The Next NASCAR Prodigy?

It was a Texas-size burn-out for a Texas-size win on Sunday as Kasey Kahne became the first pole-sitter to take the checkered flag at Texas Motor Speedway(TMS). It was the second win of the season for Kahne, who won earlier at the Golden Corral 500, and his third career victory.

The win moved Kahne up to third in the NASCAR Nextel Standings, only 46 points behind leader Jimmie Johnson.

In a rather boring race, Kahne was among the most dominant cars throughout the day. The race was dominated early by Greg Biffle, later by Tony Stewart (who led the most laps on the day) and finally by Kahne for the last 27 laps of the race.

Kahne was not the best on re-starts following cautions on Sunday and with 20 laps left they #9 Dodge Charger was faced with either pitting under the green flag or getting a caution and pitting under caution. Thanks to winning the pole-position in qualifying on Friday, Kahne was able to garner the best pit stall and won the race off of pit road. The final re-start was interesting because Kahne had lost ground on the earlier restarts. Not the last re-start, however. Kahne and his team decided to take out a round of wedge on their last pit stop.

Once Kahne cleared the lapped car of Robby Gordon the race was all but over.

Kahne has bounced back from a disappointing 2005 season where he finished 23 in the final points standings. The only bright spot of the year came early when Kahne won at Richmond in race 11. His rookie year included multiple close calls one of which was at TMS when Elliot Sadler edged Kahne by less than a second.

It's still preto early in the season, but I think you have to look at Kahne as a force to be reckoned with. If you look at another driver who won championships early, Jeff Gordon, and see some similarities between the two. First, there's the fact that the ladies place the 2 at the top of the "hott list." Second, and most importantly is Kahne's car owner Ray Evernham, who was Jeff Gordon's crew chief for the first 3 of his 4 championships.

Jimmie Johnson was my pre-season pick to hoist the Nextel Cup; however, I no longer think he will do it running away. I look forward to seeing Kahne, who I had finishing in the top 5 at the end of the season, proving me wrong and either over taking Johnson or seriously challenging all the way to season's final race at Homestead-Miami.



Pictures:
http://www.autoracingdaily.com/images/photos_local/lc11446453968104.jpg
http://www.firstcoastnews.com/assetpool/images/06410115216_kahne.jpg
http://www.orlandosentinel.com/media/photo/2004-05/12475726.jpg