“I’m certainly not anymore”: When Matt Kenseth’s fandom for Joey Logano was destroyed at Kansas

NASCAR: Ford Ecoboost 400 - Source: Imagn
NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driver Matt Kenseth (20) races alongside Joey Logano (22) during the Ford EcoBoost 400 at Homestead-Miami Speedway. NASCAR: Ford Ecoboost 400 - Source: Imagn

Over the years, Matt Kenseth used to be one of the biggest fans of now-two-time Cup Series champion Joey Logano. However, after tangling with the latter at Kansas Speedway in 2015, the 2003 Cup Series champion's feelings for Logano changed.

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Kansas hosted the second race of the Round of 12 of the Cup Series playoffs in 2015. Kenseth, a Wisconsin native, entered that race essentially needing a win to advance to the next round after a tough result in the first race of the round at Charlotte.

The now-52-year-old was leading with under 10 laps to go until he was caught by Logano, who closed in on the back bumper of his #20 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota. Kenseth attempted to keep Logano behind him by blocking, but eventually, the driver of the #22 Team Penske Ford had enough and nudged him in the back bumper, sending him spinning and out of contention for the win.

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Logano went on to win the race in what was his second straight win at the time. After the race, Kenseth had some choice words for the winner, as he said:

“I’ve actually been one of his biggest fans. I’m certainly not anymore.”

The Connecticut native defended his actions following the dust-up as he felt the JGR driver wasn’t giving him his fair shot by excessively blocking, as he said.

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“Felt like I got fenced twice down the straightaway. He raced me hard, so I raced him hard back.”

Kenseth suggested that Logano’s move late in the race at the 1.5-mile track wasn’t a smart one as it sparked a rivalry between the two that year, adding:

“You make decisions every day behind the wheel. To me, strategically, that doesn’t seem like such a great decision for him.”
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Logano went on to win at Talladega the next week and swept the Round of 12, while Kenseth failed to make the Round of 8 after a string of poor results in the second round. However, the next week at Martinsville, Kenseth would seek revenge on the 2015 Daytona 500 champion.

With under 50 laps to go at the 0.5-mile track, Logano led the race and sought to punch his ticket into the Championship 4 race. Kenseth, who had already crashed in the race and was multiple laps down, intentionally wrecked Logano as he waited for him to come around and pass him, ending his day and ultimately a shot to race for a championship. Kenseth was suspended for the next two races following the retaliation move.

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Matt Kenseth and Joey Logano shared a fond moment in 2022

Years after the on-track rivalry, Matt Kenseth was a special guest analyst for FOX Sports for the WISE Power 400 at the Auto Club Speedway. When trying to connect to Joey Logano’s in-car radio for a mid-race interview, the now-retired champion driver told Logano he probably never expected to hear him on his radio, to which he responded:

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“What’s up friend!”

Kenseth, along with fellow commentators Mike Joy and Clint Bowyer, shared a laugh over the interactions between the two former rivals. Logano went on to win his second championship later that year.

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Edited by Hitesh Nigam
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