Born and raised in Cambridge, Wisconsin, just outside of Madison, Matt had many opportunities to race on some of the most competitive short tracks in the nation. Kenseth began his stock car racing career in 1988 at the age of 16. In just his third race, Matt, then just a high school junior, won his first feature event. Two weeks later, another win followed, and over the next two seasons, Kenseth won a total of 10 main events at numerous Wisconsin raceways.
Like most young drivers, Matt was introduced to racing through his family. "My dad made me a deal when I was 13. He would buy me a racecar and drive it, if I would work on it and keep it up. Then, when I turned 16, I could drive the car. It was hard work, but it was also a great experience and really prepared me to do more than just steer the car," stated Kenseth.
By the age of 19, Matt had already moved up to the ultra-competitive Wisconsin late model ranks, taking on the likes of Dick Trickle, Ted Musgrave and Rick Bickle. Matt Kenseth became the youngest winner in ARTGO Challenge Series history, capturing an event in LaCrosse, Wisconsin. The old record was held by NASCAR Winston Cup star Mark Martin, so many were quick to make comparisons between the two drivers.
Over the next three seasons, Kenseth did little to slow comparisons to great drivers, capturing 46 super-late model victories. In 1993, Matt captured the Alan Kulwicki Memorial Race, a pair of ARTGO features and the Wisconsin Short Track Series 200. The 1994 season proved to be a banner year for Kenseth, as he won track titles at Madison (WI) International Speedway and Wisconsin International Raceway in Kaukauna. Matt also won the prestigious Miller Genuine Draft National championships, becoming the youngest driver to win the title. Another track title followed in 1995, scoring a record four consecutive feature wins in route to the championship. In all, Kenseth scored 15 wins in 60 starts, or one in every four races.
During the 1995 season, Matt made his first trip south to the NASCAR All Pro Series, earning a trio of top three finishes in four starts. In 1996, Kenseth finished a strong third in the rugged Hooters Series, with one victory. During the 1997 season Matt began driving in the ASA Series for Gary Gunderman's All Star Racing Team. While running in second place in the ASA point standings, Kenseth answered a call from former competitor Robbie Reiser and packed his bags for the NASCAR Busch Grand National Series.
Matt Kenseth took the reins of the No. 17 Reiser Enterprises Monte Carlo on April 19, 1997, at the Nashville Speedway, bringing home an 11th place finish. Kenseth went on to capture two top fives and seven top tens in just 21 starts and finished second in the Rookie of the Year battle.
In 1998, Kenseth's first full Busch season, Matt finished second in the Championship Points Battle, capturing three wins, seventeen top-five and twenty-three top-ten finishes. Kenseth grabbed the most top ten finishes of all Busch Series contenders in 1998. Matt also made his Winston Cup debut in 1998 at Dover Downs in September, substituting for Bill Elliott in the McDonald's Ford. Kenseth finished an incredible sixth in just his first start, racing hard with top Winston Cup contenders.
This past year found Kenseth once again battling for the Busch Series Championship. Matt grabbed four wins, two poles, 14 top fives and 20 top tens and finished third in the points race. Kenseth also made five Winston Cup starts for Roush Racing and DeWALT Tools in 1999. The highlight came at Dover Downs with Matt grabbing a fourth place finish.
The 2000 season finds Kenseth behind the wheel of the No. 17 DeWALT Taurus for Roush Racing. Matt will be competing the entire Winston Cup schedule, running for the rookie of the year title.