Dale Jarrett said on NBC Sports’ “NASCAR America” Tuesday that he thinks Kenseth will replace Kurt Busch in the No. 41 Ford at Stewart-Haas Racing next season.
It’s an idea floated around NASCAR circles after Stewart-Haas didn’t pick up Busch’s option this summer and Kenseth was replaced in the No. 20 at Joe Gibbs Racing for Erik Jones. At the time of Stewart-Haas’ announcement, the team expressed optimism in re-signing Busch but a deal has yet to come to fruition.
Reports say Busch is being asked by Stewart-Haas to take a pay cut despite bringing financial support to the team. Another holdup is sponsorship negotiations for the reigning Daytona 500 champion who managed just a 19.9 average finish the last 10 races of this season.
Kenseth is a lock for the Hall of Fame after a victory at Phoenix two weeks ago gave him 39 career Cup Series wins to put him in a tie with Hall of Famer Tim Flock for 19th on the all-time wins list. Kenseth called that win a “storybook ending,” but could a ride back with Ford change his mind?
The 45-year-old Kenseth was a 2003 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series champion and owns 181 top fives and 327 top 10s in 650 career starts. He boasts a 14.1 career average finish.
Former NASCAR crew chief Steve Letarte also predicted a new driver in the No. 41 next season. Here is the full clip.
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