DAYTONA BEACH, FL - JUNE 29: Matt Kenseth, driver of the #20 DEWALT Flexvolt Toyota, stands in the garage area during practice for the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series 59th Annual Coke Zero 400 Powered By Coca-Cola at Daytona International Speedway on June 29, 2017 in Daytona Beach, Florida. (Photo by Jerry Markland/Getty Images)

Joe Gibbs address the future of Matt Kenseth


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In the days leading up to the Quaker State 400 at Kentucky Speedway, Matt Kenseth revealed that he wouldn't be returning to Joe Gibbs Racing next season.

The 45-year-old's contract is up after the season, and he said "I do not think I will have the option to return to race at JGR next year."

Related: A NASCAR veteran might be getting pushed towards retirement

Gibbs addressed the issue prior to the race on Saturday night.

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"Right now there's quite a bit up in the air, and I don't think there's anything we can say that's solid or done," Gibbs said. "At least I guess what I'm saying is we'll probably come up with something in the near future. We'll probably come up with something. Right now it's still for us, we're not in a situation where we can say this is what we're doing."

Gibbs didn't confirm that Kenseth would be leaving the team, but he didn't deny it either.

"Matt's statement kind of stands on its own," Gibbs said. "We love Matt. So, I think right now is kind of a tough time for everybody. We're kind of working through some stuff."

Joe Gibbs Racing is expected to replace Kenseth with Erik Jones after the season.

Kenseth indicated that he'd still like to race, and he could take over for Dale Earnhardt Jr. in the No. 88 car next season for Hendrick Motorsports. But if he doesn't have a sponsor, he might not have a choice but to retire from full-time racing.

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(h/t NBC Sports)