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Kahne had a very Kahne-like 2014 season. Not great , but just enough to stay relevant. Kahne will be far from consistent and that a given. His best days will be on Intermediate tracks and flats. Those are the places to use him. I feel like this is a make or break type year. Even with a contract deal in-place , I feel like HMS gave him a deal to avoid silly season drama.
Intermediate tracks will be Kahne strongest area. In his career , 10 victories have came on this type track. Last season his lone win came at Atlanta. Charlotte is his best track and it isn't very debate. Since his debut he have an 11.3 average finish and 4 wins. Since joining HMS in 2012 (6 races) , Kahne have 6.1 average finish and 5 Top 10s. From 2006 to 2009 (8 races) , he had 5.7 average finish and 6 finishes of 3rd or better. Including 3 wins.
Las Vegas another good track for Kahne. Past two seasons , he have an 5.0 average finish and 115.1 driver rating. In 2013 , he was dominated. Led 114 laps and 138.1 driver rating. He posted three straight races of 91.0 or better driver ratings. Had 13.5 average finish in 11 career races.
Since joining HMS , Kansas been a strong spot for Kahne. Much stronger in the spring then fall. In the spring , he have 4.3 average finish and 2 Top 5s. All three races with finishes of 8th or better. In the fall , he been decent. In three races he have 13.6 average finish with finishes of 15 and 22 past 2 seasons.
At larger tracks , he been solid at his best. Michigan he been excellent since joining HMS. Excluding his two bad finish in 2013 & 2012 (June races). Kahne have 4 finishes of 16th or better. 3 Of those were in the top 10 in 6 starts. Over past 2 seasons at California , he posted 25.0 average finish. He much better then that though. Last season he was victim of the tire failures and finished 41th. From 2010 - 2013 (4 races) , Kasey had 4 finishes in the top 15. 3 Of them were either 9th or 3rd. Had a 9.0 average finish in that span as well.
At flats Kahne seems to excelled on the larger tracks. Pocono is a strange track for Kahne. Since joining HMS in June race he have 3 finishes of 36,41 and 29. For average finish of 35.6. In the August race , he have finish of 10,1, and 2. For average finish of 4.3. Not a gambler , but I would put money on the August race over June.
Indianapolis been a great track for Kasey lately. Especially past few seasons. Since 2012 , Kahne have 7.0 average finish and all three races had 91.0 driver rating or better. Past two seasons , he been stellar. 4.5 Average finish and driver rating above 110.0 in both races. In 2014 , Kahne finish 6th. But he was much better. Led 70 laps and posted 132.7 driver rating. In 2013 finished 3rd and had 116.4 driver rating.
At New Hampshire , Kahne been pretty darn good performance wise. Since he clipped the top 5 in both during 2012 season (1st , 5th). In past 4 races , he been better in the June race. Past 2 seasons , Kahne have pair of 11th place finishes. In September? 23rd and 37th finishes. From July 2011 to July 2014 (8 races) , Kahne posted driver rating between 95.1 and 131.5. 7 Of those races resulted in 15th or better. In 2013 he finished 37th. But led 31 laps after starting 2nd.
Kahne have new Phoenix figured out. Least in the fall. Since winning in November of 2011 , Kahne have average finish of 7.0 including 3 finishes of 7th or better. In spring he been trending in the right direction. In 2012 finished 34th. 2013 It was 19th and 2014 it improved to 11th. Not too bad at all.
Road courses will be tricky. Kahne much better at Sonoma then Watkins Glenn. But Kahne rarely get any credit for being a much improved road course racer. In his past 6 races at Sonoma , Kahne have 8.5 average finish. 5 of those 6 races , Kahne posted a driver rating above 90.0. He finished 20th in other race. 3 Of those 5 races , he posted driver ratings above 100.0. At Watkins he yet to score a top 10. But since 2008 (7 races) , he have 5 finishes from 12th - 17th. Including two of the past 3 seasons.
At short tracks Kahne been decent. His best track is Bristol and it isn't close. Minus last season August race , Kahne have an 5.0 average finish and 4 finishes of 9th or better since 2012. At Martinsville , Kahne have 2 Top 5s since joining HMS. Unfortunately past 3 races have resulted in 27,22 and 40. Not exactly stellar stats. At Richmond since September 2012 Kahne actually been predictable. 4 of those 5 races have resulted in finish from 12th to 17th. The other finish was 21th.
At plate tracks , Kahne been inconsistent to say the least. Daytona been a train wreck. Since joining HMS , only 1 Top 10. His next best finish is 27th. That's just terrible. At Talladega however , lady luck been on his side. Over past 6 races , Kahne have 4 finishes of 12th or better. From a career standpoint , both venues been terrible for Kahne.
I believe Kahne will be inconsistent and will likely disappoint more then a few times. But that doesn't mean he cannot have a productive year. Use him at the Intermediate venues. Especially Charlotte and Michigan. Larger flats and Sonoma will also be nice places to unload Kahne. At end of the day , Kahne needs to prove everyone wrong that he's just a pretty boy. Good looks don't win races. Good drivers do.
Twitter - @JeffNathans