2007 Preseason No. 3: Matt Kenseth

No. 17 DeWalt Ford

2007 Spin
As steady as they come, Matt Kenseth — one of only three drivers to make the Chase in each year of its existence — will once again figure into the Chase picture in 2007.

The DeWalt team appeared to be peaking at just the right time last season until a dropoff in performance reared its ugly head. A team that had recorded three wins, nine top 5s and 13 top 10s on the one- to two-mile ovals averaged an 11.5-place finish at its bread and butter tracks during the Chase. Not bad, but not championship material.

Had internal strife at Roush Racing permeated the Kenseth camp? Doubtful, but it brings to mind the old saying about the chain being only as strong as its weakest link.

Another sign that this team remains the healthiest of the Roushians is the fact that Kenseth was allowed to keep his crew chief. Robbie Reiser and Kenseth came on board at Roush as a pair, and it is difficult to imagine them apart. The fact that Jack Roush left the duo intact when he reassigned the others speaks volumes — especially when one realizes how quick Roush is to make such changes.

We see no real problem for Kenseth adapting to the Car of Tomorrow. He is a great chassis guy who can tell Reiser what he needs to know to make the machine run faster. Add to that the fact that Kenseth will be the beneficiary of the best Roush has to offer, and it all adds up to another season of multiple wins and a bevy of top 10s.

Is a championship in the cards here? Possibly. This is an elite team that needs only to have the breaks fall its way.

Fantasy Stall
Looking at Checkers: Lots of places, but the intermediates are usually kind to him.
Pretty Solid Pick: Bristol.
Good Sleeper Pick: He doesn’t fall in the ‘Sleeper’ category.
Runs on Seven Cylinders: Watkins Glen and Infineon.
Insider Tip: Kenseth is one of only a few drivers you can put stock in virtually anywhere. The roadies and Martinsville are the only exceptions.

2006 Performance Rankings
Flat Track Ranking: 2nd — Best Finish: 2nd, Indianapolis and Las Vegas.
Intermediate Track Ranking: 2nd — Best Finish: 1st, California, Dover and Michigan.
Plate Track Ranking: 3rd — Best Finish: 4th, Talladega
Road Course Ranking: 20th — Best Finish: 17th, Infineon
Short Track Ranking: 7th — Best Finish: 1st, Bristol

Read Matt Kenseth's entire preview in the 2007 Athlon Sports Racing Magazine