AUTO RACING: Kenseth visits Kettlefoot
BRISTOL, Va. — Matt Kenseth is accustomed to adoring fans and unique requests for autographs.
The NASCAR star wasn’t prepared for the nationally-televised greeting he received Sunday at Watkins Glen International, however.
As the Nextel Cup road course race was delayed for a red-flag period, a shirtless man jumped over a fence and ran over to Matt Kenseth’s No. 17 Ford.
Needless to say, Matt Kenseth was surprised. He shared the story Tuesday during a press conference at the Kettlefoot Rod & Gun Club.
"There was like nobody around, then all of a sudden there’s a guy leaning in my [right-side] window trying to hand me a hat,’’ Matt Kenseth said.
"I was like `Hey’s what’s up.’ He asked me to sign his hat, but I was like "I don’t if know if this is really the best time.’’’
After twice asking Matt Kenseth for his signature, the spurned fan jumped back across the guardrail and into the infield of the track where he was immediately arrested.
"Once it was all over, I was thinking that I should have at least signed that guy’s hat since he got in all that trouble,’’ Matt Kenseth said.
"I don’t know if that would have been the right thing to do with all the kids and fans watching. It was just one of those things where are you are caught off-guard so bad that you are not really sure what to do."
According to Matt Kenseth, there was a bright side to the entire episode.
"I don’t think of myself as really one of the stars of the sport,’’ Matt Kenseth said. "All the superstars of NASCAR were lined up on the tack during that red flag, and the guy ran over to my car. That was a neat compliment.
"I’m going to find the guy’s information and arrange to send him a little care package. I would feel bad if he got in a lot of trouble.’’
In a statement from Watkins Glen International President Craig Rust, the fan was charged with reckless endangerment and criminal trespass. He was released from jail Sunday night after posting bail and faces one year in jail if convicted of the endangerment charge.
"We feel that it is in the best interest of the track and NASCAR to ban this fan from all future events held here,’’ Rust said. "We are also asking all other NASCAR facilities, including our sister [International Speedway Corporation] facilities, to also honor this ban at any of their future events."
Matt Kenseth said Tuesday that the incident was one of the most unusual he has faced in his long NASCAR career
"Yeah, that ranks right up there,’’ Matt Kenseth said.
The spotlight will be back on Matt Kenseth next weekend at Bristol Motor Speedway as he attempts to repeat his sweep of the Busch and Nextel Cup races last fall. Matt Kenseth became just the third driver to score a weekend sweep at Bristol, joining Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Kevin Harvick.
The big variable next week will be the new concrete surface at BMS.
"From the little bit of time I’ve been on the [Bristol] track, it was totally different. It reminds of a Dover,’’ said Matt Kenseth, referring to the July 24th test session for Busch Series drivers at BMS. "It seemed like the track was wider and a lot flatter on the bottom.’’
While the speeds may be a little down, Matt Kenseth isn’t complaining.
"We were going half a second slower which isn’t necessarily a bad thing,’’ Matt Kenseth said. ``That usually helps makes the racing better. The track is just a lot different.’’
As for the long-awaited prospect of two or even three-wide racing, Matt Kenseth urges fans to stay tuned.
"I think it’s the best possibility we’ve ever had here,’’ Matt Kenseth said. "It will be an interesting weekend.’’
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