Despite sponsorship issues, #17-Matt Kenseth’s future is secure at Roush Fenway Racing. Team owner Jack Roush said Monday that the 2003 Sprint Cup champion, in the final year of his current contract, will have a ride with RFR as long as he wants one. ‘Matt Kenseth is a cornerstone of Roush Fenway and he ‘ll be part of it as long as I am, as long as he wants to be,’ Roush said. ‘He certainly has a place here as long as I ‘m able to stay at the head of it.’ RFR president Steve Newmark said Kenseth’s No. 17 car still has eight to 10 unsponsored races. While sponsorship remains an issue for 2013 as well, Newmark echoed Roush’s comments on negotiating a new deal for Kenseth. ‘It is my hope, expectation and desire that Matt continue with Roush,’ Newmark said. ‘I expect to see him retire (at Roush). He is an integral part of the organization. When you think of Matt you think of Roush. When you think of Jack you think of Matt Kenseth.’ Newmark said the sponsorship focus at RFR, not only for Kenseth but the entire organization, is on 2013 and getting back to four full-time Cup cars and one full-time Nationwide Series car. The organization shrank to three Cup cars this season when sponsorship couldn ‘t be found for the #6 and David Ragan. The anticipation is Nationwide Series points leader Ricky Stenhouse Jr. will move into the #6 Cup car in 2013 and Trevor Bayne will drive Nationwide full time.(ESPN)(5-15-2012)
