Kahne scores career high despite issues

FONTANA, Calif. -- He had old tires, a tight race car and a pack of five Winston Cup regulars around him, but Kasey Kahne made it stick.

Kahne finished fourth -- easily a career-high -- in Saturday's Busch Series 1-800-PIT-SHOP.COM 300.

	Kasey Kahne said he struggled with his No. 38 Ford on Saturday. Credit: Autostock

Kahne started ninth and spent 129 of the 150 laps in the top 10, more than anyone except runner-up finisher Michael Waltrip.

Kahne, a 23-year-old from Enumclaw, Wash., joined the single-car Akins Motorsports after a disappointing rookie season with Robert Yates Racing.

The change has served him well. After a lone top-10 finish in 2002 -- a 10th-place finish at that -- Kahne has already scored four in nine races in 2003.

1-800-PITSHOP.com 300  •  Results  •  Standings

"He wasn't in the best situation last year, and he's a great driver," said Matt Kenseth, who won on Saturday. "He is probably one of the most underrated guys out there. He is not with a Hendrick or a Childress, but he is with a good team."

"We have a lot better cars this year," said Kahne, who moved to eighth in the points. "I think we finished right where we should have."

VIDEO CLIPS Matt Kenseth celebrates his 13th career Busch Series win Play video Harvick, Waltrip, and Kahne review the final laps Play video

Kahne might have had a shot to catch Kenseth, but his car tightened up on older tires in the closing laps, forcing him to wheel his No. 38 Ford inches from the wall coming out of the turns.

"I couldn't run low through 1 and 2. I couldn't get it to turn any lower."

Immediately after the race, Kahne went to nearby Irwindale Speedway for the Twin Mopar 125s midget feature.

Next up for the Busch Series is the Hardee's 250 on May 2. Kahne finished 30th and 15th in the two events at RIR last year.

"We should have a good run (at RIR)," Kahne said. "We didn't test there, but we built a brand-new car, and that is what we were taking."