They are the very best at what they do. The Superstars of their sport. A safe bet. A sure deal. On any given Sunday they can dominate under any circumstances. They are Mr. Consistent, and here he is again this year.
The #17 has been nothing short of all those for over a year straight. Matt Kenseth is not only one of the best in the Nextel Cup; he is one of the best of the best. When Tony Stewart talks about the difference between the drivers that race in the middle of the pack every week, to the superior skills of the drivers that race out front every week; he is talking about Matt Kenseth.
For the 2006 season, Kenseth had an average finish of 9.8. That is a .10 off last years Cup Champion, #48 Jimmie Johnson. Kenseth had 5 races he finished outside of the top 20, and an impressive 19 top ten finishes for the 2006 season. (14 of them were top 5.) One race was the difference between the Cup Champion of 2006, and #17 Matt Kenseth.
Robbie Reiser has to get a ton of credit as well. A great driver is only as good as his Crew Chief. And there is nothing close to a Championship without both being huge stars, hard competitors, and having them at the top of their game. As of right now, in the Roush Racing Camp, the #17 car is all they got. They are really fast right now, and they have been for over a year.
#17 Matt Kenseth continues his dominance and consistency into the 2007 season. With a sweep in this weekends two top series in NASCAR, he is poised to start quick, build momentum, stay fast, and finish strong. Just like last year, the #17 is been seen rubbing paint with Gordon, racing hard with Stewart, and standing tall in Victory Lane. Mr. Consistent just introduced himself to the 2007 Nextel Cup this weekend in California.
Let me clear my throat. I’m sorry, for a second I thought you said a $50,000 fine, 50 driver points, and 50 owner points penalized against the #17, and the #9. Why not throw the two crew chiefs out for 4 races too?
Oh, you did.
Wait; is this the same governing body that ruled over the #48’s penalty last year at this time? Where were you during the whole ‘bleeder valve’ controversy with the #29 and the #31 last year? Didn’t see you investigating the tape that Jimmie Johnson was taking off his car after he won the Brickyard. Didn’t see JJ and the #48 crew start their Championship run from the hole last year, when he was found with a 'questionable' back windowpane during qualifying for the Daytona 500.
Come to think about it, didn’t you guys keep the #48 car for the year after they won the Daytona 500? You didn’t find one damn thing in the past year? No loose lug nut, shaved rim, or longer fuel line?
Evernham and Roush got the book thrown at them. That same book that so few of us have ever even seen. Some may be quick to defend that the #48 didn't break any rules last year because there was no rule against it written at the time. How do we know? We have never seen the book! Show me the rule against the #17 and the #9. Was it the same 'unapproved aerodynamic modification?' Or was it the 'non conforming equipment?'
The rules of NASCAR are simple. There are no rules. Just guidelines. And NASCAR has the freedom to move those lines whenever they wish.
If you’re sleeping with a driver, they will come down on you. If you bad talk the new money coming into the league, you will be made an example of. If your Hendrick Motorsports, you still have a great chance at winning the Daytona 500, and the Cup.
You can't stop, or I will pass you. If you slow down, I will outlast you. But when your down, you won't find me laughing. Just one question, I might ask ya. And it might sound like a disaster. But can you make this thing go faster?
