By: Toby Christie

Matt Kenseth saw an important streak end in 2009… For the first time since the Chase format began in 2004 he found himself on the outside of the playoffs looking in after the 26 race regular season. Kenseth would go on to finish 14th in the final point standings, which equals his worst finish in his career (also finished 14th in points in 2000 during his rookie campaign).

But should we really of been surprised that Kenseth wasn’t able to fight his way into the chase this past season? I know he started the season off very hot by winning the rain shortened Daytona 500, then following it up with a victory the next week at California, but we should have known he would eventually start hitting some bumps in the road.

Let me explain myself. Matt Kenseth came into the Sprint Cup Series in 2000, bringing with him his crew chief from his Nationwide Series (Then Busch Series) team Robbie Reiser. The two were an amazing team they went out and won the Coca-Cola 600 in their rookie year, and would cap the season by winning rookie of the year (edging out a guy named Dale Earnhardt Jr.).

The relationship would continue to grow for Kenseth and Reiser as they would go on to win the championship in the 2003 season, in such dominating fashion that NASCAR would institute a playoff format, but they wouldn’t stop there. They would end up tallying 16 victories between 2000 and 2007. However as with most good things this pairing would come to an end after the 2007 season. Reiser was promoted to General Manager of the Roush/Fenway team, which would give him more responsibility, but would also allow him to spend more time with his family.

Since Reiser left the No. 17 team Matt Kenseth has not had the luxury of continuity. In 2008 Chip Bolin stepped in as Matt Kenseth’s crew chief. Bolin led Kenseth to another chase berth, but the Wisconsin native went winless for the first time since 2001. Kenseth would finish 11th in the point standings and at the conclusion of the 2008 season it was announced Bolin would be replaced and the little momentum they were beginning to build was over.

Drew Blickensderfer was the crew chief this past season, and despite the fact it took Kenseth probably all offseason to pronounce his name they got off to a great start, but as I mentioned earlier they would stall out and miss the chase. However Blickensderfer will be back on the pitbox in 2010 which may be the saving grace for Matt Kenseth as he gets something he hasn’t had since 2007… Continuity.

I fully expect Kenseth to be a factor in the chase next season as he and Blickensderfer will be given a chance to gel.

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