Matt Kenseth

Who is Matt Kenseth?

Matthew Roy "Matt" Kenseth is an American professional stock car racing driver. He drove the No. 20 Toyota Camry for Joe Gibbs Racing in the NASCAR Cup Series full-time as well as the No. 20 Toyota Camry for Joe Gibbs Racing in the NASCAR Xfinity Series on a part-time basis.

Kenseth started racing on several short tracks in Wisconsin and won track championships at Madison International Speedway, Slinger Super Speedway and Wisconsin International Raceway. He moved to the ARTGO, American Speed Association, and Hooters Late Model touring series before getting a full-time ride in the NASCAR Busch Series for his former Wisconsin short track rival Robbie Reiser. After finishing second and third in the standings, he moved up in the NASCAR Cup Series. He won the series' Rookie of the Year title in 2000 and the championship in 2003. The International Race of Champions invited Kenseth to race in their 2004 season as the reigning champion and he won the season championship. In 2009, he won a rain-shortened Daytona 500 and repeated as Daytona 500 winner in 2012. He is the father of Ross Kenseth.

Kenseth's stellar Cup credentials feature 39 wins and 331 top-tens over 22 years. No longer an active Cup Series driver, Kenseth was often compared to the late, great David Pearson for his experience, success, and work ethic as a professional driver and his insight as to how to get optimum speed out his racing machines, over his entire career. Kenseth has competed in the Camping World SRX Series since retiring as a NASCAR driver and is still active on the late-model and sports car scenes.

Kenseth is set to join the NASCAR Hall of Fame Class of 2023.