Chase format buries Kahne's great run

dpkimmel2001

dpkimmel2001

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Everyone's favorite whipping boy. Interesting look at his numbers as of late. I know I didn't realize he was doing that well.

From here.

Anybody heard from Kasey Kahne the last several weeks?

His competitors sure have.

Kahne finished third Sunday at Texas Motor Speedway, his fifth finish of sixth or better in the last six races.

In fact, of all drivers, Kahne ranks third in points earned since the Chase for the Sprint Cup began eight races ago at Chicagoland Speedway. Series points leader Carl Edwards and second-place Tony Stewart have each earned 313 points since the Chase started. Kahne has 284.

Kahne's stout but largely unnoticed season-ending run highlights one of the biggest drawbacks of the Chase format. While NASCAR's version of the playoffs are going on and a championship is being decided, the rest of the season's participants are still running and trying to win races.

Mostly in obscurity.

Surely, if Kahne had broken into the win column, he would have received some additional press. But let's face it, even if Kahne had won Sunday at Texas, the biggest story coming out of Fort Worth would still have been Stewart's continued charge to the top of the standings.

And if Stewart had actually taken the points lead from Edwards, Kahne would have been relegated to the “others receiving votes” category for big stories of the weekend, especially considering the drama surrounding Kyle Busch.

There's no question if Kahne was involved in a similar performance run before the Chase, it would attract much more attention. Of course, then that performance would be part of a collection of work earning him a chance to run for the title.

It's easy to say those in the playoffs or running for the championship deserve the spotlight. In almost every other professional sport, that is absolutely true.

However, it is also true that in virtually every other professional sport, those who don't qualify for the playoffs aren't asked to continue to go out and compete each week.

If they are, then they should be able to capitalize on all the same benefits. Otherwise, what's the point of competing?
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It seems like over the years when a driver or team becomes a lame duck ( driver not returning, team not returning, sponsor leaving etc ) they suddenly seem to start running better, Why is that?
I'm glad Kasey is going to a decent established well backed team next year, I hope he keeps trying as hard when he gets there.
 
I have noticed! As has Rick Hendrick, I am sure.

Kasey has always had the potential but has never had the right combination of equipment, crew and opportunity to seal the deal. However, I don't think that the Chase has much to do with the lack of attention he has received. Even if NASCAR was running these races in pre-chase fashion, all of the attention would have been paid to the Championship Contenders - and Pee Wee, of course!
 
robbybee said:
I have noticed! As has Rick Hendrick, I am sure.

Kasey has always had the potential but has never had the right combination of equipment, crew and opportunity to seal the deal. However, I don't think that the Chase has much to do with the lack of attention he has received. Even if NASCAR was running these races in pre-chase fashion, all of the attention would have been paid to the Championship Contenders - and Pee Wee, of course!
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Yeah, Kasey should wreck Edwards to get some attention. ;)
 
The last few races the TV commentators have mentioned several times how well he is doing during the race coverage.

As far as the Chase goes, he's not in it because he wasn't doing this well earlier in the year. As for why continue to race, well... they still get paid for racing.

I have nothing against KK and hope he does well at Hendrick.

But I don't know if I'll ever change my mind that he sure is goofy looking. :D
 
I fail to see in this article where or how it would be any different in the old points system. I guess he said it himself he had wins then people would notice him more. I feel it would be no different in the old system. Just another chase bashing article with no real facts to back it up.
 
Correct me if I am wrong but Kasey Kahne will be the first driver to drive for all 4 NASCAR manufacturers.

Dodge-Evernham
Ford-Petty
Toyota-Red Bull
Chevy-Hendrick
 
I do believe that you are correct, Spike!

We need to figure a way to get Mark Martin into a Dodge...
 
Spike said:
Correct me if I am wrong but Kasey Kahne will be the first driver to drive for all 4 NASCAR manufacturers.

Dodge-Evernham
Ford-Petty
Toyota-Red Bull
Chevy-Hendrick
Click to expand...

Robby Gordon has driven for all four manufacturers. But, he doesn't count. :lol2:
 
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