Final Year with Roush Fenway Racing for Matt Kenseth

This will be the final year with Roush Fenway Racing for Matt Kenseth. It has been 14 years of milestones with one Cup championship and 22 wins. Team co-owner, Jack Roush announced Kenseth's exit on Tuesday morning. Defending NASCAR champ, Ricky Stenhouse Jr., will fill his shoes next year. “Ricky Stenhouse Jr. has more than proved his abilities on the racetrack,” Jack Roush said. “We feel that he is not only a key piece of our team's future, but a key piece of the future of the sport. Roush Fenway is an organization with a wonderful past and present, as well as an extremely promising future, and I can't think of a better candidate than Ricky to usher in the next era of success for the team. “Of course, I'd like to thank Matt Kenseth for his many years of loyal service. Matt has been an integral part of this organization for well over a decade, and we are extremely appreciative of his accomplishments and contributions to the team, and will always consider him a part of the Roush Fenway family." Although he was not present during the announcement, Kenseth made a statement on Twitter: "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.... And as a team we are committed as ever to the remainder of the 2012 season and chasing a 3rd sprint cup title for Jack and RFR. Although I have nothing to announce regarding 2013, I feel the timing of this announcement gives RFR ample time to get things lined up... Darien and Tony proved to us last year there is no such thing as a "lame duck" team or season. We will continue to go to work and race hard." Kenseth's plans are not set in stone but it's rumored that he will join Joe Gibbs Racing. Gibbs currently has three teams but JGR president, Joe Gibbs told the press that a fourth team may be possible.