Kenseth decides to skip Saturday's Busch race

CONCORD, N.C. -- Winston Cup points leader Matt Kenseth has decided two races in one day isn't such a hot idea and will skip Saturday morning's "Little Trees" 300 NASCAR Busch Series race at Lowe's Motor Speedway.

	Matt Kenseth

Kenseth will hand over the reins of his No. 17 Ford to Roush Racing teammate Jeff Burton. The 200-lap race, rescheduled from Friday night, is set to get the green flag at 11 a.m.

After conferring with Robbie Reiser, his Winston Cup crew chief and Busch Series car owner, and Mark Martin, his Winston Cup teammate and car owner, Kenseth decided to sit out the Busch race.

"I talked it over with Robbie and Mark and just decided that it's best to concentrate on the Dewalt team right now with where we are in the points," Kenseth said. "Eight hundred miles in one day is a lot, and I want to make sure I'm fresh at the end of the Cup race if I need to be."

If rain postpones the Busch race to Sunday, Kenseth said he'll be back in the car.

Kenseth qualified 12th but would've been required to start at the rear of the field because of an engine change.

Kenseth leads the Winston Cup standings by 259 points but has seen his lead take a substantial hit the last two races after a blown engine at Talladega and a crash at Kansas.

Kevin Harvick, Kenseth's closest pursuer, is slated to start on the pole in Saturday's Busch race.

Burton is the race's defending champion.