Kasey Kahne has proven he is one of NASCAR's promising young drivers after qualifying for the Chase in 2006, just his third year in the Cup series.
Kahne slumped in his second year despite picking up his first career Cup victory, falling from 13th in the final points in '04 to 23rd in 2005.
Kahne excelled in 2004 in all three of NASCAR's top series: He had 13 top-fives and 14 top-10s in his first full season racing Cup; had nine top-fives and 14 top-10s in 30 Busch races; and won both Craftsman Truck races he started.
The driver who replaced "Awesome Bill from Dawsonville" Elliott in Ray Evernham's No. 9 Dodge recorded five second-place finishes and the rookie of the year award in 2004. He was named one of "America's Top 50 Bachelors" that year by People magazine.
The frenzy surrounding Kahne began early in the Washington state native's life. In 1994 he won four Micro-Midget events racing a car prepared by his father. In '96 he won 11 of 14 Mini-Sprint events to win both the Hannigan (Wash.) Speedway and Northwest Mini-Sprints championships.
Steve Lewis, former employer of Jeff Gordon and Tony Stewart, offered Kahne an opportunity to race Sprint, Midget and Silver Crown series in 2000. That year Kahne won the USAC Midget championship and was named that series' national driver of the year, and was rookie of the year in the USAC Silver Crown Series.
From 1998-2000, Kahne competed in the World of Outlaws, Gumont Racing Series, All-Star Circuit of Champions and Northern Sprint Tour racing circles, and in 2001 raced in the Atlantic Series and Formula Ford 2000 Series. He won the "Night before the 500" Classic at Indianapolis Raceway Park in 2000 and in '01, became the first driver to post back-to-back victories in the annual event since Jeff Gordon in 1989 and '90.
Kahne began his NASCAR career in 2002 running 20 Busch races with one top-10. In '03 he recorded his first victory, in the series finale at Homestead, and finished the year with four top-fives and 14 top-10s and a seventh-place ranking in the final point standings.
Also in 2003 Kahne became the first Washington native to win back-to-back titles in the Jim Raper Dirt Cup at Skagit Speedway in Alger, Wash.
In May 2005 Kahne started from the pole and won at Richmond for his first Cup victory. He had five top-fives and eight top-10s. He also posted two Busch wins that season.
Kasey Kahne Awards and recognition:
2006
Had a series-high six NASCAR NEXTEL Cup series wins and started from the Bud Pole six times during the season. He had 12 top-five and 19 top-10 finishes. Kahne made NASCAR's Chase for the Championship for the first time in his career and for the third year in a row for Evernham Motorsports. Kahne finished eighth in the final season standings.
2005
Claimed first NASCAR NEXTEL Cup victory at Richmond, winning from the pole. Finished second at the Brickyard 400. Won back-to-back poles at Darlington and Richmond.
2004
Claimed the 2004 Raybestos Rookie-of-the-Year title; missed making it into the Chase field by just 28 points; scored 13 top-five finishes including five runner-up finishes. Won back-to-back races at Darlington and Miami in the NASCAR Truck Series in his only two starts.
2003
In 34 races, scored four top-five and 14 top-10 finishes in the Busch Series. Won his first Busch Series race in the season finale at Homestead-Miami Speedway in November. Earned first Busch Series pole position at Michigan International Speedway in August. Finished seventh in the final Busch Series point standings. Won the 2003 Jim Raper Dirt Cup at Skagit Speedway for the second consecutive year. He became the first Washington native to win back-to-back titles at the Dirt Cup, which is held in Alger, Washington.
2002
In 20 NASCAR Busch Series races, scored one top-10 finish at Michigan International Speedway in August.
Kasey Kahne Other ccomplishments:
• Raced limited schedules with the Atlantic Series and the Formula Ford 2000 Series in 2001
• Competed in the World of Outlaws, All-Star Circuit of Champions, Gumout Racing Series and Northern Sprint Tour winged sprint car series from 1998-2002
• Scored 10 top-five finishes including four wins and a second-consecutive Belleville Midget Nationals victory in 11 USAC Midget Series starts during the 2001 season
• Won the "Night before the 500" Classic at Indianapolis Raceway Park in 2000 and 2001, becoming the first driver to post back-to-back victories in the annual event since Jeff Gordon did so in 1989-90
• Earned two wins in one night at the USAC Midget Series/Sprint Car Series doubleheader at Irwindale (Calif.) Speedway in October 2001
• Hired by long-time motorsports car owner Steve Lewis, who has fielded cars for Jeff Gordon and Tony Stewart, to compete in the USAC Sprint, Midget and Silver Crown Series during the 2000 season
• Won the 2000 USAC Midget Series championship and was named the National Midget Driver of the Year.
• Finished 10th in the 2000 USAC Silver Crown Series point standings, earning Rookie-of-the-Year honors
• Won the 2000 USAC Midget Series championship and was named the Arizona Sport Shirts National Midget Driver-of-the-Year after picking up nine victories, including the Belleville Midget Nationals and the midget division of the 4-Crown Nationals.
• Won 11 of 14 Mini-Sprint events to earn the Hannigan (WA) Speedway championship as well as the Northwest Mini Sprints championship in 1996
• Began racing career in 1994, winning four micro-midget events in home state of Washington in car prepared by his father, Kelly.
Kasey Kenneth Kahne was born on April 10, 1980 in Enumclaw, Washington. Kasey Kahne is a driver in NASCAR's NEXTEL Cup series. Kasey Kahne currently drives the #9 Dodge Dealers / UAW Dodge Charger for Evernham Motorsports with teammates Scott Riggs and Elliott Sadler. Off the track, Kasey Kahne is active in charitable work and is a member of the President's Council on Service and Civic Participation. Kasey Kahne resides in Mooresville, North Carolina with his younger brother Kale Kahne. Kasey Kahne also has an older sister, Shanon Adams. Kasey Kahne is also an owner in the World of Outlaws series, fielding a car for Joey Saldana.