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Matt Kenseth is leads the points, but trails in TV time

In NASCAR's current multimedia world where every aspect of the sport is placed under a microscope daily how is it that the current NASCAR Winston Cup points leader is avoiding the spotlight?

In case you're not sure of the answer, Matt Kenseth currently leads by 51 points over second-place Junior. Matt leads all drivers with seven top ten finishes in the first nine races including a win in Las Vegas. He has been at the head of the points battle since Atlanta.

With all of his success on the track how is it that the driver of the #17 Dewalt Tools car isn't on every magazine cover and running in non-stop commercial loops? It simply doesn't seem to be his style. Just for fun, watch any NASCAR programming on television and keep score. Count any mention or picture of Dale Earnhardt Jr. and do the same for Kenseth. Don't forget to include the commercials. Scary isn't it?

Although Matt Kenseth chronologically fits in with the young guns of the sport like Busch, Harvick, Earnhardt and Johnson. His public personality runs more along the lines of older drivers like the Jarrett and Labonte families. While his peers always have a lot to say regardless of whether or not they actually have anything to add. Matt politely answers a direct question but doesn't seek out the spotlight, it's simply not his style.

If Matt continues to lead the standings deeper into the season the press will be forced to push into Matt's private space and get behind the scenes of his life. The massive press machine that smothers NASCAR will begin to push closer to this bright, talented driver.

How will he handle the added pressure? My guess is: like a (future) champ. Isn't it be nice to have a Winston Cup contender that you can talk to without wearing a helmet?