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RICHMOND, VA – SEPTEMBER 12: Matt Kenseth, driver of the #20 Dollar General Toyota, celebrates in Victory Lane after winning the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Federated Auto Parts 400 at Richmond International Raceway in Richmond, Virginia. (Photo by Jonathan Moore/NASCAR via Getty Images)

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RICHMOND, VA – SEPTEMBER 12: Matt Kenseth, driver of the #20 Dollar General Toyota, celebrates in Victory Lane after winning the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Federated Auto Parts 400 at Richmond International Raceway in Richmond, Virginia. (Photo by Jonathan Moore/NASCAR via Getty Images)
The 2022 year couldn’t be any better for Matt Kenseth. The former NASCAR Cup and Xfinity series driver is the new nominee for the NASCAR Hall of Fame. To make a case for him, Dale Earnhardt Jr and Steve Letarte come up.
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The 2003 Cup Series Champion Matt is chosen to be one among the ten nominees for the Hall of Fame. Kenseth is a legend at NASCAR, who has participated in 697 races in the span of 22 years for the cup series. The 50-year-old took 39 wins and 20 pole positions in the Cup Series. Whereas, he took 29 wins and 17 poles in the Xfinity series spanned across 19 years.
Talking about his hall of fame induction, NBC NASCAR analyst Steven conveyed, “On the ballot for the NASCAR hall of fame Matt Kenseth. A NASCAR champion, a true great racer no matter who you were with, he was the guy you’re going to have to grind and race against.”
What's the best part about @mattkenseth being added to the #NASCARHOF ballot? @SteveLetarte has the answer. pic.twitter.com/twMRtYuMXm
— NASCAR (@NASCAR) April 5, 2022
“But I think what’s gonna be most exciting is when Matt steps out from behind the steering wheel, takes the helmet off and the fans get to know the dry sense of humour, the witty Matt Kenseth.”
“A great person with a huge heart who loves racing. He was great for NASCAR and it’s great to see get his chances and recognition in the hall of fame.”, the former crew chief at Hendrick Motorsports further asserted.
Dale Earnhardt Jr. has been supportive of the former champion
The semi-retired NASCAR driver Dale Earnhardt Jr also voiced his support for Kenseth. Dale raced with Matt several times. Back in 1998 and 1999, Earnhardt Jr beat Matt Kenseth in the Busch Series Championship. Much of Matt’s early career was spent under Dale’s performance and his overwhelming expectations of greatness.
I think Matt is first ballot. We came into the sport together and he has a cup ring. Shelmerdine belongs in and like Larry is overlooked for more recognizable names and somewhat lost in dads shadow. Larry should already be in there. https://t.co/RDshZ7ILxs
— Dale Earnhardt Jr. (@DaleJr) April 5, 2022
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However, drivers made their full-time Cup Series debut in 2000. ESPN covered the story with “Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Matt Kenseth are on your tail” as their main title.
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While Dale made it to the center of the magazine, Kenseth was a little behind. All in all, it’s nice to see two of the sport’s greats have been supportive of each other of late. It’ll be interesting to see how this turns out in the end.
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