Kenseth hopes for continued Texas success

[rebelracewriter]

CONTACT Sarona Winfrey

Brian Briscoe

-- For Immediate Release

 

2003 CUP SERIES CHAMPION MATT KENSETH HOPES TO REPEAT EARLIER TEXAS SUCCESS

 

FORT WORTH-DALLAS (March 24, 2004) - Matt Kenseth won five races in the NASCAR

NEXTEL Cup Series in 2002 and finished eighth in the season standings. A year

ago, he won just one race, but ran away with the points championship. While

consistency certainly paid dividends to the driver of the #17 DeWalt Power Tools

Ford, Kenseth wouldn't mind more of what 2002 had to offer - frequent trips to

victory lane. One of those victories came at Texas Motor Speedway.

"Our team has been able to hit our setups when we race at Texas," the defending

Cup Series champion said. "Being that we come here just once per season, we

rely on past years' information, even though things like tires and spoilers have

changed from the past."

Last year, Kenseth started 17th in the Samsung/RadioShack 500 and finished

sixth, one of his 25 top-10 showings on his way to the series championship.

"I like Texas because it is big and fast," Kenseth said. "I really enjoy

racing on speedways that are fast, which Texas certainly is. It is fun to race

there."

Two years ago, Kenseth started from the rear of the field after changing an

engine during the course of the weekend. Despite starting from the back, he was

mistake-free and fast, working his way to the checkered flag in front of Jeff

Gordon for the win.

In his fifth season in the Nextel Cup Series, Kenseth has established himself

as one of the most consistent drivers in the Roush Racing stable. In 2003, he

spent 35 of the 36 weeks in NASCAR's Top 10. He assumed the points lead after a

fourth-place finish at Atlanta, the season's fourth race, and held it for 33

consecutive weeks, a modern record.

Kenseth will be doing triple duty at Texas Motor Speedway during RPM Week-Texas

as he will drive in the Crown Royal IROC race on Friday night, April 2, the

O'Reilly 300 Busch Series race on Saturday, April 3, and the Samsung/RadioShack

500 Nextel Cup Series on Sunday,

April 4.

For ticket information for all RPM Week-Texas events at Texas Motor Speedway,

contact the ticket hotline at (817) 215-8500 or go online to

www.texasmotorspeedway.

KensethReturns:bb:cjd # # #