Matt Kenseth Joins Star-studded Field Running Denny Hamlin Short Track Showdown Presented by Fedex at Richmond

Former NASCAR Sprint Cup Series champion Matt Kenseth is replacing Denny Hamlin in the Thursday, April 25, Denny Hamlin Short Track Showdown presented by FedEx at Richmond International Raceway. The race serves as a fundraiser for the Denny Hamlin Cystic Fibrosis Research Lab at the Children’s Hospital of Richmond at VCU.

“Obviously, it kills me to not be able to race in the Short Track Showdown,” said Hamlin. “I grew up racing these cars against some of the best in the area, and it’s always fun to come back and do it again, but my injury won’t allow that this year. Matt has been a great teammate since coming to Joe Gibbs Racing, and I have to thank him for stepping in for me in this race. There’s a great list of drivers in this year’s field, and I know they’ll put on an awesome show for the fans at RIR.”

“I’m honored that Denny asked me to fill his seat at his annual Short Track Showdown,” said Kenseth. “It’s a good event for a great cause and I know that it won’t be easy for him to sit out his own charity race. We’ll have a good time raising some money for the Denny Hamlin Foundation. I just hope some of Denny’s magic at Richmond comes with the number on the side of the car.”

Kenseth is joined by many other celebrity drivers who will compete with some of the best Late Model Stock Car drivers in the region. Competing in the Thursday night shootout:

  • Kyle Busch
  • Tony Stewart
  • Matt Kenseth
  • Michael Waltrip
  • Ricky Stenhouse Jr.
  • Trevor Bayne
  • Regan Smith
  • Darrell Wallace Jr.
  • Gray Gaulding
  • Max Papis
  • Kyle Larson
  • Curtis Markham
  • C.E. Faulk

The Denny Hamlin Short Track Showdown at RIR has brought some of the best late model racing action to Hamlin’s hometown track for the past two years and is sure to provide another great show for fans who come out to support cystic fibrosis research.

RIR PR