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| Michael McDowell, driver of the #34 K-LOVE RADIO Ford, and Trevor Bayne, driver of the #6 AdvoCare Ford, speak during practice for the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Toyota Owners 400 at Richmond Raceway on April 20, 2018 in Richmond, Virginia. (April 19, 2018 - Source: Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images North America) |
I have been sitting here with my blood pressure rising everyday since this news broke about Matt Kenseth coming back and pretty much taking over the 6 car except for the races that AdvoCare is going to be on the car. There is something that sits on your mind a lot when ill-minded decisions are made by an organization that you have been a fan of and even been a part of since 1988.
I have listened to Jack Roush, Steve Newmark, Mark Martin and Matt Kenseth and heard so much the past couple days that I'd really say something to either one of them if I got around them this week, let's first discuss Mark Martin and Jack Roush. They have a history together of course and according to Martin, the owner called him almost a month ago to call Kenseth and try and get him back into a car. Kenseth agreed to come back. So lets use our heads here and mark it here. One month ago this move was made and lets look at how Bayne has been performing since then.
A month ago would have been Martinsville. His best finish is 12th at Texas, he has not qualified better than 13th and that was in the same race. I listen to the scanner every week and there's nothing but disappointment when I hear how Matt Puccia handles things with changes to the car. The team has showed up to the track with mediocre race cars, plain and simple, and they cannot improve. Alright now lets fast forward to two races ago at Bristol.
I was listening to the radio and I hear a voice from the past and I hear Jason mentioned. I knew it was Jason Hedlesky, who used to spot for Carl Edwards and was Kenseth's spotter the last year at JGR. Now I knew something was going on and it was fishy.
So I listened to Jack Roush and Tommy Wheeler last night on SiriusXM and they made this claim that that it was true that Trevor knew nothing about the situation until a family member called him and alerted him of the rumors. To me that is where this whole piece of the puzzle is the biggest mess I've ever heard. You do not do this to a guy that has been loyal to you and especially nine races into the year. This was a clear cut move to get Bayne out.
The one person in the media that seems to really be able to see this is Dale Earnhardt Jr., and he made a comment that it was that time where Trevor needs to keep his contacts (sponsors/Advocare) close and find a team that he feels that he can perform well and win with. It was time to get away from Roush Fenway Racing and I agree with him.
He needs to do exactly as Earnhardt said and rebuild his reputation because this company is a major reason why his reputation is hurt. I think the one thing that he does have is a sponsor that truly believes in him and they like him for who he is. Fans keep bringing up his multiple sclerosis that he was diagnosed with in 2011 after winning the Daytona 500 with the Wood Brothers. The fact is Trevor Bayne has not had a flare from MS since he was first diagnosed. I believe that fans need to realize this had nothing to do with his health, this was a move by Roush and it is to phase him out of this company.
It is time for that change to come, whether it be moving to a top-tier Xfinity team or another cup team and get his career back on track. I think he will handle this professionally and eventually he will get a better opportunity than what he has at Roush Fenway Racing.
