Kahne revives Chase hopes with win at California

September 4, 2006
By Bruce Martin SportsTicker Contributing Editor

FONTANA, California (Ticker) -- Kasey Kahne scored a victory that was vital to his efforts in making NASCAR's Nextel "Chase for the Championship."

Kahne capitalized on rookie Reed Sorenson's late misfortune to win Sunday night's Sony HD 500 at California Speedway.

It was the series-leading fifth victory this season and sixth career for Kahne, who entered the weekend 90 points behind veteran Mark Martin for the 10th and final berth in the Chase.

But Kahne made a visit to Victory Lane when he needed it most and heads into next weekend's regular-season finale at Richmond just 30 points outside of the cutoff for the 10-race playoff that will determine the 2006 champion.

"The team worked their butts off to get back in the Chase," said Kahne, who completed a double-duty sweep after winning both the Busch and Nextel Cup Series races here this weekend. "The only way we can do it is lead the most laps and win the race."

Sorenson made his final pit stop with 55 laps remaining in the 250-lap event, a gamble which came back to haunt him. Owning a six-second lead over Kahne with just two laps left, Sorenson's Dodge Charger ran out of fuel along the backstretch, allowing Kahne's Dodge to pull in front for good.

Dale Earnhardt Jr. finished second in a Chevrolet Monte Carlo, followed by the Chevrolet of rookie Clint Bowyer and the Ford Fusion of Carl Edwards, both of whom are out of contention for the Chase. Jeff Gordon rounded out the top five in a Chevy.

"That's my best finish here," said Earnhardt, who climbed to seventh in the standings. "We're glad to get a second anywhere. It's a good finish and we're having fun, and that's what it's all about."

Kahne led Earnhardt by 6.213 seconds with 15 laps remaining, but fuel was an issue. Kahne would have to pit for just a few seconds of fuel to make it to the end. He made that stop with 12 laps remaining, allowing his team to change two tires and refuel.

Kahne was nailed for entering pit road too early during a caution period on lap 160, jeopardizing his quest for the Chase.

But despite falling back to the end of the longest line on the restart and dropping to 24th place, Kahne overcame his seemingly insurmountable deficit.

"This was an unbelievable night to fall down by a lap," Kahne said. "These guys fought back from that. We got better when the sun went down."

The caution flag waved on lap 192 for debris with Kahne leading defending race winner Kyle Busch and Scott Riggs. When the lead group of cars pitted, Martin was the first off pit road by only changing two tires, giving him the lead off the restart on lap 195.

But Ellliott Sadler, who did not pit, took the lead one lap later.

With 50 laps remaining, the Evernham Motorsports duo of Sadler and Kahne were running first and second, respectively. Kahne took the lead on lap 204 and five laps later, all three Evernham drivers were running 1-2-3 with Kahne leading Sadler and Riggs.

Matt Kenseth ran seventh in a Ford and took a nine-point lead in the standings over Jimmie Johnson, who ran 11th in a Chevy.

Kenseth made it up to third place with 30 laps to go but was passed by Earnhardt five laps later.

Johnson pitted for four tires with 19 laps remaining, signaling the beginning of the last round of pit stops.


http://sports.yahoo.com/nascar/news;_ylt=A...ov=st&type=lgns

Kahne wins at Fontana, closes in on top 10

By MIKE HARRIS, AP Auto Racing Writer

September 4, 2006

FONTANA, Calif. (AP) -- Kasey Kahne knew exactly what he needed to do in Sunday night's NASCAR Nextel Cup race at California Speedway.

``I came here telling myself, `You've got to win. You've got to win. You have to go out there and lead laps,' `` Kahne said.

The 26-year-old Cup star managed both in the Sony HD 500, earning his series-leading fifth win of the season and closing in on a spot in the Chase for the championship with one race remaining.

To do it, Kahne had to overcome a penalty, a series of challengers and a daring fuel gamble by rookie Reed Sorenson at the end.

``These guys fought back with great pit stops,'' Kahne said. ``I just can't thank this team enough. They just worked their butts off to get us back in this Chase and at least now we have a chance going into Richmond next week.''

Not even a penalty for speeding on pit road halfway through the 250-lap race could stop Kahne, who fell back briefly to 24th. His No. 9 Evernham Motorsports Dodge stuck with the leaders and, thanks to a two-tire pit stop on lap 176 that got him up to second, Kahne was in position to drive past Dale Earnhardt Jr. for the lead after the green flag came back out on lap 180.

After falling back again when several other cars made two-tire pit stops, Kahne outdueled new teammate Elliott Sadler to regain the top spot on lap 197. But there was yet another challenge for the 26-year-old driver, who led a race-high 132 laps.

Several drivers, including Sorenson, tried to stretch their final tank of gas to the finish and the 20-year-old Sorenson, who drives for Chip Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates, almost pulled off his first victory and the first for the team since 2002. He took the lead on lap 241 after most of the top cars pitted for a splash of gas and two tires.

Kahne, who gave up the lead when he made his final stop on lap 238, found himself in fifth, nearly 14 seconds behind Sorenson. Kahne charged hard, grabbing second from rookie Clint Bowyer on lap 247, but was still more than 7 seconds behind the leader.

But Sorenson lost his gamble, running out of gas starting lap 249. Kahne zoomed past and raced away for the sixth victory of his career, beating Earnhardt to the finish by 3.428 seconds. Sorenson wound up 21st.

``You think a lot,'' Kahne said of all the ups and downs in the race. ``You think about not making mistakes, not doing anything wrong. But you still have to be aggressive.

``We made a lot of good calls tonight and we definitely deserved this one.''

Kahne had slumped badly after getting off to a tremendous start this season, with four wins in the first 15 races. Team director Kenny Francis was ecstatic after Sunday's win.

``That's the biggest win of the year so far,'' he said. ``We have to race into this thing and the guys did a great job. Kasey did an awesome job driving tonight.''

Kahne started the night 90 points behind 10th-place Mark Martin and remained 11th in the battle for a spot in the 10-man Chase. But he will go to Richmond for next Saturday night's race just 30 points behind Jeff Burton, who fall behind Martin into 10th.

``This is all we could do,'' Kahne said. ``We gained the most points we could possibly gain on a weekend. These other guys up there in the top 10, they're up there for a reason. You're not going to make that kind of a gain on them every week.

``I wasn't sure how far we'd be back, but 30's a lot closer than 90, and it could have been a lot worse than 90. It's a big jump. Anything can happen at Richmond. It's going to be a wild race there and, hopefully, we're on the good side of things.''

Earnhardt, who has struggled on the 2-mile California oval in his last five starts, was very happy with his strong run this time.

``We're glad to get a second anywhere, especially in California and (on) this kind of race track,'' said Earnhardt, who failed to make the Chase last year. ``We've really turned that around.

``I don't really get into the pressure of the Chase. The pressure is trying to run good, no matter what.''

Bowyer held on for third place, followed by Carl Edwards, three-time California winner Jeff Gordon, rookie Denny Hamlin and new points leader Matt Kenseth.

Jimmie Johnson, who finished 11th Sunday night, had led the standings for all but two weeks this season but now tails Kenseth by nine points. Those two remain the only drivers who have clinched berths in the 10-race Chase. Kevin Harvick remained third, but the rest of the top 10 was shuffled considerably.

Heading for Richmond, 72 points separate fourth-place Jeff Gordon from Burton, with Kyle Busch, Earnhardt, Hamlin, defending series champion Tony Stewart and Martin in between.


http://sports.yahoo.com/nascar/news;_ylt=A...ov=ap&type=lgns

FONTANA, Calif. -- Kasey Kahne overcame a penalty and a series of challenges Sunday night at California Speedway to win his fifth race of the season and close in on a spot in NASCAR's Chase for the Nextel Cup championship with one race remaining.

"These guys fought back with great pit stops,'' Kahne said. "I just can't thank this team enough. They just worked their butts off to get us back in this Chase and at least now we have a chance going into Richmond next week.''

Not even a penalty for speeding on pit road halfway through the 250-lap Sony HD 500 could stop Kahne, who fell back briefly to 24th. His No. 9 Evernham Motorsports Dodge stuck with the leaders and, thanks to a two-tire pit stop on Lap 176 that got him up to second, Kahne was in position to drive past Dale Earnhardt Jr. for the lead after the green flag came back out on Lap 180.

After falling back again when several other cars made two-tire pit stops, Kahne outdueled new teammate Elliott Sadler to regain the top spot on Lap 197. But there was yet another challenge for the 26-year-old driver, who led a race-high 132 laps.

Several drivers tried to stretch their final tank of gas to the finish and rookie Reed Sorenson almost pulled it off, taking the lead on Lap 241 after most of the top cars pitted for a splash of gas and two tires.

Kahne, who gave up the lead when he made his final stop on Lap 238, was fifth, nearly 14 seconds behind when Sorenson took the top spot. Kahne charged hard, grabbing second from rookie Clint Bowyer on Lap 247, but was still more than 7 seconds behind the leader.

But Sorenson lost his gamble, running out of gas starting Lap 249. Kahne zoomed past and raced away for the sixth victory of his career, beating Earnhardt to the finish by 3.428 seconds.

"I was all out, man,'' Kahne said. "We had to get back to the front and [team director] Kenny [Francis] did two tires. Then I think I passed about 10 cars, then battled by Junior and led some laps.

"Awesome engine, probably the best I've ever had.''

Kahne had slumped badly after getting off to a tremendous start this season, with four wins in the first 15 races. Francis was ecstatic after Sunday's win.

"That's the biggest win of the year so far,'' he said. "We have to race into this thing and the guys did a great job. Kasey did an awesome job driving.''

Kahne started the night 90 points behind 10th-place Mark Martin and remained 11th in the battle for a spot in the 10-man Chase. But he will go to Richmond for next Saturday night's race just 30 points behind Jeff Burton, who fall behind Martin into 10th.

"I wasn't sure how far we'd be back, but 30's a lot closer than 90, and it could have been a lot worse than 90,'' Kahne said. "It's a big jump. Anything can happen at Richmond. It's going to be a wild race there and, hopefully, we're on the good side of things.''

Earnhardt, who has struggled on the 2-mile California oval in his last five starts, was very happy with his strong run this time.

"We're glad to get a second anywhere, especially in California and [on] this kind of racetrack,'' said Earnhardt, who failed to make the Chase last year. "We've really turned that around.

"I don't really get into the pressure of the Chase. The pressure is trying to run good, no matter what.''

Bowyer held on for third place, followed by Carl Edwards, three-time California winner Jeff Gordon, rookie Denny Hamlin and new points leader Matt Kenseth.

Jimmie Johnson, who finished 11th Sunday night, had led the standings for all but two weeks this season but now tails Kenseth by nine points. Those two remain the only drivers who have clinched berths in the 10-race Chase. Kevin Harvick remained third, but the rest of the top 10 was shuffled considerably.

Heading for Richmond, 72 points separate fourth-place Gordon from Burton, with Kyle Busch, Earnhardt, Hamlin, defending series champion Tony Stewart and Martin in between.


http://www.nascar.com/2006/news/headlines/...y.ap/index.html

Kahne Reigns

Kahne Do

Kahne Sweeps At California

Fuel Again A Factor As Kahne Scores the Sweep

from the fuel again article this is so cute

Kahne's father, Kelly, was in California with his son earlier this weekend but went home to Washington Friday night.

"He called last night and said he was going to get the broom out," Kasey said. "He said he was going to put it in the front room just in case."

Right, as it turned out, where it needed to be.

Kahne's father, Kelly, was in California with his son earlier this weekend but went home to Washington Friday night.

"He called last night and said he was going to get the broom out," Kasey said. "He said he was going to put it in the front room just in case."

Right, as it turned out, where it needed to be.


Aw, Papa Kahne . . . So sweet. :) He should have stayed, dangit. Lol

Woah, I think we were posting at the same time. Weird . . . Lol

This pretty boy can flat-out drive

LOL that this is at least the third article I've read in the past few weeks that has described Kasey as tall. B) I think the writers are paying too much attention to the driver bios or media kits, where the...less tall drivers are always listed as 3-4 inches taller than they actually are. (Kasey is usually listed as 5'9" or 5'10"). But I'm glad some of the people are acknowledging his skill, no matter what he looks like. :)