Kasey Kahne proved his resolve at Phoenix International Raceway in November.
Kahne conquered the reconfigured one-mile track while driving for the now-defunct Red Bull Racing — with his fourth different team owner in as many years.
Certainly, knowing that a seat awaited him at Hendrick Motorsports in 2012, there was incentive to persevere. But no one expected Kahne to win a Sprint Cup race at Phoenix given the obstacles of a lame-duck organization and the strength of the competition.
While the challenge seemed insurmountable, Kahne had the support of his core team led by veteran crew chief Kenny Francis, who had led the driver since the 2005 season finale and throughout all the turmoil in the interim.
Kahne and his crew never stopped believing — and never lost their desire to win. Not surprisingly, Kahne collected his 12th career win here last fall. And then Kahne and Francis completed the move to HMS. It was an addition that thrilled Rick Hendrick and their fellow teammates.
“I’m so excited about Kasey,” Hendrick said. “I had to wait a year, you know? I thought when we got here, you’d really get to see his talent. He and Kenny Francis have fit in so well. It’s so funny, because you have to ask him a question to get him to talk, but it’s like he and the guys have been together forever.
"You always want some new ideas and new ways of looking at things, and all our guys are really excited about Kasey. It’s just an unbelievable fit. He’s quick here and I’m looking for an unbelievable year from him.”
The team’s obstacles continued at the start of the season. Kahne underwent additional knee surgery before Daytona to repair a torn meniscus. Then during Speedweeks, Kahne was caught up in a practice wreck with Juan Pablo Montoya, and the team was forced to pull out the backup car Wednesday prior to the Gatorade Duels. While Kahne finished 10th in his Duel, misfortune found him again in the Daytona 500 on lap 189 and ended his evening 29th.
But Kahne has accepted a mulligan from Daytona and is ready to move on to the desert where the real racing begins.
“I always like going to Daytona, but there are so many situations that are thrown at you, I’m more comfortable being able to control my destiny a little more,” Kahne said. “A new track takes time, but this Phoenix has opened up real quick. The first time we came here to test, it was really slippery, but it got better. Then we came here to race and it was really slippery, but it got better faster.
“There’s a lot of grip, it’s a faster place than it used to be. You can get loose and once it goes it’s hard to save, but the track is in good shape. The tire combination is real good. There’s a lot of rubber on the track this time. I think some of it is from us in November and also what Phoenix has done here. It will only get better throughout the race.
“I think we’re going to be really good here and at the upcoming tracks.”
It’s clear that Kahne is enjoying his new experience with Hendrick Motorsports as the driver of the No. 5 Farmers Insurance Chevrolet. With the resources that HMS brings and the warmth of the people, his comfort level is solid for a change.
“It’s going great so far,” Kahne said. “Our cars are really good and the preparation is there. To me, one of the biggest things and best feelings about it is from Jeff Gordon to Chad Knaus to Rick Hendrick and all the employees, is how they’ve embraced us. There’s been no push back. They want us — from me, Kenny, Keith (Rodden, lead engineer) — to be there. To me, that’s been one of the best parts of it. They’ve made it easy.”
