KASEY KAHNE (No. 9 Dodge Dealers/UAW Dodge Charger)

“It just happened and it was a bad deal, but we were fast. Kenny (Team Director Francis) and the guys did a good job. There was only one battle for the lead all night and that was me and Tony. We had a blast. I was flying, but he was a little better than I was. We had a good time. We had a good race. The good thing is we’ve got two races left. We can still have a shot at winning and we can look forward to next year. Tony was too good. I think if we could have had a caution with 20 to go and got four tires and worked on it a little bit, I think we had a shot, but he was too good.

“When it went to the caution I thought we were going to have a shot at Tony. I don’t know if we could have got him. He was pretty strong all night, but we would have had a legitimate shot. The engine just broke under caution. It was a weird deal. I’m surprised that happened. That’s racing, and we’ve got a couple to go this year and we’ll try to make the best of them and come back and have some fun next year. It was my last chance to gain some points on some of the guys. Jimmie is running great again. Matt Kenseth is up there still. We probably could have run in the top five, but we’re in The Chase and we’re having fun. We’ve had some tough weekends. Last weekend was really hard, and this weekend is tough, too, but we look forward to the last two races. I started catching the 20 and my right rear was going flat. That’s why the 20 started pulling away. That’s why Jimmie got by. We were probably the best car on the end of that run until the right rear went down. We lost about 25 pounds in the tire before I pitted.”



I'm still proud of Kasey and the 9 team. They fought hard all night and didn't know the engine was going to blow. They'll come back strong next week and go after that win. Move on and just put this weekend behind you.. that's all you can do.

Kasey is just awesome no doubt about it. Can't wait for next week. Even if I won't be here for the race :(

I'm really glad he's not getting to down about everything, nothing he can do. Just do your best and let things happen

We all know they were the only ones that had a shot at Tony :)

I love how upbeat his attitude was, considering what happened. One of these years his luck (if you don't believe in luck call it what ever you want) will change and he will be unstoppable. Look at all he has accomplished this year so far. How would have thought after last year he would have 6 wins and been as strong in other races as he has been.



If Kasey doesn't end up higher that 9th in the points, I hope people don't compare his Chase year to Jeremy's (not a fan). I think you have to look at the whole races not just the results. I know that results are what matter. But if you are running 2nd challenging for the lead and blow and engine thats different than being just a 20-30 place car.

Kasey is awesome! :)

I'm glad he realizes that there was nothing that he could do about that. His post-race interview was really upbeat, and he was smiling. The battle with Tony, and the knowledge that they were the only team to be able to hang with the 20 without the benefit of lapped traffic, were enough to keep him happy. And that's good. I'm really proud of how he handled that.

I'm looking forward to next season. From everything I've heard, both from Kenny and Kasey, they're looking at making their programs on some of the other tracks a bit stronger. And as Kasey noted, it's as much about the cars they bring as it is the driver growing from race to race. He's grown a lot this season, and learned from his mistakes. And as I noted a couple races ago, there truly isn't a track that Kasey *can't* run well at after this season. He's had some really strong runs on tracks that have historically been really crappy for him -- that's what we need to be a true championship team.

With as focused as Kenny is, and the focus that Kasey is learning from him (for sure), I only see positive things coming from next season. :)

I really want him to win Phoenix.

I seriously thought Kasey was kidding when he said it blew up... that or talking about Biffle... BUT there was nothing he could do and I'm happy that he's staying upbeat and seeing that... no need to beat yourself up...

I'm so proud of Kasey and the 9 Team... they worked their butts off tonight... and they didn't give up! :clap

I thought he was kidding, too.. then when I heard Kenny ask.. "What'd you just say?!" Then I was like, aww fuck.

I really liked how Kasey handled the whole situation when they interviewed him. He has the best attitude and it's really good to hear him think positively :)

GO KASEY!!!

I agree. We all know that Kasey is quick to get down on himself. They had a helluva race going! Onward to Phoenix and hopefully win #7!

yea, I have a feeling we'll hear those comparsions but they aren't true.......his bad races he's had a shot to win and that wasn't the case with Jeremy

but they are gearing up for an awesome run next year and I can't wait......of course we still got 2 awesome runs left in them this year too!

kasey is the best.

he is my favorite person in the world

he can take care of anything and always have a great attitude

:clap

I'm not so quick to call Kasey Superman or anything, but he's had a good season and hopefully next year there'll be fewer mistakes made by both driver and crew to put them in contention.

I am dreading hearing those comparisons too. Kasey has been competive in almost every race in the Chase, Jeremy wasn't.

In '04, Jeremy ended the season 10th and 506 points back.

In '05, Jeremy finished 9th and 460 points back.

Looking STRICTLY at points, Kasey and Jeremy's Chase runs don't really compare. So. Yeah. People can suck my big toe if they want to play that game.

Same here.

Well I guess it wasn't meant to be in 2006, though it's been a great year. Nobody on that team is getting down about it either. That's the great part. I'm sure Kasey realizes now that the wreck last week and the engine this week were two completely independent events, and that there was nothing he could do about the engine this week. It just wasn't meant to be.

Is it Febuary yet?


lol

:hehe I wish!!

haha i have good feelings about next year
im sad the season is coming to an end... seems like it just started. geez time flies
kasey is great, and the championship just wasnt meant to be this year!