[media-credit name=”CIA Stock Photography, Inc.” align=”alignright” width=”248″][/media-credit]Daytona 500 Champion Matt Kenseth got his first dose of reality this weekend here at the Phoenix International Raceway. The party of winning his 2nd Daytona 500 trophy is over. Kenseth hit the wall during final practice for the Subway Fresh Fit 500 and will be forced to go to a backup car for Sunday.
Kenseth has been racing in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series full-time since 2000 and has one NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Championship that he won in 2003.
He comes into this weekend as the points leader and has one victory here in Phoenix which he won back in 2002.
Last season, he didn’t find much success here. He triggered a 14-car accident in the spring that involved Brian Vickers, Jamie McMurray, Travis Kvapil, David Ragan, and numerous others. He finished that race in 12th, but during the Chase in the fall he was wrecked by Brian Vickers stemming from their altercation a week prior at Martinsville. He led early in the race, but finished 34th, effectively ending his hopes at a second NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Championship.
Happy Hour is currently taking place and Dale Earnhardt Jr. is currently on top of the charts followed by Brad Keselowski, Kasey Kahne, David Reutimann, and Juan Montoya.