On Monday, multiple outlets reported Matt Kenseth as the driver of the No. 42 Chip Ganassi Racing Chevrolet in place of the recently fired Kyle Larson, who lost his ride after using a racial slur during an iRacing event two weeks ago.
Kenseth, 48, has been retired from full-time NASCAR Cup competition since 2017. However, in 2018, he returned to Roush Fenway Racing and took on a part-time role of the No. 6 Ford. He and Trevor Bayne split the seat for the majority of the season.
Kenseth won the 2003 NASCAR championship with Roush. He spent 13 of his 18 full-time seasons with the organization. Now, as a driver for Ganassi, he will be paired with Kurt Busch, who was a Roush teammate from 2001 through 2005 and the 2004 series champion.
In a report to the Associated Press, Ganassi said: “I think Matt gives us the best chance to win, run up front and compete for wins. I’ve always gone with the mantra of trying to take the best driver available, and he’s the best driver available right now. And he brings something to our sponsors that they need right now. Stability. No baggage. Family man. Daytona 500 winner. Championship winner.”
Ross Chastain was initially viewed as a favorite for the No. 42 because he is still contracted by the team. He was supposed to drive the No. 42 CGR Chevrolet for the 2019 Xfinity Series campaign, but that fell by the wayside when the FBI uncovered a Ponzi scheme by supposed-to-be sponsor DC Solar in December 2018. Coincidentally, he’s been the driver of the No. 6 Ford since late February after Ryan Newman was injured in a crash on the final lap of the Daytona 500.
Chastain will continue to run for the Xfinity championship with Kaulig Racing. He will also drive a Ganassi-prepared car entered by Spire Motorsports at the Coca-Cola 600.
