Matt Kenseth races at Wild Adventures

VALDOSTA — Less than 24 hours after finishing fifth in the Coca-Cola 600 Matt Kenseth came down to Wild Adventures for a day of go-cart racing and autograph signing.

“It’s always fun to come down here and do this kind of thing,” said Kenseth on Monday. “You never know what to expect.”

“It is still just kind of surprising or amazing to me to see how many fans come out and support us.”

Wild Adventures, along with other local media teamed up for the fourth year to bring a NASCAR driver to the park and race against fans from across the country. Many entered, but 14 lucky fans had the chance to go up against one of racing’s elite.

“We definitely wanted to bring him out and give people who are normally not able, the chance to meet him,” said Wild Adventures public relations coordinator Tiffany Lewis.

After the race Kenseth signed everything from pictures, to shirts, to hats, and even a racing suit.

“He’s just a good clean driver with a nice attitude,” said one fan, Tanya Hodge from South Carolina. “It’s nice to see someone with such a positive attitude.”

The whole Hodge family made the trip on Memorial Day weekend to meet Kenseth. The biggest fan in the family, however, was the youngest. Thomas Hodge, 6, just celebrated his birthday with a chance to meet his favorite driver.

“I think he’s cool because he’s a good race car driver,” said Thomas who also brought a suit and helmet for Kenseth to sign.

The veteran driver did not seem tired at all after an early afternoon race and hour’s worth of autograph signing. The Coca-Cola 600 started at 5 PM on Sunday and Kenseth arrived at the airport at noon on Monday.

“It wasn’t too bad for me. I live about 45 minutes from the track so I was able to go home last night and get some rest.”

The number 17, DeWalt sponsored driver in the Nextel Cup has had an impressive run so far this season. After his fifth place finish on Sunday night Kenseth moved into second in the points standings.

Kenseth has driven his Roush Racing Ford to one win, seven top five, and eight top 10 finishes. He finds himself 109 points behind leader Jimmie Johnson.

“I felt good about the race last night, we finished well,” said Kenseth. “I wasn’t happy about the way the car ran, but we finished high.”

“Right now I think we’re in great position. If you can be in the top 10, comfortably in the top 10, with less than 15 races you are in good position to make a run.”