Kenseth’s back: How veteran can climb stats rankings

Matt Kenseth is back in the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series. The 46-year-old will drive part-time in the No. 6 for Roush Fenway Racing, and that means his career stats -- which we thought were set and done -- could see an uptick. Here's a look at how Kenseth could pass Junior Johnson, Lee Petty and more in key statistical categories.

STARTS (650): With 18 starts, Kenseth will pass Joe Nemechek for 20th on the all-time list and tie Dale Jarrett (668 starts). Kenseth currently is three starts behind J.D. McDuffie.

WINS (39): Kenseth would tie his hero Mark Martin and fellow active driver Kevin Harvick with 41 wins if he earns just one more trip to Victory Lane. Only 19 drivers in Monster Energy Series history have reached the 40-win plateau.

TOP-FIVE FINISHES (181): Kenseth is one behind Terry Labonte on this all-time list, with Ned Jarrett four ahead of him. Tony Stewart looms beyond Jarrett.

TOP-10 FINISHES (327): Kenseth ranks 14th all-time in top-10 finishes. He is five behind NASCAR Hall of Famer Lee Petty.

LAPS LED (11,751): This may be the most difficult jump for the Wisconsin native to make based on how Kevin Harvick has ran in 2018. He enters Kansas only 81 laps behind Harvick, who passed Kenseth for 15th all time last weekend.

WINS AT 45 OR OLDER (1): Matt Kenseth already is one of 19 drivers to win at age 45 or older at NASCAR's top level. A second win would tie him with Buck Baker (pictured) and Morgan Shepherd for two in this category.

WINS AT 46 OR OLDER (0): A win would add Kenseth to this prestigious club, which is just 13 drivers deep and includes the likes of Richard Petty, Dale Earnhardt and Bobby Allison. Geoffrey Bodine, Terry Labonte and Rusty Wallace (pictured) each won once at 46 or older.