Kenseth: "I know very little" about Edwards retirement

Kenseth has raced with Edwards in the same organizations for 11 of the last 13 seasons. After Kenseth left Roush Fenway Racing at the end of 2012, Edwards followed him to JGR two years later. 

As shocked as anybody

While Kenseth has witnessed Edwards unpredictable side in the past, the 2003 NASCAR champion was taken aback by Tuesday's news. 

“Whatever the announcement is — and his reasons are for it — that’s for him to say,” Kenseth said on SiriusXM Radio’s Night Shift. “I think maybe it will be a lot clearer for all of us after that. To be 100 percent honest, I really know very, very, very little about it. The headline part, I heard. I was probably as shocked as anybody. I haven’t heard it officially yet from anybody. 

“So I’m probably as surprised — actually more than surprised — probably shocked as anybody. He’s been a great fit at JGR. I think he enjoys working with all of us. We enjoy working with him.  

"He’s obviously brought a lot to the program. He was one caution flag away from winning the championship last year. I’m as curious as anybody to find out what his reasons are, what exactly is going on and what his reasons are for it.”

They’ve been dropping like flies lately so I might outlast all these guys. 

Matt Kenseth

JGR has a press conference scheduled for Wednesday at 10 a.m. In addition to the Edwards’ news, the company is expected to introduce Daniel Suarez as the new driver of the No. 19 Arris Camry in the Monster Energy Cup Series. 

Praising Suarez

Although Kenseth would not confirm Suarez’ promotion during the interview, he’s been impressed by the Xfinity Series champion’s evolution in NASCAR. 

“There’s just a lot of things I really don’t know, but Daniel, obviously, is a great driver,” Kenseth said. “He’s come a long way … When he first started, I guess it was two years, maybe three years ago, he would come and hang out and ask a lot of questions. I felt bad, because I got to be honest, I had a really hard time understanding what he was asking me. I almost needed a translator for a little bit.

“But the thing I like about him most is how interested he was — was and is — and how seriously he takes things and all the questions he would ask. He would walk over to the Cup garage and watch all of practice. He would come to the hauler and listen to us debrief and listen to us talk.

"To be totally honest with you, there’s not a lot of young drivers that do that any more — at least none that I’ve witnessed. For him to come in and show all of that interest, I feel like he’s worked really, really hard at what’s he’s doing and what he’s got. Obviously, he’s had a lot of success and I’m sure he’s going to have a lot of success in the future.”

Kenseth's future

Prior to Suarez’ fast track to the Cup series, Kenseth’s name continually came up as the odd man out of the JGR stable despite amassing 14 wins and 10 poles in the last four seasons. 

When asked about his own future at JGR, Kenseth, 44, quipped, “They’ve been dropping like flies lately so I might outlast all these guys. I felt like we ran pretty well most of the year. We didn’t get all the finishes. But honestly, I really don’t know the answer to that question. I feel really good. I feel as good probably physically and mentally as I’ve ever felt. I feel like we’re still really competitive. I feel I still do a decent job behind the wheel more often than not.

“I’m basically having fun with most of it, so I haven’t really thought about it. I really don’t have any plans to (retire). I’m not sure what I would do if I didn’t get to race that Toyota Camry every week.”