"I could have used the bumper to move him out of the way and win the race, but I didn't want to,"That was a concept Matt Kenseth obviously didn't understand, probably because he wasn't looking to win the race. It was a failure that ended with the driver of the big, brown truck seeing red -- and not because of the COT. Dale Jarrett was a little irritated with the Roush-Fenway driver after climbing from his wrecked race car:
Yep, now that DJ is out of the Ford camp, he's firing at will. And you know, he's right. The incident Sunday was just plain stupid. Kenseth was obviously a faster car, and like always he had qualified near the back. Jarrett, ultimately just happy to conserve a past champion's provisional and qualify on time, was riding behind Kyle Petty and looking to make a move into turn 1. However, Matt Kenseth in an Arby's paint scheme, and obviously having Arby's on the mind, just flat drove into the rear of the 44 Toyota. Jarrett half-spun and hit the wall before getting hit in the door by David Gilliland, ending his COT debut."This is not the first time that (Kenseth's) done something like this. Everybody has this great vision that Matt Kenseth is this nice guy on the race track. He is a nice guy away from the track. But he's a rough driver on the race track when he doesn't have to be.
"We'll have a discussion."
Jarrett made sure Kenseth knew of his displeasure before the mandatory ride to the infield car center.
Of course, one can't forget Kenseth's punt of Jeff Gordon for 3rd place last year in the same race on the last lap. Maybe Jarrett is on to something. Wouldn't you love to be a fly on the wall for that phone call?
Anyways, I thought that last year's wreck was worth showing again, mainly because of Kenseth's face after he was pushed. Who would have thought a 5'8'' driver could be so intimidating?
Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Hey, guess what? You're wrong. Here are a few reasons why:
1) Matt had position on DJ. How obvious can you make it? Apparently not obvious enough. Matt had a fender under DJ. Once you get your nose under a car, the other guy needs to go high. This is when the spotter needs to say "Car LOW"
2) Matt didn't spin out DJ, DJ spun out DJ. Why? Matt had the low line and DJ came down on him.
Adam,
Thanks for the response. But I gotta ask.
What race were you watching? The tape definitely shows Matt dive bombing into the corner just 60 or so laps into the race, on a move the even Jeff Burton didn't make to win the race, much less ti battle for a spot deep in the field for.
I wouldn't necessarily say that Kenseth "had" the low line because on corner entry he was still firmly behind Dale.
If I was Burtons car owner I'd be asking "whatya mean you didn't want to win?" Bristol is all about shovin the guy ahead of you.
Bob, it wouldn't surprise me that Richard would expect that shoving considering the other drivers he currently and previously employs(ed)...but I don't think JeffB cares. RCR knew what they were getting when they hired him and I admire his decision to stick to his own driving style.
I like Matt, but you're right TGOM. This is a pattern for him. It's a pattern for most of them, though, which sucks. It's too bad they all don't follow Jeff Burton's reasoning that if you can't win cleanly you aren't really winning.
Jess,
Thanks for the comments. Matt has had his share of incidents in the past couple of years, for sure.
And by the way, I'm the new guy around NASCAR FanHouse... so now you get to deal with me AND TGOM.
Should be fun! Enjoy the site.
-GM
Dale Jarrett will start winning soon and Matt K. will get dealt with. He is such a puss.
Bob: Dale Jarrett will start winning soon? He cant even qualify for races. He is almost out of provisionals and the season had just begun!! After Jarrett held Matt up last year at Bristol when he was like three laps down, I dont blame Matt if he did do it on purpose. That move by Jarrett alowed Kurt Busch to catch Kenseth and win. Also, for all you Jarrett fans, who pushed him to his last win? Thats right, Kenseth is the first person he thanked. Again, Matt wont have to worry about him for much longer because he is almost out of provisionals and wont have a car to drive next season.
it was not jarrets fault.he was in front of kenseth