Based on what I have seen during the first half of the Sprint Cup Series season, it is clear that Kasey Kahne will contend for the championship this season. In comparing this season to 2007, Kahne already has more wins (Lowe's and Pocono), top 5s, and top 10s this season than he did all of last season. Also through the first half of the season Kahne has no DNF's compared to the 6 he had all of last season. In order to win in the Sprint Cup Series, it has been proven year after year that a driver must show consistency and if this is not consistency, then I don't know what is. Compared to other top drivers in the series, look at these stats:- Only Kyle Busch and Carl Edwards have more wins this season than Kasey Kahne (6 & 3 respectively).
- Out of all the chase contenders, only currently ranked 3rd place driver Jeff Burton has completed more laps during the entire 2008 season.
- Kasey Kahne is only one of six drivers to finish every race this season
On August 6th, 2007 team owner Ray Evernham decided it was necessary to merge the team with businessman George Gillett. In order to still successfully compete in the Sprint Cup Series, Evernham felt this move was necessary to continue. The merger allowed Evernham to focus more on the on-track performance than on the business end of things. Partly because of this, the team has shown drastic improvement since it's dominating 2006 season. At this point in the 2007 season Kahne was 26th in points compared to his current 8th place standing. Even though fellow Gillett Evernham Racing teammate Elliott Sadler is close to the same ranking in the point series now compared to last season, he has more top 5s and top 10s right now than all of last season. The #10 car is still struggling, however, but that is partly because of rookie driver Patrick Carpentier still is learning how to drive in the series.
Kasey Kahne has shown that he can do well at any track under any circumstance on the schedule this season:
- Winner of the All-Star Race, 600 mile race at Lowe's, and the grueling 500 mile race at Pocono
- 2 top 10s in the 3 restrictor plate races this season (two 7th place finishes at Daytona)
- Short track finishes- Martinsville-17th, Richmond-10th, Bristol-7th
- Despite poor finish on the road course at Sonoma, he sat on the pole for the race
Just as consistency leads to championships, solid performances on all types of tracks also help to win the championship.
Despite all the success Kahne has achieved in 2008, there are still some roadblocks he has to face this season. First of all, Kyle Busch has dominated this season. In order for Kahne to win the championship Kyle Busch would have to slow down his torrid pace he has set so far this season.
Kahne is also at a disadvantage because of the dodge manufacturer he drives for. The next closest driver in the points standings to drive a dodge is in 17th place (Ryan Newman) followed immediately in 18th place by Newman's Penske Racing teammate, Kurt Busch. Dodge has also only won 4 of 18 races this season (Kahne-2, Newman-1, Kurt Busch-1). Dodge also is struggling against the other manufacturers in the standings, currently in a distant 4th out of 4.
Based on the first half of the season, Kasey Kahne is clearly going to be a top contender as the season heads into the second half.
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