After three full seasons of Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series competition, Trevor Bayne will not return to the No. 6 Ford for Roush Fenway Racing, team owner Jack Roush announced Wednesday night.
During an interview on “Dialed In” on SiriusXM NASCAR Radio Channel 90, Roush explained their decision to not retain Bayne’s services for next year, as well as the future of the No. 6 team.
“Trevor is not going to be in the car next year,” Roush said. “Who we’re talking to and how close we are in those negotiations, I’m not inclined to say.
“We’re making a search. We’re in negotiations with drivers right now that would drive the No. 6 car next year. I think the decision’s been made. I don’t want to be breaking the story here, but I think the decision’s been made.”
Bayne has had a rocky fourth season with Roush Fenway this season. What started out a full-time gig soon transitioned into a part-time role after Matt Kenseth returned to the organization in May to help evaluate not only the Concord, N.C.-based team but particularly the No. 6 team.
Entering Sunday’s South Point Hotel and Casino 400, Bayne has raced just 16 events with a best finish of 11th at Bristol (Tenn.) Motor Speedway in August.
Since 2015, Bayne has earned just four top-five and 13 top-10 finishes in 124 starts with Roush Fenway. He finished a career-high 22nd in the championship standings in 2016 and 2017 respectively.
Since returning at Kansas Speedway, Kenseth has raced 11 times – finishing a best of 12th in the rain-delayed Brickyard 400 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. He also won stage 2 and led five laps.
“Matt is one of the guys who really put us on the map of the racing landscape,” Roush said. “He’s one of the most talented drivers to ever sit inside a racecar and his will to win, drive and determination have always embodied what we strive for as an organization.”
Bayne burst into the national spotlight with an underdog victory in the 2011 Daytona 500, his second career Cup Series races driving for Wood Bros. Racing. The 27-year-old, however, has been unable to live up to the expectations since.
The Knoxville, Tenn. native does have two Xfinity Series wins for Roush Fenway winning at Texas Motor Speedway in 2011 and two years later at Iowa Speedway in June 2013.
Follow Chris Knight on Twitter @Knighter01.
