CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) -- Matt Kenseth has kept his name out of the rumor mill for most of his NASCAR career.

When it finally popped up, it was a bombshell: The Sprint Cup Series points leader was planning his departure from Roush Fenway Racing.

Kenseth is now explaining part of his decision to leave Roush. He has a new deal in place with a new team, but said he is not ready to announce where he will be in 2013. All signs point to Joe Gibbs Racing, one of the few teams that would not be considered a step down for the 2003 Cup champion.

Kenseth says the deal came together quickly over the last few weeks, and telling owner Jack Roush he was leaving was one of the hardest conversations of his life.