us for a weekend celebrating NASCAR legends:https://t.co/tQDgEik8GQ pic.twitter.com/G6l5NElrbh

— NASCAR Hall of Fame (@NASCARHall) December 20, 2022

Hershel McGriff

McGriff exhibited a competitive passion that lasted longer than any driver in NASCAR history.

Hershel McGriff looks on as his crew goes to work on his
Oldsmobile in the first Carrera Panamericana in 1950.

 

His first race was the 1950 Southern 500, in the NASCAR Cup Series' sophomore season, at the age of 22.

 

His final NASCAR race was at Tucson Speedway in the NASCAR Pro Series West – in 2018 at the age of 90.

 

McGriff started 85 races in parts of 28 NASCAR Cup Series seasons, capturing four wins – all in 1954, when he finished sixth in championship points.

 

But McGriff was one of the best drivers in what is now known as the ARCA Menards Series West. Competing in parts of 35 seasons, McGriff won 37 races, good for third on the all-time West Series wins list.

 

His signature year came in 1986 when he won the series title, part of a string of 10 consecutive seasons with finishes in the top 10 of championship points.

 

In 1998, McGriff was named one of NASCAR’s 50 Greatest Drivers.

 

Matt Kenseth

Kenseth’s unassuming, every-man demeanor disguised an inarguable truth: He was one of NASCAR’s greatest drivers ever.

The emotions flowed freely for the usually staid Matt Kenseth
after his victory in the 2012 Daytona 500.

 

A quick glance at Matt Kenseth's resume would prove his brilliance behind the wheel.

 

Over 18 full-time seasons Kenseth quietly filled his trophy cases, conquering every major milestone on the Cup Series schedule including two Daytona 500s, the Southern 500, Coca-Cola 600 and the All-Star Race. His 39 Cup wins tie for 21st on the all-time list and include wins at 19 of the 23 tracks at which he competed more than once.

 

His crowning achievement was his 2003 Cup Series championship, a thoroughly impressive season in which he led the points standings for the final 32 weeks of the season. And though he ‘only’ captured that one title, Kenseth was consistently in championship contention – he made the Playoffs in 13 of 14 seasons and finished runner-up twice.

 

Success came early to the 2000 Cup Series Rookie of the Year. He finished sixth in his first Cup Series start and finished runner-up in the standings in his first Xfinity Series season. Kenseth has 29 career Xfinity wins, eighth-best all time.

 

Kirk Shelmerdine

Shelmerdine won four premier series championships with Dale Earnhardt in the late 1980s and early 1990s.

Kirk Shelmerdine – Champion #NASCAR Crew Chief With Dale Sr.

 

Not many reach the pinnacle of their professions as quickly as Kirk Shelmerdine.

 

At age 25 in 1983, Shelmerdine guided Ricky Rudd to victory at Riverside, the first of two wins during that season. And a scant three years later, he directed Dale Earnhardt to the 1986 Cup Series championship.

 

More than a flash in the pan, Shelmerdine won four total Cup Series championships with Earnhardt (1986, ’87, ’90, ’91). Over his 16-year crew chief career with Earnhardt, Rudd, James Hylton and Richard Childress, he won 46 races and posted top-10 finishes in more than half his starts.

 

In 1987, Shelmerdine won 11 races with Earnhardt, including four in a row and six of seven.

 

Shelmerdine retired from life as a crew chief in 1992 to pursue a career as a driver. In the cockpit, he made 41 starts across all three NASCAR national series.

 

It’s our honor to introduce the NASCAR Hall of Fame Class of 2023 Inductees Matt Kenseth, Hershel McGriff and Kirk Shelmerdine. #NASCARHall #NASCARHOF #NASCAR #NASCARHistory #racing pic.twitter.com/PQRLpnN19v

— NASCAR Hall of Fame (@NASCARHall) May 4, 2022

 

source: NASCAR Hall of Fame Media