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Kasey Kahne's good for a reason at Lowe's Motor Speedway

By Bob Pockrass - Associate Editor

Sunday, October 12, 2008

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John Harrelson / Getty Images for NASCAR

John Harrelson / Getty Images for NASCAR

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CONCORD, N.C. - Ask Kasey Kahne about why he’s so good at Lowe’s Motor Speedway, and Kahne will credit Gillett Evernham Motorsports team director Kenny Francis.

“Kenny Francis, Gillett Evernham, we have good setups,” Kahne said following the Bank of America 500. “Every time we came here four or five years, the cars have been good.”
   
So what’s the secret Kenny?
   
“Oh, I don’t know,” Francis said. “Kasey is good here.”
   
Kahne was exceptional at LMS earlier this season when he swept the all-star race and the Coca-Cola 600 in May. He nearly completed the sweep, finishing second behind Jeff Burton in the Bank of America 500 Saturday night.
   
Seventh when the caution came out with 37 laps remaining and then third following a two-tire pit stop, Kahne got by Jimmie Johnson but never could catch Burton before the checkered flag.
   
“[When] you run well, you kind of figure out what you’re looking for, what you want the car to do in the corners and things,” the driver of the No. 9 Gillett Evernham Dodge said. “We’ve had a lot of great luck, too. We put on two tires at the right time.  We’ve taken zero at the right time.
   
“We got the lucky dog at the right time, which puts on new tires. The caution comes out 10 laps later, half the guys pit, we’re still on fairly new tires and up front.”
   
The setup Kahne had at the end of the race was a good bit different than what won him the race in May, Francis said.
   
“I think Kasey has got a good [feel] for the track,” Francis said. “He knows where he needs to run and the biggest thing at any track is getting up off the corner good, and he’s getting off these corners good. He’s got a good idea on how to drive off the corner to get the best exit and I think that’s why he is good here.”
   
But just because Kahne is good at LMS doesn’t just correlate to other tracks, even the 1.5-mile ovals, Francis said.
   
“We’ll keep working to try to find ways to be this good at other tracks,” Kahne said. “That’s the main thing. We run pretty strong here all the time.  We have to figure out how to be this strong at other race tracks.”
   
While Kahne is not in the Chase, Francis said the team is not necessarily preparing for next year. It is more experimenting to get another win this year.
   
“You just have to keep working at it and chipping away and eventually the tide turns and comes back your way,” Francis said.

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Comments

8 responses to "Kasey Kahne's good for a reason at Lowe's Motor Speedway"
  1. 1
    DJ G said:
    Oct 12, 2008 at 7:24 AM

    Kasey Has PROVED time and time again ..... he is a contender!!!! bad luck is NOT his or Kenny's fault!!! Way to go #9 team!!!!

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  2. 2
    Chelsea said:
    Oct 12, 2008 at 9:03 AM

    It was awesome seeing him finish 2nd yesterday, especially after the last few weeks. Kasey & Kenny have an amazing chemistry...it was neither of their faults as to why they missed the Chase this year.

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  3. 3
    Helen Varga said:
    Oct 12, 2008 at 11:26 AM

    Kasey and Kenny have learned so much and keep getting better at working together and I'm so proud of both of them. Kasey showed again last night that he is AWESOME and will ALWAYS BE A CONTENDER. He should've been in the Chase. I hate the Chase. But I love Kasey and 2nd place is wonderful to see for a driver who deserves so much!

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  4. 4
    angela smodell said:
    Oct 12, 2008 at 1:12 PM

    GOOD JOB KASEY KAHNE ANGELA FLORIDA

    Report as Abuse
  5. 5
    Belle Blevins said:
    Oct 12, 2008 at 1:36 PM

    A good guy had a great race. He's my #1 driver, but sure am happy for Burton. He's another good guy, that deserves to win the chase.Kasey, like a lot of drivers, has had more than his share of bad luck this year.

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  6. 6
    Graceann Jackson said:
    Oct 12, 2008 at 2:00 PM

    Kahne and Francis do have the chemistry it takes to be top contenders. They prove time and time again that they respect each other and their crew members. They never place blame on anyone when things go wrong, they work it out as a team and someday that will pay off big for THE #9 team. Great finish guys I am proud to be a fan.

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  7. 7
    angela smodell said:
    Oct 12, 2008 at 2:05 PM

    kasey kahne a cute nascar driver angela smodell

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  8. 8
    Lynn Johnson said:
    Oct 15, 2008 at 2:20 PM

    Kasey SHOULD be in the CHASE !! What hurts is it was no fault of his own. He'll get'em next year. He and Kenny and the whole team will work until they get it RIGHT U WATCH

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