Matt Kenseth's 2003 championship victory was a turning point in NASCAR history.

## What happened?

Kenseth won the championship with just one Victory Lane visit that year, attracting criticism and questions about his deservingness.

The then Roush Racing driver did not pay heed to most of the criticism, but Brian France's comments stung him deep.

Kenseth told Scene Vault that he took France's comments personal and still feels that way about it.

## Why it matters for Matt Kenseth

France's comments were about the points system, which he believed took away from the racing itself.

Kenseth, a traditionalist, did not like the move away from the traditional full-season championship points format.

He pointed out that the conversations about points have only increased under the Chase format.

## What comes next?

Kenseth finished as the runner-up in two seasons under the Chase format, in 2006 with Roush Racing and in 2013 with JGR.

He retired from full-time racing in 2017 and drove a part-time schedule in 2018 and 2020.

Kenseth's final victory came at Phoenix in 2017, under the playoff format.

And now that the sport is going back to the Chase format from 2026, he may not be glad about it.

But Kenseth's history with the format is complex, and his feelings about it are still raw.

So, it will be interesting to see how he reacts to the new format.

Kenseth's comments about France's criticism are a reminder that the past can still have an impact on the present.

The introduction of the Chase format was a significant change in NASCAR history, and it had a lasting impact on the sport.

Kenseth's experiences and opinions about the format are valuable insights into the world of NASCAR.

He has been open about his feelings on the matter, and his comments have sparked interesting discussions.

The sport is always evolving, and it will be interesting to see how the new format plays out.

Kenseth's legacy in NASCAR is secure, and his opinions on the sport are still widely respected.

He has been a key figure in the sport for many years, and his comments are always worth listening to.

The future of NASCAR is exciting, and it will be interesting to see how the new format affects the sport.

Kenseth's thoughts on the matter are just one part of the larger conversation about the future of NASCAR.

The sport is always changing, and it will be interesting to see how the new format plays out.

But one thing is certain - Matt Kenseth's legacy in NASCAR is secure, and his opinions on the sport are still widely respected.