Matt Kenseth Sidesteps Questions about his Racing Future

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Matt Kenseth, the driver of the #20 DEWALT FLEXVOLT Toyota, sits in the garage area during practice for the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Alabama 500 at Talladega Superspeedway on October 13, 2017, in Talladega, Alabama. Photo – Sarah Crabill/Getty Images

Matt Kenseth is a master of deflection—and he’s had plenty of practice heading into Sunday’s Alabama 500 at Talladega Superspeedway (2 pm ET on NBC).

Ever since Kenseth announced at Kentucky Speedway in July that he wouldn’t be driving for Joe Gibbs Racing after the 2018 season, the 2003 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series champion has been the subject of rampant rumors and speculation.

For his part, Kenseth has parried questions about his 2018 status like a fencing champion. Asked whether he has had any recent substantive discussions about possible rides for next year, the droll Kenseth dead-panned an answer about a conversation with his wife.

“It probably weighs on me way less today than it did probably a few months ago,” Kenseth said of the uncertainty he’s facing. “Had some real productive talks with Katie. We’re going to run another day. Had a real, long productive talk together. That was enjoyable. It’s true, we did. Talked about it a lot.”

When talking about possible next steps in his driving career, Kenseth offered an unexpected option.

“I was thinking about maybe driving a school bus,” Kenseth said. “I thought it would be fun. I drive the kids to school every morning. I enjoy that. I thought it would be fun to drive them home, too.”

As facetious as Kenseth was during his question-and-answer session with reporters on Friday morning at Talladega Superspeedway, there remains the serious possibility that Kenseth could win a second championship without a deal lined up for 2018.

Entering the second race of the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Playoff’s Round of 12, Kenseth is ninth in the series standings, one point behind Jamie McMurray in eighth and one point below the current cut line for the Round of 8. But Kenseth is a previous winner at Talladega, and he has two victories at Kansas Speedway, the venue for the October 22nd Round of 12 elimination race.

In fact, in his last 14 starts at Kansas, Kenseth has two wins, ten top-tens and no finish worse than 14th. So it’s a distinct possibility Kenseth will drive his No. 20 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota into the Round of 8—before turning the car over to Erik Jones at the end of the year.