DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – Maybe it’s his consistent approach on the track or his low-key demeanor off it.

Whatever the reason, Matt Kenseth’s name usually isn’t the first to come up when people talk about current Sprint Cup Series drivers who might rank among the sport’s all-time greats.

But with Kenseth’s Daytona 500 victory Monday, his racing resume is hard to ignore. When Kenseth’s career is over, a case can be made that he’ll be worthy of consideration for NASCAR’s Hall of Fame.

Kenseth said he hasn’t put much thought into his place in the sport’s history. He’s just happy he got a chance.

“We’ve done a lot of things beyond my wildest dreams,” Kenseth said. “I never thought I’d get a chance to run in this series and run a Daytona 500, much less win one — or two. Certainly I appreciate and enjoy the success I’ve had so far.”

Kenseth has won two Daytona 500s, a Cup Series championship in 2003, and has 22 career Cup race victories. He also has 26 career wins in NASCAR’s second-tier series, now known as Nationwide.

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His defining characteristic as a driver always has been his consistency; in 437 career Cup starts, Kenseth has 210 top-10 finishes.

Given Kenseth’s career accomplishments — and his obvious ability to run up front as he nears his 40th birthday March 10 — it seems odd that his Roush Fenway Racing team has not yet been able to find a full season’s worth of sponsorship for his No. 17 car.

According to the team, Best Buy has committed to sponsoring Kenseth in nine races this season, with Zest sponsoring an additional four races and Valvoline as the primary sponsor for one race.

Team co-owner Jack Roush is expected to run the No. 17 team for a full season regardless of the sponsorship situation, but Roush Fenway very much would like to sell the rest of the races available on Kenseth’s car.

“I hoped, I guess, that the way our performance was last year and all that, that it would have been a little easier for the sales department to be able to fully sponsor the car,” Kenseth said. “But I know that’s been a struggle, not only for our car, but for some other cars.”

Roush Fenway isn’t fielding its No. 6 Cup car for a full season in 2012 because of sponsorship concerns. The team also is looking for sponsors for Ricky Stenhouse Jr. and Trevor Bayne.

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“I think it’s been tough out there right now,” Kenseth said.

And yes, it has occurred to Kenseth that his subdued public persona might hurt his chances with potential sponsors.

“I’ve thought about that,” Kenseth said. “Of course you think about it: ‘OK, well maybe there’s something I’m not doing right or saying right or whatever.”‘

While Kenseth has a sharp, dry sense of humor, he isn’t a fast-talking salesman in the mold of a Michael Waltrip.

KNAUS SUSPENDED: NASCAR issued steep penalties against five-time champion Jimmie Johnson and his team for failing the first inspection for the Daytona 500.

Crew chief Chad Knaus was fined $100,000 and suspended six races, car chief Ron Malec also was barred for six races, and Johnson was docked 25 points, sending him into this weekend’s race last in the Sprint Cup standings.

The penalties stem from a failed inspection Feb. 17 at Daytona International Speedway. NASCAR said the No. 48 Chevrolet had illegally modified sheet metal between the roof and the side windows, an area known as the C-posts.

Hendrick Motorsports immediately said it would appeal, and Knaus and Malec can attend races during the process.

 


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