Kasey Kahne 2006 Preview
The 2005 season was suppose to be the breakout year for second year driver Kasey Kahne, instead it turned into a huge disappointment. Yes...Kasey finally recorded that elusive victory from the 2004 season but besides that things did not go the #9 teams way. Maybe it was bad luck, but Kahne found himself standing around in the garage area, while his team worked on a wrecked vehicle, during quite a few races last season. Can Kahne shrug off the sophomore jinx to run competitive in 2006?
Team: Evernham Racing Sponsor: UAW/Dodge Dealers Crew Chief: Kenny Francis
2005 Stats:
1 Win (Chevy American Revolution 500, Richmond Speedway)
2 Poles
5 Top Fives
8 Top Tens
23rd in Final Standings
If Kasey Kahne is put in adequate equipment for 2006 then he will put the car in the top 10 but if not.. then it could be another long year for the #9 team. We all know Kahne has the talent to be competitive each week but I believe it all depends on his teams ability to function together that should tell his 2006 season. Look for Kahne to run well at mile & half and short tracks, but for him to get in the chase he will have to prove himself on the restrictor plate tracks and road courses.
posted by 4thsteagle at 1:34 PM
2 Comments:
I totally agree with you that if Kahne is put in good equipment he will run well. I think he will benefit tremendously from a new crew and crew direcxtor. I disagree with you on the comment about Kahne having to run well on the restrictor plate tracks. He didnt run great at those tracks last year but it is the mile and a half tracks that are going to determine if you make the chase or not. I do agree that he needs to imporve on the restrictor plate tracks and road courses. I am a big Kasey Kahne fan but he has to improve on all of the tracks to make the chase, the mile and half tracks are the most important though. If he is able to run those tracks like he did his rookie season look out for a championship contender. I think it is going to take some help from NASCAR for this to happen though. Most of the Dodge drivers had trouble trying to balance the cars and it seems that the nose of the car was the biggest problem. If NASCAR helps them Kahne should have a fast start to 2006, if they dont then it could be another long year for the number 9 crew.
I agree with you about the Dodge Charger being weaker than the other makes but still have to say that Kahne has shown that he runs good a mile & half tracks, when compared to the other tracks (short, restrictor, & road courses. Take these stats in consideration, Top Tens in Kahnes career: Restrictor Plate Tracks: 0, Road Course Tracks: 0, Short Tracks: 4, Mile & Half to 2 Mile Tracks: (Including Darlington which is almost a mile & half) 11, Other Tracks (Indy, Hew Hampshire, etc): 7. Yes..every track is different but you have to kkep in mind that a lot of teams run the same cars at tracks that are larger than a mile 1/2 up to 2 1/2 like the Brickyard. But either way he will have to have all around better luck in 06.
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