Matt Kenseth won one of the most controversial championships in NASCAR history in 2003, winning the Cup title with a season built on consistency rather than a stack of trophies. He reached the top with just one race victory, a result that sparked debate in the garage and in the stands. A year later, the sport responded with a seismic shift by introducing the Chase format. Thanks to this new system, Kurt Busch became champion in 2004. Despite contrasting paths to recognition, both drivers climbed the mountain behind the wheel of Roush Racing, and their joint success was not based solely on equipment.
Kensethhad joined the organization in 2000, while Busch followed as a full-time driver in 2001. From the start, the duo became a fundamental part of Jack Roush’s operations. Their progression was not parallel by chance. Busch later acknowledged that Kenseth played a significant role in shaping his NASCAR career.
Advertisement
That respect became a public record in 2012, when Jeff Gluck asked Busch which driver had always led him flawlessly and which competitor he really enjoyed facing. Busch didn’t hesitate before naming his former teammate.
Buschdetailed the relationship by explaining, “Matt Kenseth. He and I developed a great relationship early in our careers. At Roush Racing, the No. 6 car was the lead car, and the No. 99 was the second car (in one shop), and in the other shop it was the No. 17 guys and the No. 97 guys.
“2002 was a breakthrough year for me, and I leaned on Matt a lot; he won the championship in 2003, and then 2004 was my championship run.”
This period marks a turning point within the organization. Busch highlighted how their collective rise remodeled the internal hierarchy. “We changed the whole landscape at Roush Racing so that the No. 17 and No. 97 were the main cars. We were just young, hard-nosed Late Model drivers, and it was so easy to be on the same page as Matt. We still have that today.”
Advertisement
But their connection extended beyond standard teammate chemistry. It grew through their shared Late Model roots, a similar work ethic and a mutual understanding of what it takes to win at the highest level. Trust and respect allowed both drivers to push each other without crossing the lines.
Kurt left Roush Racing after the 2005 season, beginning a journey that took him to Penske Racing South and then Furniture Row Racing in 2012. His career path continued through Stewart-Haas Racing and Chip Ganassi Racing before ending with 23XI Racing in 2022. Kenseth, on the contrary, remained a mainstay at Roush Fenway through 2012.
He passed toJoe Gibbs Racing for the 2013 season, he then returned to Roush Fenway Racing part-time in 2018, and finally closed out his Cup career with Chip Ganassi Racing in 2020.
Both drivers finished their Cup tenure with a championship, but in tandem, Kenseth and Busch elevated Roush Fenway Racing to the elite level of NASCAR in an era dominated by heavyweights such as Hendrick Motorsports, Richard Childress Racing and Joe Gibbs Racing.
The position Why Matt Kenseth and Kurt Busch, Jack Roush’s last two Cup champions, shared a great relationship appeared first on The rush to sport.
