“I can’t hear you” is what Kasey Kahne told ESPN Reporters after a crash in New Hampshire Motor Speedway. Whether that was ringing in the ears from the crash, or the simple fact of racecar’s high volume, Kahne was disappointed. An entire season’s work of drama, sweat and tears go into preparing a championship caliber team and after NHMS (New Hampshire Motor Speedway) it isn’t shaping up to be Kahne’s championship year.
Kahne was able to salvage a 12th place finish in the “Windy City” (Chicago, home of the first chase race) after struggling the middle part of the race. Struggle or not, Kahne came into NHMS with a legit shot at the championship.
After starting second, Kahne was able to barrel his way past Ryan Newman to the lead. He led the next 31 laps before the second caution of the day arose for debris causing all 43 drivers to pit. Kahne’s crew wasn’t so “hot” on pit road and it cost him a few spots. With under 50 to go, Kahne was caught towards the rear of the top ten racing with Jeff Burton and Brian Vickers. Coming off turn 4 on lap 253, Kahne’s rear end whipped around smacking the driver-side of his car into the inside wall. The wreck caused Kahne’s steering to be knocked out forcing him to take the mandatory trip to the infield car center.
“I really don’t know what happened,” he said “Just racing and I’m not sure if there was contact or if I just spun. I seriously don’t really remember how it happened.”
After a somewhat awkward pause, it was pointed out to Kahne that the rear of his Chevy seemed to break loose.
“I’m not sure,” he said. “I hit the inside wall, but I’m not sure how I got there.”
Kahne’s crew was able to minimize the damage by getting him back on the track and ending up a very sad 37th position. Kahne started the race 10th in the Chase but now he has fallen to the final spot (13th). Kahne heads to Dover International Raceway, where he finished 23rd position in June, a huge 71 points behind series points leader Matt Kenseth.
The No. 5 team isn’t out of it yet and with 8 races left before we crown a championship they are looking to have NO flaws.
