Matt Kenseth, a former NASCAR Cup champion, has experienced a remarkable shift in his relationship with Erik Jones, evolving from reluctance to becoming one of Jones’ strongest supporters both mentally and emotionally. This change is part of the ongoing narrative involving their roles in the Jimmie Johnson NASCAR team reunion. The backstory dates to 2017 when it was announced that Jones would replace Kenseth at Joe Gibbs Racing (JGR) starting the following season. During that transitional year, Jones competed for Furniture Row Racing, an affiliate of JGR, while Kenseth continued driving the No. 20 Toyota for JGR.

Kenseth was aware that his time with JGR was coming to an end and that Jones would succeed him, a reality that fueled Kenseth’s determination to elevate his performance and affirm his capabilities to team owner Joe Gibbs. This dynamic created a tense environment with subtle challenges between the two drivers.

Jones reflected on this period, stating,

“Matt knew that he was the guy that was going to be out in that situation and ended up moving to make room for myself coming up through there,”

which he acknowledged complicated their ability to build a relationship.

Although the situation was delicate, Jones emphasized there was no ill will, saying,

“I don’t know that there was any animosity from him towards me, and obviously, there was none from me to him. But when you’re getting replaced, it’s never an easy situation.”

Kenseth recognized that the decision was not personal but tied to business considerations within NASCAR. He stated,

“I’ve been around it for a long time, and the owners and other people make those decisions. It’s not like the driver did it, or he was the owner and let me go.”

He added perspective on Jones’ selection by explaining,

“To be fair, Erik was Toyota’s guy at the time. He was Kyle’s [Busch] guy, Coach’s [Joe Gibbs] guy and was running really well and having a ton of success. I wasn’t exactly a spring chicken, so if you look at it, objectively, you can’t really blame anyone for that.”

Renewal of Partnership with Legacy Motor Club and Kenseth’s New Role

The story took a positive turn in 2023 when Kenseth and Jones reunited within the sphere of the Jimmie Johnson NASCAR team reunion. Jones was driving for Legacy Motor Club, co-owned by Jimmie Johnson, and Kenseth had stepped into the role of competition advisor for the team. Kenseth’s responsibilities included mentoring Jones and helping improve his driving skills, a role that drew on Kenseth’s deep experience and offered a fresh start for both.

Kenseth shared insights about their relationship during this reunion period, saying,

“Erik and I have always gotten along, but we never really knew each other at a high level at all.”

He recalled the circumstances surrounding his departure from JGR,

“It was somewhat interesting because when I left Gibbs, they decided not to bring me back.”

He acknowledged the awkward overlap, commenting,

“I wholeheartedly wanted to be back for another year or two before I retired, and they replaced me with Erik, which makes it kind of interesting. The same thing happened with him. I think he had a lot of apprehension because he didn’t know me that well, and he took over that car when I wasn’t there.”

Despite initially going their separate ways, Kenseth’s retirement after JGR turned out well. One motivating highlight from his final racing year was a strong fourth-place finish at the 2017 Bristol night race, which restored his confidence and proved he remained competitive.

Kenseth said about that race,

“I was really more thinking about, ‘That’s my replacement, and I better run him down and pass him to show him I can still do it better than he can.’ I had those thoughts. But I wasn’t thinking anything about the playoffs, I was thinking about trying to win the race.”

He also reflected on the mindset of competing for the lead, noting,

“It’s human nature. Whoever you’re catching for the lead, you’re always thinking something about them, right? Where you can sniff the victory, your mindset changes a little bit. It’s not just another car, it’s the leader, so you think things like that every once in a while. My brain’s a scary place.”

Erik Jones’ Surge in the Cup Standings with Kenseth’s Guidance

Erik Jones has recently shown significant improvement in the Cup standings, climbing from 30th after Talladega to 16th following a solid fifth-place finish at the Atlanta night race. This advancement places him right at the current cutoff for the playoffs and has boosted Jones’ confidence to remain competitive in the remaining eight races of the regular season.

Jones acknowledges that while progress has been made, there is still work ahead. His development has benefited from Kenseth’s tutelage and their renewed teamwork, which has helped them move beyond past rivalries and focus on future successes.

Kenseth expressed cautious optimism about their progress, saying,

“To be totally honest, we started the year not taking as big of a step forward as I expected or was hoping we would take. I feel like we took a pretty big leap within the last [seven or eight] weeks.”

He added,

“We’ve had cars — both (Jones and teammate John Hunter Nemechek) or one of them — that were capable of running in the top 10. I don’t know if we had cars last year capable of running in the top 10, but once or twice.”

Concluding on the challenges ahead, Kenseth stated,

“It’s been a big leap, but there’s a long way to go to get to where we want to be.”

The Future Implications of the Kenseth-Jones Partnership

The reunion of Matt Kenseth and Erik Jones on the team led by Jimmie Johnson represents more than just a shared past; it reflects the effort to forge a competitive edge amid a demanding NASCAR season. Kenseth’s advisory role and their mutual willingness to overcome previous uncertainties could be pivotal in Jones’ push toward securing a playoff spot and achieving consistent top finishes.

This partnership highlights the evolving nature of driver dynamics in NASCAR, where rivalry can transform into collaboration, and seasoned veterans contribute to shaping future talents. As the season progresses, the impact of this unique reunion on Legacy Motor Club’s performance will be closely watched by fans and analysts alike, underscoring the importance of mentorship and resilience in motorsports.