TOYOTA NASCAR Sprint Cup Series (NSCS)
Matt Kenseth Race Notes & Quotes
Martinsville Speedway – November 1, 2015
MATT KENSETH, No. 20 Dollar General Toyota Camry, Joe Gibbs Racing
What is your reaction to what happened?
“Well it’s a really disappointing day. I thought we were going to have a shot at the win there and they were jacking up the restart real bad to let each other in as teammates which is fine and I probably went in there and I got on the other side of Joey (Logano) and I was going to try to race him for the win and Brad (Keselowski) wiped me out for some reason. I’m not really sure why. And then we had so much damage on the right front I should have probably just put it in the garage and just got into (turn) 1 and couldn’t get it to turn and ran Joey over. So, disappointing ending for sure.”
What is your reaction to Joey Logano saying it was a complete coward move on your part?
“I don’t have any comments for that.”
Was there intent involved in the wreck?
“There’s people that say a lot of things. The splitter was dragging the ground and got into the corner and certainly ruined his day. I know what it’s like to be that too. Some days you’re the bat some days you’re the ball. It’s never fun when you’re the ball so like I said disappointing end, a disappointing end to our Chase and he’s (Joey Logano) got a couple races left, he’s got the best car, he might get a couple of wins here and still have a shot at it. Certainly disappointed it came down to that. Man, I was out there trying to race as hard as I could for Dollar General and try to get the win. I really thought we were going to have a shot for the win before they got me the first time. Disappointed to get wiped out twice in the last four weeks with a shot to win for sure.”
Do you think this is over or do you see another chapter in retribution from him?
“I don’t know. I feel like every week is a new week. Go out and race and do what you think is right, race as hard as you can and just take it one week at a time. I don’t know. I try to do the best I can. You never like to be in these situations. They really stink to be honest with you but sometimes you get put in these spots and you’ve got to try to keep respect in the garage area. You can’t get yourself ran over. You can’t get in the Chase next year and get ran over for the same reason. Like I said, hate the way it ended. Wish we were out there celebrating or having a shot for the win like we did before we got wrecked, so a disappointing day.”
What happened to take you out of the race?
“Well, I don’t know exactly. They were both jacking up the restart trying to let each other in and I got in there and tried to pass Joey (Logano) and then Brad (Keselowski) got into me off the corner real hard so I don’t know what happened and definitely wrecked our day.”
What happened with Joey Logano going into turn 1?
“Yeah, definitely my fault. I got into him. The right front was dragging down there and probably should’ve went to the garage area and went into the corner there and man couldn’t get it to turn and collected him. I know it’s got to be disappointing for him you know. It’s a tough sport, some days you’re the bat and some days you’re the ball. I was the ball a few weeks ago and I was the ball again today so that part is never fun.”
What happened with Joey Logano?
“I don’t know. I got down into (turn) 1 and I was trying to go for the win and Brad (Keselowski) got into me off (turn) 2 and ruined our day. So, I really thought we were going to have a shot to win this thing. Unfortunate it ended the way it did.”
Are you saying you didn’t wreck Joey Logano on purpose?
“I didn’t say that. Nobody asked me that.”
Was it payback or not?
“Well, like I said some days you get put in spots you don’t want to be in for sure. I much rather be out there racing for a win than to be in that spot. I had two chances to win I think in the last three weeks and I got wrecked out of both of them going for the lead. One from him (Joey Logano) and one from Brad (Keselowski) so that’s disappointing. We should have never been in that spot trying to limp that car around and get the finish.”