Erik Jones and Matt Kenseth’s connection in NASCAR has transformed significantly since 2018, when Jones took over the No. 20 car at Joe Gibbs Racing, a ride previously held by Kenseth. This transition marked a pivotal moment for both drivers, as Jones stepped into the seat of a former champion while Kenseth moved on from the team. In 2023, their paths converged once again at Legacy Motor Club, where Kenseth joined as a competition advisor and began rebuilding his relationship with Jones.
Their renewed partnership began shortly after Kenseth’s arrival when he reached out to Jones. The two met discreetly in Davidson, North Carolina, reconnecting after years of minimal contact despite their intertwined careers. Their past was marked by the difficulty of replacement and transition, but both have since found mutual understanding as they work together today.
“Matt (Kenseth) 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 (Joe Gibbs Racing). That made it harder to build a relationship. 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,” Jones admitted (via NASCAR).
Jones had risen through Toyota’s ranks as Truck Series champion in 2017, handpicked by Kyle Busch and Joe Gibbs to become a future star. Meanwhile, Kenseth, then still racing competitively but without a 2018 ride, understood the nature of the business without assigning blame.
“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. 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,” Kenseth explained.
Following his exit from Joe Gibbs Racing, Kenseth took a brief hiatus before racing part-time with Roush Fenway Racing in 2019 and making a full-time return with Chip Ganassi Racing in 2020. His storied career was honored with induction into the NASCAR Hall of Fame in 2023. Meanwhile, Jones’s trajectory at JGR mirrored Kenseth’s earlier experience when he was released from the No. 20 car at the end of 2020 to make way for Christopher Bell. Their current teamwork at Legacy Motor Club adds a meaningful layer to their shared history.
Momentum Builds as Jones and Kenseth Prepare for Chicago Street Race
Since joining Legacy Motor Club, Matt Kenseth has immersed himself in the team’s daily activities, participating in engineering discussions, mentoring drivers, and providing strategic insights. Erik Jones has welcomed Kenseth’s guidance as the No. 43 team begins to find its rhythm after a period of struggle.
Jones’s performance in the 2025 Cup Series season has gathered momentum, highlighted by a strong string of races in June that includes a fifth-place finish at EchoPark Speedway. Over the last six races, he has averaged a 10.6 finish, elevating him from 29th place in points after the Kansas race to 16th heading into the Grant Park 165 on Chicago’s streets.
Kenseth recognizes the team’s progress beyond just the statistics, noting their leap in competitiveness and the potential for further growth.
“I feel like we took a pretty big leap within the last (seven or eight) weeks. We’ve had cars, both 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. It’s been a big leap, but there’s a long way to go to get to where we want to be,” Kenseth said (via NASCAR.com).
As Jones heads into Round 2 of the In-Season Challenge against Ricky Stenhouse Jr., teammate John Hunter Nemechek faces a tougher matchup against Chase Elliott. Although the No. 43 team remains 49 points shy of the playoff threshold, the upcoming street race in Chicago offers a critical opportunity for progress.
With the demanding conditions of a street course emphasizing control, confidence, and driver synergy, the strengthening Erik Jones Matt Kenseth relationship could be an essential factor in unlocking success for Legacy Motor Club’s driver lineup.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. How did Erik Jones fracture his back?
A. Jones injured a lower back vertebra when he hit the outside wall hard in a multi-car crash on April 21 at Talladega. He was unable to participate in the last two races held at Dover and Kansas.