NASCAR Hall of Famer Matt Kenseth is joining Legacy Motor Club as the team’s competition advisor, the team announced Oct. 10.
Kenseth will assume the new role effective immediately.
The 2003 NASCAR Cup Series champion will be tasked with providing guidance and strategy in the teams competition department, while serving as a mentor to drivers Erik Jones and John Hunter Nemechek as the team transitions over to Toyota for the 2024 season, according to a release.
“Jimmie [Johnson, Legacy co-owner] and I have so much respect for each other as both competitors and friends – we are alike in many ways and at similar points in our careers,” Kenseth said in a team release. “This is a great opportunity for me to be a resource for two extremely talented drivers and help on the racing operations side with this transition to Toyota. I’m really looking forward to seeing what we can accomplish together.”
Along with the 2003 championship, Kenseth is also a 39-time winner in the top level of NASCAR, with two Daytona 500s, one Southern 500, and one Coke 600 on his resume.
Kenseth has a previous relationship with Toyota, having driven for the manufacturer with Joe Gibbs Racing from 2013-17, winning 15 times in that span.
“Not only is Matt an excellent driver and a fierce competitor, he’s also a great friend,” Johnson said. “This alliance makes so much sense. Matt is extremely smart, has worked with Toyota while racing for Joe Gibbs Racing, and is still as competitive as ever. He’s a natural-born athlete and as fit as I have ever seen him. I’m so glad he is willing to share his knowledge and experience with us, and we look forward to all Matt has to offer.”
In 2023, Legacy sports one top five and seven top 10s, all coming via Jones.
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Chase began working with Frontstretch in the spring of 2023 as a news writer, while also helping fill in for other columns as needed. Chase is now the main writer and reporter for Frontstretch.com's CARS Tour coverage, a role which began late in 2023. Aside from racing, some of Chase's other hobbies include time in the outdoors hunting and fishing, and keeping up with all things Philadelphia sports related.
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Yay, glad to see Matt back involved in NASCAR.
And he’s just as vanilla as JJ, plain wrapper with no substance.
Results are what counts. Smart move in my opinion, by both parties. I’m saying 2024 is going to be a start to a good racing team. Matt is like Kurt Busch, smart in all racing areas. A thinker.
Will anyone ever see him outside the factory?
I doubt it, but a smart move.