Matt Kenseth Article EXTRA

[FS Bowles]

Hey guys,

I wondered what your thoughts were on the Kenseth article. How the article came about in part was based off a conversation I had with Matt back in New York City this Decemb er. We were at the banquet, and I was asking him some questions for SI and Racing Magazine. The topic turned to whether Kenseth thought he had to "elevate his game" with Mark Martin leaving Roush, and he gave an interesting answer:

"The thing Mark Martin was good at was recruiting people," he said at the time. "People came and worked at Roush Racing because Mark Martin was there. It's a big loss with him leaving, moralewise and all that, but eventually you move on and people replace you and you just go on." He went on to explain that he really didn't feel like himself personally was the one that needed to step up...that if he, Jamie, Carl, and Greg each took a slightly bigger piece of the pie, then things would be fine.

That was the thing about it; Kenseth didn't feel like his accomplishments had set him apart from everyone else in the group, similar to what Martin's accomplishments had done before him. And Matt's personality, great as it is, never seems to lend itself to a leadership role. His talents on the race track certainly speak for themselves...but with the rest of Roush in desperate need to pull itself out of a hole, should he be responsible for more than that?

So, that's where I was coming from this week. Hope to hear what you think!

[racin_girl72]

I thought it was a good article (not just sucking up).  I do think Matt has to be under a certain amount of extra pressure being the "vet" at RFR now.  Especially with Biffle and Edwards seeming a bit "off" this year and McMurray still not living up to his hype.

[flamehothead]

I have alway's said that there was WAY too much Hype over J.Mcmurray and IMO it was just because of his win at Charolotte. I think we all know that there is Something going on at Roush racing for the simple fact of how M.Martin is running so far this year with him leading the Point's since 2002. Martin is running VERY well so far and I don't look for him to let up anytime soon. Granted M.Kenseth won at California but that is a strong track for Roush EVERY year. I think time will tell if there is a problem at Roush besides the Ford Fusion not running well or him not getting enought backing from Ford but we all know that's not the case. I honestly think that if even if every team member took a bigger piece of the Pie that still won't do it and I'm not sure what will.

[MLove]

I really enjoyed the article. The pressure shouldn't solely be on Matt, but spread out over himself Biffle and Edwards IMO. Matt may have had the most success, but Biffle is the perfect example of a driver who has come up through the ranks with a truck and Busch championship with Roush while Edwards' personality outshines them all. The problem is, Biffle and Edwards need to really step ut their game this year after a poor '06 season.

[supermod52]

I'm not sure that any of the teams today have a "leader" as such.  Each driver has a ton of responsibility and time to give to his sponsors and that doesn't allow much for "team building".  I don't see much "team" in the top names anyway.  Matt Kenseth is a totally different personality from his teammates.  McMurray still has a lot to prove and his stay may be short-lived.  Edwards is the outspoken driver of the bunch and sometimes is not too complimentary of his teammates.  This could probably be said of Hendricks, Yates, Ganassi and Evernham.  None seem to have what I would call a "lead" driver.  Gordon is supposed to have that role at Hendricks, but I doubt that he has the time and I wonder who would listen.
This is still an "everyman for himself" sport when you get right down to it.  With the amount of money involved, I don't think it could be anything else.

Denny

[smyler]

We all know it is consistency that wins championships, but bad luck can lose them.  Take a look at last season.  Carl might have made the chase, more than likely, if not for a few wrecks that were not of his causing.  You can't have an extra 3 DNF's in one season. 

Last week, McMurray was minding his own business.  He had driven a fine race and then he was knocked out.  I don't know how one could call it his fault.  Some might say that you make your own luck, but Kevin Harvick had a blown tire and he was running at the front at the time.  It's sad when good teams have a lot of bad luck, but it's just a fact of life for racers. 

[falcon325]

Last week, McMurray was minding his own business.  He had driven a fine race and then he was knocked out.  I don't know how one could call it his fault.  Some might say that you make your own luck, but Kevin Harvick had a blown tire and he was running at the front at the time. 

That's a very good point, smyler.  I don't know if Jamie has lived up to his early promise, but when you're struggling, at a high-profile team AND you have bad luck, it gets tough.  McMurray may yet prove up.