Stenhouse embraces move

SPARTA, Ky. — Ricky Stenhouse Jr. was shocked it was such a big deal.

When it was revealed last week that Roush FenwayRacing would promote him into Sprint Cup points leader Matt Kenseth’s spot when Kenseth leaves after the season, the 24-yearold Mississippian was overwhelmed by the response.

“I guess I didn’t really realize it was going to be that big when they announced it,” he said, grinning. “It was pretty cool, seeing everything on Twitter and everybody texting me. It was like I won a race.”

Stenhouse had been told about the move but had been sworn to secrecy. He couldn’t keep the news to himself, so he told his parents. But they didn’t really grasp the immensity of what had just happened for their son until the word spread officially the next day.

“They were very excited,” he said Thursday. “It was really cool to see the reaction.”

It was huge news throughout NASCAR that Stenhouse, the defending Nationwide Series champion, would be moving up to the Sprint Cup Series.Not to mention that Kenseth was moving elsewhere.

A week after first being told by Roush Fenway owner Jack Roush, Stenhouse still isn’t exactly certain what to make of all the hubbub.

“Early in the year we were talking about running some Cup races toward the end of the year to get ready for nextyear,” said Stenhouse, who rode up for this week’s race at Kentucky Speedway with his parents in their motorhome. “I think Jack had the idea we were going to do that, no matter what.

“I’m not sure what all happened. I just got a call that said that we were going to run and that Matt was not coming back. I have no idea how it went down, but I just got the phone call and never would have expected that.”

Others aren’t surprised at all. Stenhouse has showna steady hand in his four years in the Nationwide Series. He won two races a year ago while winning the series title and has three victories and stands in third place this year.

“If you win the championship at the second or third tier, I think that’s obviously a glowing endorsement that you’re ready to enter the Sprint Cup Series,” Sprint Cup driver Brad Keselowski said. “That speaks for itself. That shows right there that he’s ready for the opportunity.”