Just as the talk of billionaire John Menard Jr. pulling the rug out from under his son's racing career starts to heat up, the matter of NASCAR driver Matt Kenseth funding his son's racing finally gets ironed out.The 2003 Winston Cup champion and Ross's mom have been going at it-- through their attorneys, of course--to reach a financial agreement to keep 14 year-old Ross, who has been racing--and winning--since the age of 3, in a set of wheels.
After a yearlong battle, the former couple have finally inked a deal to cover Ross's racing expenses separate from their previous paternity/child support arrangement, which remains intact and unchanged. (h/t MilwaukeeWorld)
Voilà! Ross, who just graduated from the 8th grade with honors, is now the driver of a new late model team! He's already had his first practice and will be announcing his schedule soon.
First things first on Ross's agenda, hang out with dad this weekend and watch him score his second consecutive win at Dover International Raceway--assuming Mother Nature doesn't rain on his parade.
So ... can I get a big "Shame on You!" to everyone who knew nothing of the details of this situation who saw fit to call Ross's mom a gold digger out for millions? Evidence please? What I see--and what the evidence suggests--is a mom trying to do the best for her kid and a dad who wasn't doing his part.
I, for one, am glad Kenseth has stepped up to the plate--even if it did take mom to pitch the ball and a judge to put a bat in his hand. In the longterm, the deal is a home run.















Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
7-11-2008 @ 1:57PM
tegan said...
i think that this crap!!!
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6-03-2007 @ 2:39PM
Baisden3kids said...
TGOM:
I couldn't agree more! It's about time Kenseth stepped up to the plate and helped out his son. Take the Mom out of the equation and just put the child first! I was appauled when I learned that Tony Stewart had stepped in as a "surrogate dad" to Matt's son and was helping to fund his racing instead of his own father doing so. And I am with you...His mother isn't a gold-digger. It's Matt's responsibility to provide for his son, too. There is more to being a father than just paying child/spousal support. You would think Matt would be proud of his son and would want to help assist him in his endeavors, seeings how he is following in Dad's footsteps. But like they always say; Any man can make a baby but it takes a REAL MAN to be a father!
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6-03-2007 @ 2:56PM
Martie said...
Glad he is helping out. I guess things will start to look up for Matt and Katie now. Because they have been looking sooo sad in pre-race.
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6-03-2007 @ 7:13PM
kjaslp said...
I am with TGOM. It's about time. I never once thought Ross's mom was a gold digger, just out for what was best for Ross. Obviously, Ross has talent or Tony & Nelson Stewart wouldn't have invested in him either. What was Matt thinking anyway? Best Wishes to Ross in his career.
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6-11-2007 @ 5:46PM
Jennifer Storm said...
Hello, do any of you know the story? Maybe you should not jump to conclusions until you know the full story. Ross's mom had it posted on his website last year that "Ross's dad in no way is affiliated with Ross Kenseth's racing" Did you ever stop to think that maybe she won't let him be involved in his racing? Ross would not be who he is if it were not for Matt. Ross's siter would not be racing if it were not for Matt either. Matt is a wonderful father and does a lot with Ross. Matt was young when Ross was born. Not exactly an ideal situation, but Matt has been there for Ross. Before you throw the book at Matt, maybe you should look at the whole story not the "poor, poor, pitaful me " mom story.
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6-03-2007 @ 7:02PM
Baisden3kids said...
Jennifer:
Where have you been? This has been reported on by the media for weeks now and has been tied up in court for some time. Matt HAS refused to be affiliated with his son's racing team and has refused to pay into it, which is probably why Ross's website states it is not affiliated with dad, "Matt."
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6-03-2007 @ 10:52PM
someone said...
I think it's sad that you continue to exploit the struggles of two parents and a minor child. None of this is anyone's business except those directly involved. Shame on you.
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6-04-2007 @ 9:10AM
Baisden3kids said...
To Someone:
"I think it's sad that you continue to exploit the struggles of two parents and a minor child."
No one is exploiting the struggles between a minor child and his parents. Matt is a public figure as is his son. Yes, we all have a right to expect some privacy, but all court cases are public record. There is no exploitation here, just facts. Besides, the "minor child" is very successful in his own right and is gaining a name for himself all on his own. He himself is now a public figure, living in the public eye.
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6-04-2007 @ 4:21PM
Carrie said...
The courts should never have been involved in this. What happens if the kid decides he wants to be a speedboat racer? Does Daddy get dragged to court to buy him a boat next?
That's all about Mommy & Stepdaddy not wanting to pay for something that is not necessary for the kids support or survival and deciding the rich daddy ought to pay for it.
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6-05-2007 @ 12:13AM
anonymous said...
First of all, in regards to the comment about this being in the media for weeks...what media? This is the first I've heard of this, and I stumbled upon this site randomly. I visit Matt's website everyday and easily keep up with news concerning him through there, but have seen nothing about this on any other website. So I have to wonder just how many fans have any clue about it. Second, I'm sure no one that isn't directly involved has any idea what the dynamics are between Matt, Ross, and Ross' mom, and therefore, cannot make a fair judgment about the current issue. There could be a myriad of reasons as to why Matt hasn't been financially involved in Ross' racing, but that doesn't necessarily make him a bad father. When Matt and his dad, Roy, started racing, Roy made Matt work on the cars and earn his spot in the driver's seat. I'm sure money was pretty tight since it was a family run operation. Perhaps Matt feels that if he pours money into Ross' racing team, it will look like Ross is being given everything to him by his famous, wealthy, NASCAR-driving dad. That doesn't exactly bode well for earning much respect among fans or fellow racers. Matt can still support Ross emotionally and be a good parent in the aspects that matter most. That's just one idea, though. I'm a fan of Matt's, so I guess that makes me biased toward him, but without knowing the entire story, it's hard to judge fairly.
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6-05-2007 @ 11:01AM
Kieryn Rockwell said...
In reply to this story, I think that you shold get the full story before you jump to conclusions about Matt not stepping up to the plate. Tony Stewart wasn't necessarily stepping in as a surrogate dad because he was SPONSORING Ross's racing. He was only stepping in as a sponsor because if you read on Ross's website they needed sponsors.
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6-06-2007 @ 11:39PM
pete said...
First of all, do any of you know either of them? (Matt or Ross' mother) How can anyone even have an opinion on what type of people they are unless you at least heard so much as a comment from them. I work with Lisa's relative who said Matt used to fund Ross untill he felt he was advancing too fast at too young an age. (for evidence of this go to Ross'web page and follow his history and check his ages.) Now I'm sure you all must already know, Matt was not allowed to race untill he was sixteen. So having said this, it only makes sense that its Matt looking out for his son and not Matt trying to screw his kids mother.
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6-07-2007 @ 8:16PM
anon said...
It amazes me how judgmental people can be when they have no connection to or true understanding of the situation. Unless you personally know Matt, Ross, and Ross' mom, you're accusations hold no merit. If Matt's such a bad father, then why does Ross bother going to the races with him? Ross was at Dover last weekend and Eldora last night for Stewart's dirt race. Seems to me that if they didn't have a great relationship, Ross wouldn't be at the track with Matt. I think Matt's a genuinely good person, and wants the best for his son...that includes spending time with him.
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6-08-2007 @ 2:01AM
ross kenseth said...
First off, tony didnt invest or pay for any of my racing he helped me get a inex liscence so i could race, which is all i want to do. We have always wanted my dad to help me and im glad he is now. I take it personally as an insult for anyone to call my mom a golddigger because she isnt. I dont think anyone knows the sacrifices she and my step dad have made for me to go racing, my sister as well. The reason that i think my dad wasnt "involved" was because he didnt think what i was racing was safe enough and he didnt want me to get hurt. Even my grandpa, Roy, is super excited about me racing a latemodel. So my mom isnt a gold digger she was just looking out for me and seeking what would be best for me. So, stewart didnt fund my racing, my mom isnt a gold digger, and my dad is now helping me. I think from here on out everyone will get along and i think everything will turn out just fine. And i dont think i will race speedboats ;)
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6-08-2007 @ 1:02AM
tommy said...
ok for all the people who dont know what they are talking about. i know the families personally i spend alot of time with them and they have stayed at my home and i have stayed at theirs they are one of the respected people i know and ross' is not a gold digger and what was on ross' website about matt not helping there were alot of conflicts going on that none of you know about and for carrie i hope you knw that is ross ever did want to go into boat racing he could and wouldnt need matt cause ross' step father came from boat racing so obviously you dont know the situation or the family so none of you who does not know the family cannot judge.
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6-09-2007 @ 9:47AM
phermsen3 said...
Hey Ross, 2 am.? why are you up reading this crap at 2 am? by the way, didnt you race tonite? Also, the Smith kids in LC say hello.
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6-11-2007 @ 2:57PM
Ross Kenseth said...
yeah you can go to my site to see how we did. www.rosskenseth.com
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6-11-2007 @ 8:20PM
Jennifer Storm said...
Well stated Ross! Baisden, whoever you are, you talk like you know the whole story but do you? I do believe you used the word "probably". Maybe you should keep your comments to yourself unless you know both sides of the story. Thank you also to "anonymous" you are correct this has not been posted everywhere like everyone seems to think. Tony does not "fund" Ross's racing he sponsors along with others. I do believe Tony sponsors others besides Ross. That does not mean he is giving Ross a free ride. Ross has to go out and get sponsors just like his father. Ross, I am glad you are following this story and taking up for your mother and your father. The only one getting hurt from this I do believe is Ross. By the way Ross, I do believe I have a picture of you in a speed boat! It's on my infieldparking site! Go check it out! WWW.infieldparking.com/canyonsmom
Jen
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6-26-2007 @ 2:39AM
Sam Adams said...
Ross, what would you like to do differently if you had extra funding? Is your dads reason for not funding a result of his concern for your safety? A belief that your advancing to quickly? Or that he wants you to earn things the hard way? When you are older does he plan to fund your racing more? Does he plan on/does he fund any other developmental drivers racing? If no, what does he do with all that money?
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6-28-2007 @ 5:24AM
John said...
"Even my grandpa, Roy, is super excited about me racing a latemodel."
Amazing. Not only a budding racer but also a Ghost Whisperer, considering Roy Kenseth passed away a couple of years ago. Shesh.
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