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| Subject: Preview- Kasey Kahne: Nascar.com | |
Author: Melissa | [ Next Thread |
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] Date Posted: 08:21:02 01/26/05 Wed CONCORD, N.C. -- Like Tony Stewart, Ryan Newman and Jimmie Johnson in recent years before him, Kasey Kahne made a mockery of the exorbitant learning curve all Nextel Cup rookies face, but many fail to compress. Kahne's 13 top-five finishes in 2004 nearly equaled Newman's 2002 output (14), and more than doubled the number of top-fives Johnson scored as a rookie (six). He started quickly, posting a pair of runner-up finishes to Matt Kenseth in the season's second and third races. And while Kahne was close on several occasions -- he recorded five second-place finishes overall -- he never did break through to Victory Lane. That, he says, should change in 2005 with the help of new personnel and an upgraded restrictor-plate package. "With me being a rookie last year, it was tough on the team to know (in what areas) to work," Kahne said. "This year we have a better idea where we have to get better. We'll be much better at plate races and can save tests until the end of the year." The addition of Slugger Labbe and Chris Andrews to the Evernham Motorsports camp is critical. Labbe was a major player in developing the dominant plate program at Dale Earnhardt, Inc., displayed time and again over the past several years by Dale Earnhardt, Jr. and Michael Waltrip. Kahne has already seen marked improvement. "I was shocked how good the car was (at Preseason Thunder) compared to last year, how bad it was," he said. Along with the new personnel, Evernham joins Chip Ganassi Racing and Penske South in making the switch from the Intrepid to the Charger. Expectations are lofty. "Last year there were no expectations. Nobody really expected us to run much better than 30th probably at times, so that was pretty easy to run up front because people didn't expect you to run up there," Kahne said. "We had a good race team, but this year we need to run up front because there will be more expectations. Our whole team has higher expectations. Last year we wanted to finish in the top 15 and win the Raybestos Rookie of the Year award. "We were able to do that. This year we need to run in the top 10 every week and get in that Chase for the Nextel Cup." Kahne narrowly missed the Chase last season, and feels certain that qualification this year will require a quick start, followed by a consistent run through the first 26 weeks. With a year of experience, teams are better versed on how to approach the new format, so getting out of the box quickly -- and eliminating the possibility of having to play catch-up -- is vital. "I've learned that sooner or later you're going to have a problem," Kahne said. "There are things you have no control over, so it's better to have that cushion than to have to make it up later." Unlike last year, when having a rookie driver forced crew chief Tommy Baldwin to exhaust his allotted tests early, the No. 9 team can save testing for later in the year. Kahne excelled at intermediate venues in 2004. He feels the need to improve elsewhere. "I need to pick up on the short tracks, road courses and speedway races," he said. "The testing we're going to do is going to be on those type of tracks because I struggle there more than other types of tracks. We'll really work on that. "I need to be more consistent each week and run better on short tracks and road courses. We lost a lot of points at Sears Point, and I think we finished 13th at Watkins Glen." Baldwin, Kahne & Co. have the right formula. It's about fine-tuning. "To get to Victory Lane and be successful, make the Chase, we just have to keep putting ourselves in position to be successful," Kahne said. "If we do that, we'll be fine. It's the little things, mainly. The little things make the difference. The little things are huge this year." ******************************* I have a REALLY good feeling about this season! Melissa Texas [ Next Thread | Previous Thread | Next Message | Previous Message ] |
| [> Subject: Re: Preview- Kasey Kahne: Nascar.com | |
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Author: Dodgeramgirl [ Edit | View ] |
Date Posted: 11:53:22 01/26/05 Wed I feel like dancin'! LOL! This year is gonna be awesome! Kristen K. Georgia > >******************************* >I have a REALLY good feeling about this season! > > >Melissa >Texas [ Post a Reply to This Message ] |