Time for Kahne to Rally

By Steve Waid-SceneDaily

I’ll bet Kasey Kahne is looking at this weekend’s Nextel Cup race at Atlanta the way a starving man with credit for a free meal looks at a menu.
Atlanta should provide a golden opportunity for the Evernham Motorsports driver to regain his footing.
Kahne came into the 2007 season as a driver considered almost a sure bet to make the Chase, and who knows? He might even contend for the championship.
After all, he made the Chase last year, wound up eighth in the final point standing and won six races, more than any other driver.
But to date, Kahne has had an unexpected, difficult season. First, he lost 50 points before he ever hit the track in competition. NASCAR took them away for a rules infraction in Daytona 500 qualifying.
Kahne ran well at Daytona, finishing eighth in the 500. But with the loss of 50 points, he fell to 22nd in points.
At California, he started on the front row, but lasted only 129 laps before engine failure did him in. He finished 38th and fell to 32nd in points.
At Las Vegas, he won the pole – a pretty good indication his Dodge didn’t lack for speed. He ran among the top 10 most of the day until he crashed on lap 251. He was a victim of some treacherous racing conditions created by the reconfigured Vegas track and a harder compound tire.
He finished 35th and is now 36th in points.
Kahne hasn’t been the cause of any of his problems. The way he feels, without misfortune, he could have three top-10 finishes now.
Six wins last year doesn’t mean anything to him at this point. What matters is to win this season.
Atlanta would appear to be a darn good place to start. Kahne won the pole for last year’s March event and followed that up with a victory. He’s considered one of the top dogs at the fast, 1.54-mile track.
Indeed, it appears that, for Kahne, Atlanta may be a prime opportunity for redemption.
Kasey, the table is set and dinner is served. Time to dig in.
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