Kasey Kahne 2014 Fantasy NASCAR Preview

2013 Stats: Points Finish 12th, 0 Poles, 2 Wins, 11 Top Fives, 14 Top Tens, Average Running Position 14.0, Average Finish 16.2, Laps Led 667, Driver Rating 96.5

Strengths- Kasey Kahne is at his best on intermediate tracks. He’s also strong on flat tracks and short tracks.

Weaknesses- Being consistent has been a career problem for Kasey Kahne. Considering it’s been an issue for the last decade I don’t see it going away in 2014.

NASCAR 2014 Printable Schedule

Intermediate Track Grade- A, When Kasey Kahne’s car is setup to his liking on these venues and everything is going right for him he’s capable of dominating races on this track type. In 2013 on intermediate tracks he scored the 7th most points and had four runner-up finishes. Last season he also had a 11.9 average running position and a 12.8 average finish. His best intermediate track is Charlotte. He’s won there four times, has finished in the top five 45% percent of the time and last season he finished runner-up twice.

Flat Track Grade- A, Kasey Kahne is a strong flat track driver. He’s capable of performing well at both the big flats and the small flats. Last season on the big flat tracks he was impressive. In the two races he didn’t have problems he had results of 1st (Pocono #2) and 3rd (Indy). In the June Pocono race he had problems as soon as the green flag waved. In 2014 put Kasey Kahne on your short list of contenders at both of those tracks.

On the small flats tracks Kahne performs well. He had some problems on these tracks in 2013 but as long as he doesn’t have issues he’s a near lock for a good finish. In the first race at Phoenix last season the 5 car missed the setup and he finished 19th. In the fall he finished 2nd to Kevin Harvick. In four out of the last six Phoenix races he had a result in the top 6. Kahne is also a strong performer at New Hampshire. Last fall he had a top 7 run going but he was involved in an accident. In the five prior New Hampshire races he had 1 win, the 2nd best driver rating, a 6.4 average running position (best in series) and a 7.6 average finish (2nd best).

Short Track Grade- A-, Kasey Kahne is a skillful short track driver. At Bristol in 2013 he won in the spring and finished 2nd in August. If he would’ve gotten aggressive on Kenseth at the end of the August race he would’ve had a Bristol sweep. Since August 2010 Kasey Kahne has been very strong at Bristol. Over the last seven races he’s only finished worse than 11th once.

Since being a member at Hendrick Motorsports Kasey Kahne’s fantasy value at Martinsville has sky rocketed. Prior to joining the team it was non existent. In the two races that he hasn’t had any problems in the 5 car he’s had top fives. In the two races he had problems he was competitive. This fall he had a top ten run going but was involved in the “Big One”. In his first race with the organization he won the pole, had a top five run going but had engine problems.

At Richmond Kasey Kahne got his first career win in 2005. In the last four RIR races he shown some moderate fantasy potential. I would look for him to likely have a result in the low double digits. He’s been very good at Phoenix recently so I think he has solid dark horse sleeper potential. He could potentially sneak into another win.

Restrictor Plate Track Grade- B, Kasey Kahne had a rough season on restrictor plate tracks last year. His best finish on these venues was 32nd. In the first two races on this track type in 2013 he was a victim of Kyle Busch’s bump drafting. In the summer Daytona race he was running near the front late but crashed. In the fall Talladega race he lost the draft early in the event and never recovered.

In 2012 on restrictor plate tracks he scored the 7th most points and had a 13.0 average finish.

Road Course Track Grade- B, Watkins Glen is arguably Kasey Kahne’s worst track. He’s never finished in the top ten and has a 20.0 average finish. Last season at the Glen he was involved in an accident and finished 34th. In his nine prior races at Watkins Glen he completed every lap run and finished in the teens 66% percent of the time.

At Infineon Kasey Kahne has had recent success. Over the last five races he has 9.0 average finish, 10.2 average running position and the 4th best driver rating. Last season at Infineon he finished 6th. In 2009 he went to victory lane.

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