Hot Topics:

Jared Turner: Kasey Kahne deserved a place in the Chase

By Jared Turner - SceneDaily Staff Writer

Thursday, September 11, 2008

Article Rating: 4.8
Rate this Article

Latest Headlines

COMMENTARY

When NASCAR decided before the 2007 season to award an extra five points for Cup race victories, it was a small step in the right direction toward placing the proper premium on winning.

The same was true for the new Chase format adopted that same year that seeds drivers going into the playoffs based on their number of regular-season wins rather than points position after 26 races.

But the plight and position of Kasey Kahne this season proves that the sanctioning body hasn’t gone far enough in its effort to reward winning.

While Kahne, a driver with three wins this season counting the non-points paying Sprint All-Star Race at Lowe’s Motor Speedway, enters the final 10 races 13th in the standings and locked outside the group of 12 drivers who will compete for the championship.
Meanwhile, five drivers with nary a win among them in 2008 are in the Chase field.

So while those five drivers - Tony Stewart, Jeff Gordon, Kevin Harvick, Matt Kenseth and Greg Biffle – bask in the spotlight and all the extra fanfare that comes with being in the Chase, Kahne will be toiling in relative obscurity over the season’s final 10 events as he seeks to become the highest-finishing non-Chase driver in the final standings.

How thrilling.

Never mind that the Gillett Evernham Motorsports driver’s two points victories this year are also twice the number of Chase drivers Dale Earnhardt Jr., Denny Hamlin, Jeff Burton and Clint Bowyer, who each found the winner’s circle just once in the regular season.

Clearly, there is something wrong with this picture.

Why should five drivers who haven’t treaded victory lane over the 26-race regular season and four others with a lone triumph in that same span get the opportunity to run for a title while a driver with two wins – or three, depending on how you see it – has to wait at least another year to have a shot at the championship?

This is a total outrage.

Of course, the explanation for how Kahne missed the Chase is simple.  While winning is more important than it used to be in NASCAR’s top series, it’s still not important enough.

The reality is that consistency, not winning, still reigns supreme in determining who gets to run for the championship and who gets to use the last 10 races of the season as little more than an extended test session for the next campaign.

With the current point system, it’s easy to see why Kahne missed the Chase. His six finishes of 30th or worse, including a pair of 40th-place results in two of the last four races leading up to NASCAR’s playoff, would have doomed almost any driver's Chase chances. They certainly did his.

So the question becomes what can or should the sanctioning body do to help ensure that a driver with Kahne’s credentials is not left out in the cold.

While there are many potential remedies, including a revision of the point system to designate more points for race wins, I say the best solution is to add what I’m calling a “wild card” driver in the Chase. That is, take the driver each year who has the most wins in the regular season among those outside the top 12 after 26 events and give him a wild card berth in the Chase field.

If two or more drivers outside the top 12 are tied for the most wins at the end of the regular season, put them all in the Chase.

The chance of more than two or three drivers matching this description is unlikely. At the most, we’re probably talking about a 15-driver Chase field – one still small enough to maintain the integrity and elite stature of the group.

Only opening up the Chase to Kahne and others like him will prove that winning really does matter.

Average Rating: 4.8

Comments

32 responses to "Jared Turner: Kasey Kahne deserved a place in the Chase"
  1. 1
    NASCAR Fan said:
    Sep 11, 2008 at 8:01 AM

    Excellent article!! I could not agree more. NASCAR says they put an emphasis on winning, so prove it and put Kahne in the Chase this year!! Anyone with multiple wins should get in automatically!

    Report as Abuse
  2. 2
    Steve Lowe said:
    Sep 11, 2008 at 8:26 AM

    I don't think I could disagree with this more. "Deserved" "Plight" - reads like he's entitled to a position in the Chase like a welfare mom is entitled to a house and new car. Kahne and GEM got what they EARNED. Yeah, Kasey won TWO races (not three, as you report...try checking facts. Yeah, he won the all-star race, but that doesn't count). Head 12 top tens, as many as a lot of chasers, but also 10 finishes of 20th or worse, including 2 DNFs in a row leading up to the chase. Not exactly a team on fire, that. Kyle Busch, for example, only had 4 races outside the top 20 and one DNF all year. Kasey got what he and his time earned. Period.

    Report as Abuse
  3. 3
    ed gordon said:
    Sep 11, 2008 at 8:32 AM

    Didn't you'all hear Kasey last weekend,he would have been in the chase if it wasn't for "the two Roush cars" blocking him in the pits.Please, GEM at tmes this season had some of the best performing cars on the track,other times,like last weekend at Richmond,they just flat out missed it.Thats why he isn't in the chase.Time to stop pointing fingers Kasey and look in the mirror.

    Report as Abuse
  4. 4
    chris welch said:
    Sep 11, 2008 at 8:37 AM

    a driver that wins or finishes last every week doesn't deserve a chance to be champion. would you want him to represent our sport if he won that way? plus, he had a chance to get in at richmond and couldn't get it done. he was junk allllll day.

    Report as Abuse
  5. 5
    beth emerson said:
    Sep 11, 2008 at 8:57 AM

    I agree he is on the outside looking in cuz he couldnt get it done. He did only have 2 races one that count. He did not run well this year. Granted Jr also only had 1 win but he ran well enough to earn his way in. Kasey needs to stop crying and try to have at least top 5 and 10s to. You dont always need the wins but you do need good finishes. i like kasey but he also needs to grow up. I feel sorry for Bud big mistake not doing what they could to stay with Jr. They also got what they deserve.

    Report as Abuse
  6. 6
    ralph stafford said:
    Sep 11, 2008 at 9:41 AM

    beth why would bud want to stay with jr it would be like throwing money in a trash can.ithink lasey is a good investment for bud. go kasey 2009 is just around the corner

    Report as Abuse
  7. 7
    Sarah Messenger said:
    Sep 11, 2008 at 9:45 AM

    I think Kasey is a great driver and he deserved to be in the Chase. What happened to him at Michigan and Bristol was not his fault. He was solidly in the top 12 until bad racing luck bit him.

    Report as Abuse
  8. 8
    Chelsea said:
    Sep 11, 2008 at 11:34 AM

    What are you guys talking about? Kasey NEVER said he'd be in the Chase had it not been for the Roush cars...he never did. He said they screwed up his day yes, which they did (his entire crew was VERY vocal about it on the radio). Those two DNFs weren't his fault...and had they not happened, he PROBABLY still would've been in the top 12. I haven't heard Kasey whine about not making the Chase. He said he's happy because they've come a long way since last year...which they have.

    Report as Abuse
  9. 9
    Loy Peacock said:
    Sep 11, 2008 at 12:08 PM

    I think that Kasey Kahne deserved a spot in the chase this year with all his hard work.. What happened to him at Michigan and Bristol was clearly not his fault the spotter should not have told him he was clear to go when he did.. That spotter needs to start looking clearly when he says he's clear when he's not clear.

    Report as Abuse
  10. 10
    Ryden Caparelli said:
    Sep 11, 2008 at 12:15 PM

    Kahne did not deserve to be in the Chase period. And while we are at it, did anyone from the Dodge camp deserve to get in? The answer is a flat out no. I will admit, Kahne more then dominated the Pocono race, but lets face it, the win in the Coca - Cola 600 was pure luck. If Tony Stewart's tire doesnt go flat on him with 2 laps to go, Stewart is the one celebrating the win in Charlotte that Sunday night in May. Khane more often then not was a also ran during the 2008 season. He had some good runs here and there, but he was more often then not seen toward the back with the rest of the Dodge camp. As long as Khane is running in a Dodge, he can expect to miss the Chase more often then not, because I dont see things getting any better for Dodge in 2009. Lets face facts here, the Charger is the biggest joke of a race car there has been in quite some time. The only reason Kahne will run in obsecurity over the last ten races is because of his and his teams performance during the 1st 26 races. Please Turner get a grip. It is not outrage that the #9 Bud car is not in the chase. I do not even place blame on Khane or his team solely for them not being in the Chase. I would give at least half if not more to Dodge. Dodge needs to take a long look at the point standings this year and realize not one made it into the Chase. That has got to say something about the manufacturer. If I were Dodge, I would look at either modifying the Charger or replacing it, because in almost 4 full seasons now, it has not been that great of a car.

    Report as Abuse
  11. 11
    Derek Sleeper said:
    Sep 11, 2008 at 12:36 PM

    This discussion comes up about this time every year. People start writing about the what if's and could have been's for the 13th place driver. It is all BS. Being in the Chase does not come down to one, two or even three events. You don't fall out because of one event or two and you sure don't get in due to one event or two. It is a 26 race, 7 month process to get into the Chase. Everyone started with the same points system and level at 0 in Daytona. Kasey just didn't have what it takes.

    Report as Abuse
  12. 12
    BILL PARHAMENKO said:
    Sep 11, 2008 at 1:22 PM

    I think that NASCAR should do away with The Chase altogether. That way no one can complain about who made the Chase and who did not. I think that this Chase thing is one of the worst ideas NASCAR has ever come up with. NASCAR should go back to the old point system and who ever has the most points at the end of the season wins the championship.

    Report as Abuse
  13. 13
    Art Garrett said:
    Sep 11, 2008 at 1:49 PM

    Well Nascar went from the top ten drivers to add two more. Now a wild card driver? How about no chase, more points for a win, no 5 points for leading a lap under yellow, and let driver with the most points at the end of the year win? WOW!

    Report as Abuse
  14. 14
    Belle Blevins said:
    Sep 11, 2008 at 2:04 PM

    Kasey Kane hasn't had a car capable of winning on a regular basis for the last 2 seasons. Everham either doesn't have the money or doesn't want to spend it to give him a deacent ride.He has the ability to win!!! He has showed his talent in the past when a lot of owners had more money to put into their cars.A lot of other talented drivers are also dealing with this.

    Report as Abuse
  15. 15
    Graceann Jackson said:
    Sep 11, 2008 at 2:37 PM

    First of all you people are a little bias. The one stating Bud should have stayed with Jr. has to be a Jr. fan. You need to get a grip. Jr. left Bud because he wanted a new start, he also made the comment "Bud made the right choice". Why does Kahne need to grow up? That makes no sense? Second, The #10 poster Yea, Stewart's tire went flat and Kahne got the win, your point? It happens all the time. I think that when Kyle wrecked Jr. Bowyer collected his 1 and only win the exact same way, he was in the right place at the right time. So your reason is void. Your 10 finishes of 20 or worse is dead in the water as well Bowyer and Hamlin have the same amount unless your not counting the All-Star Race as a Race. In my book a Race is a Race. There were 2 others with 8 races of 20 or worse finishes but those must not count either. Why don't you just admit that fact that it's Kahne you don't like, the fact is he did indeed win 2 races he would have been seeded 4th his stats were not that much different from the rest. If in fact #8 had not run into to him on purpose causing one bad finish and the engine failure plus Mears blind spotter and lets not forget Roush and his cheap shot by blocking him in the pits(which there are pictures to verify) Kahne would have been in the chase. Kahne has taken all this like a champ, unlike some of the others, he has not whined and cried about it. His fans know what happened and I guess the writer of this article does as well.

    Report as Abuse
  16. 16
    debbie kitz said:
    Sep 11, 2008 at 3:11 PM

    I was at the Richmond race ,Kahne was blocked in every pit stop . I personally do not find any thing "championship like " about any driver who cannot win at least one race.So maybe that does need to change but it won't help Kasey this year. I believe it was after his 2006 season more points were given for winning a race maybe this will help change things again. As far as Kasey whining and blaming everyone else you couldn't be more wrong . I was listening on the radio while he thanked Kenny Francis and his crew for their efforts all year and said their not making it "was just racing". I've only ever heard him be polite and gracious unlike a few of the drivers in the chase who never take responsibility for anything just blame it on their crews .I'd rather be a Kahne fan with my driver in 13Th than one of those drivers fans.

    Report as Abuse
  17. 17
    Mike Mobley said:
    Sep 11, 2008 at 4:13 PM

    Atleast Graceann, Debbie, and Chelsea got it right. The rest of you truly show the raw decay of America. It's this backwards thinking that has gotten our country in to the mess it's in. Go Kasey in '09!!!

    Report as Abuse
  18. 18
    Helen Varga said:
    Sep 11, 2008 at 5:04 PM

    I could not agree more! Winning definitely should have more weight and putting the winningest driver in the Chase as a wild-card is a great idea. Winning is hardest to do; half of Kasey's 30th or worse finishes were not of his doing so the consistency factor depends too much on luck. I hate the Chase. Why can't we just have the 36-race season come down to who has the most points from race one to race 36 and that driver be the CHAMPION?? I hate the Chase.

    Report as Abuse
  19. 19
    Chelsea said:
    Sep 11, 2008 at 5:40 PM

    I don't know why people are STILL talking about the Bud thing. Seriously, it's been almost a year now. Junior even said Bud made a really good choice, and I believe he was even pushing for them to sign Kasey (don't quote me on that one... but I remember reading something about it). Graceann, you said it perfectly. About every part of it. The Aric Almirola incident is what sticks out the most right now, aside from the Roush cars incidents at Richmond...which was completely ridiculous. And Helen, you are totally right as well. Most of those finishes of 30th or worse were not of his doing. He's had 10 finishes of 20th or worse, eh? Well that means he's had 16 finishes of 19th or better, then. The point is, he was 8th going into Michigan, and 11th going into Bristol. Those two incidents are what dropped him out. True, there are a lot of other factors that got him to 8th in the first place (before Michigan and Bristol), but those two DNFs are what cost him a place in the Chase. Both of those races he probably would've gotten top 10s (or at least top 15s), and still been in it. But, like Kasey's been saying, that's racing. You just gotta take it. He's disappointed, obviously, because it was their goal, but he's holding his head high about it...so I don't know where some of you are getting that he's whining about it.

    Report as Abuse
  20. 20
    Robert Wingert said:
    Sep 11, 2008 at 5:56 PM

    I never heard Kasey complaining about not making the chase. He's not a cry baby like Kyle Bush is.

    Report as Abuse
  21. 21
    Terry Duling said:
    Sep 11, 2008 at 7:02 PM

    Ten playoff teams ... no, twelve ... no, thirteen ... no, however many can manage a win during the regular season ... no, all the fave drivers.... Next thing you know it'll be like the NBA, where enough teams make the playoffs to render achieving that feat essentially meaningless. Say ... why not whoever can manage to finish in the top 43 in points?! No idea has so much potential that repeated tinkering can't eventually ruin.

    Report as Abuse
  22. 22
    emily bagwell said:
    Sep 11, 2008 at 8:54 PM

    Should have left the points system alone---it worked for many years --if it ain't broke, don't fix it. I sympathize with you Kasey fans---I been there, done that with my driver. But he's still Kasey and still racing so in the big picture, it's okay

    Report as Abuse
  23. 23
    del brown said:
    Sep 11, 2008 at 9:34 PM

    No - it should take more than winning a couple of races to make the Chase. The performance level needs to be good all year. If a car team can win a race or two then they should be able to get a top 10 or 15 finish most weeks. If a team can't then it'll probably miss the Chase. That's the way it is and the way it should be.

    Report as Abuse
  24. 24
    Matthew Connors said:
    Sep 11, 2008 at 9:46 PM

    Post #10 from Ryden hit the nail on the head. Even the article from Jared Turner failed to mention the word "Dodge." That is the key to this whole situation. Not a single Dodge is in the chase, and that's the issue. It is, quite simply, a matter of being outperformed by the mega-teams with Chevy (RCR, HMS), Toyota (JGR) and Ford (RFR). GEM and Penske, Ganassi to a lesser degree, seemed to be in the best position to get a Dodge into the chase, but they failed to do so. It takes solid performance in all 26 races to make the "playoffs." Unfortunately, Dodge and their teams didn't perform as well as the others. Now more than ever NASCAR is a team sport, and that is the chief reason why only four teams are represented among the 12 cars/drivers in the Chase in 2008.

    Report as Abuse
  25. 25
    keith manning said:
    Sep 12, 2008 at 4:27 AM

    I have a great idea lets include 43 drivers in the chase field starting from daytona all the way to Homestead. The driver with the most points after homestead wins the championship. Now thats a chase

    Report as Abuse
  26. 26
    Graceann Jackson said:
    Sep 12, 2008 at 7:10 AM

    Yea Matthew, I think you said it perfectly. The mega-teams out performed the others. Gee I wonder why? Don't you think for being one of the "little guys" with no help from team-mates running up front with you to help with the draft, to help block for you, or maybe give you that extra push across the finish line that Kahne did a fantastic job with just the help of the #9 crew and team director Kenny Francis? I'd say that's quite an accomplishment considering he is all by his self with out the funding of a Mega-team and 3-4 team-mates helping out. It takes talent and sheer determination t get as far as he did in the equipment he had to compete with, the other drivers just have to drive.

    Report as Abuse
  27. 27
    beth emerson said:
    Sep 12, 2008 at 10:23 AM

    Listen I happen to like Kasey very much. Never said he not a great kid. But to get into thwe chase you need to have more than wins. Kasey has not had the cars he deserves. But I still say you need top fives and tens to. You get real people the ones who ran well are the ones in the chase. I really dont care who wins as long as Busch doesnt. As far as my comment about bud I meant they must not be felling to good. While they were with Jr they were in the chase. In am glad Jr has amp and the guard.

    Report as Abuse
  28. 28
    Jennifer Nelsen said:
    Sep 12, 2008 at 3:28 PM

    I agree with U 110%. There are a couple of drivers that do not belong in the chase. I guess again consisency comes in to play. Kasey has 2 point races wins and still did not make the chase. Who acturall belongs a winner this year or someone that has not won yet this season. Kasey is a great driver that should be in the chase. Well hope those 5 drivers will win this year so I won't be too dissappointed that Kahne did not make the chase. GOOD LUCK KAHNE THE REST OF THE YEAR and so win 4 or more races in the next 10 races.

    Report as Abuse
  29. 29
    Karen said:
    Sep 13, 2008 at 9:21