Wisconsin's Matt Kenseth named to NASCAR's Greatest 75 Drivers list

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (CBS 58) -- Another Wisconsin motorsports legend has been named to the list of NASCAR's 75 Greatest Drivers.

Matt Kenseth, a native of Cambridge, Wisconsin, joins Greenfield's Alan Kulwicki on the list meant to celebrate the drivers who made NASCAR a household series as it celebrates its 75th anniversary season.

"It's quite an exclusive list. To be a part of that is a big honor," Kenseth said. "It's always a surprise to me because I've never really felt like I was really that special. "I felt like I got with good people, good teams, people that worked really hard on their cars to get them fast and I kind of got the good job to be able to go drive"

Kenseth is a 2023 NASCAR Hall of Fame inductee who made his debut in what is now called the NASCAR Xfinity Series in 1996.

Kenseth worked alongside fellow Wisconsinite, Robbie Reiser, who served as Kenseth's crew chief. Kenseth was hired by legendary team owner, Jack Roush, and had his rookie season in NASCAR's top series in 2000, beating Dale Earnhardt Jr. for Rookie of the Year honors.

Three years later, Kenseth was crowned the 2003 NASCAR Cup Series Champion.

Kenseth scored 39 career victories including two at the famous Daytona 500, the Southern 500, Coca-Cola 600 and the NASCAR All-Star Race.

Kenseth continues to have a presence in Wisconsin short-track racing. He is an eight-time winner of the Slinger Nationals and won several track championships at Wisconsin International Raceway in Kaukauna.

The pride of Cambridge, Wisconsin, receives this incredible honor! @mattkenseth, the 2003 NASCAR Cup Series champion, is named to the #NASCAR75 Greatest Drivers list! pic.twitter.com/zTJ1m3rsJZ

— NASCAR (@NASCAR) May 10, 2023

"He's turned into one of the icons of Slinger Speedway and when he comes back, it's a big deal," said Slinger Super Speedway owner Todd Thelen. "To watch him race a racecar here and the line he takes into the corner, just nobody does it the way he does it. The respect Matt garners with the racers here is second to none."

The respect is reciprocated, the home state hero even hinting at a potential return to the Slinger Super Speedway.

"It's a great track. I think it's one of the greatest short tracks I've ever been to," Kenseth said. "I love racing up there. I'm hoping to be able to go up and race again this year, maybe."