Who will Kenseth drive for in 2013?

The 2013 NASCAR Sprint Cup season will be the first time that Matt Kenseth is not driving for Roush Fenway Racing (RFR).  It was announced earlier this week that Kenseth will be leaving RFR at the end of the season and Ricky Stenhouse Jr. will be replacing him in 2013.

Kenseth has 452 career starts, 22 wins and one championship in 14 seasons.

“I’m very thankful to Jack Roush for the opportunities he’s given me over the past 14 years. Together we have enjoyed a lot of success.” Kenseth tweeted on Tuesday.

“Once its reality and you’ve been somewhere for that long and you walk in that place and you feel like it’s your own and all that stuff.  It’s weird when you start thinking about after the first of the year, you won’t be there anymore.” Kenseth said.

Speculation is that he is headed to Joe Gibbs Racing, either in Joey Logano’s No. 20 Toyota or a fourth unannounced team.  Kenseth admits that he has a new deal already in place for 2013.

Hopefully the team will have full sponsorship and Kenseth will be able to showcase his talent were it belongs, which is the top-10 in the series points standings. Kenseth currently sits first in series standings and I am sure his thoughts are on the championship at the end of the season.

“The No. 17 is positioned extremely well this season and I’m committed to providing the team the best resources to continue their run for the 2012 championship.” Team owner Jack Roush said. “I have no doubt that Matt will do his part.”

There is no explanation why RFR and Kenseth ended there relationship together. For Kenseth I am sure it will feel very strange to drive for another team and a different car.

“I don’t think either one of us expected it, I think both of us expected I would retire driving for him and driving the 17 car.” Kenseth said.