This is the Statt Mann Baby. Time to Scatt a little bit.

Matt KensethMatt Kenseth and I don’t know each other. But the one thing I remember most about Kenseth is the respect he gave me and the sport he honored and, once, dominated.

Kenseth this week stood tall when he announced he’d be trying something else when this 2017 season is over. He stopped short of using the word retirement.

Matthew Roy Kenseth would stay in NASCAR if he could get a competitive ride, one that’s worthy of the skills he hammered into a championship in 2003.

But that ride hasn’t appeared on the horizon yet so Matt is walking away with his head held high. In addition to his championship, Matt’s won 38 races including two Daytona 500s. That’s the kind of experience that could help the new faces coming on line right now.

That kind of resume, though, calls for costs and paychecks that team owners don’t appear ready to offer. The winning seats, and there aren’t many in NASCAR, just aren’t coming forward.

Could he make it in sports cars or the broadcast booth? Maybe but that’s not the point is it? Kenseth is man enough to say goodbye. Many in that sport don’t have the guts to race against Matt or do what he did this week.

Peace.