Kasey Kahne: "This year we need to run in the top 10 every week and get in that Chase for the Nextel Cup." Credit: Autostock

Kahne faces higher expectations in new year

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. -- "Expectations" is far from a four-letter word, but many drivers curse at the thought of it.

Expectations from fans, media, sponsors and owners can weigh a driver down, making him weary or causing him to lose focus on what truly is important. The lack of expectations can have the opposite effect. A driver can go for broke, taking chances and perhaps succeeding when no one, well, expects him to do.

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Kasey Kahne thrived under the latter scenario in 2004, winning the Raybestos Rookie of the Year Award and nearly picking off several race victories. Not many expected Kahne to do much as Bill Elliott's replacement in the No. 9 Dodge, but car owner Ray Evernham proved he has an eye for talent.

Now, the expectations are a lot higher. Will Kahne win a race this year? And though he fell short of the Chase for the Nextel Cup last season, does anyone doubt Kahne will be in it this year?

Sure, the yellow rookie stripe may be gone from Kahne's rear bumper, but the weight of expectations more than makes up for it.

"Last year there were no expectations," Kahne said. "Nobody really expected us to run much better than 30th, probably, at times, so that was pretty easy to run up front because people didn't expect you to run up there.

"We had a good race team, but this year we need to run up front because there will be more expectations. Our whole team has higher expectations. Last year we wanted to finish in the top 15 and win the Raybestos Rookie of the Year Award. We were able to do that.

"This year we need to run in the top 10 every week and get in that Chase for the Nextel Cup."

How Kahne and crew chief Tommy Baldwin handle the added pressure of needing to get in the Chase will probably tell whether they do.

Inside the Numbers Thursday afternoon test speeds No. Driver MPH 1. M. Truex Jr. 188.798 2. J. Green 188.052 3. R. Wallace 187.931 4. B. Vickers 187.903 5. J. Johnson 187.805 6. J. Nemechek 187.731 7. S. Riggs 187.707 8. M. Kenseth 187.680 9. S. Wimmer 187.645 10. S. Marlin 187.641 11. B. Hamilton Jr. 187.625 12. D. Blaney 187.516 13. M. Martin 187.508 14. K. Kahne 187.461 15. J. Andretti 187.414 16. D. Cope 187.363 17. J. Burton 187.176 18. B. Elliott 186.928 19. M. Wallace 186.776 20. E. McClure 186.189 21. G. Sacks 186.050 22. B. Labonte 185.839 23. J. Sauter 185.762 24. K. Lepage 184.008 25. K. Earnhardt 182.919 26. K. Shelmerdine No speed

During testing this week, Kahne was so-so during single-car runs, turning the 18th fastest speed overall at 184.733 mph. But when cars started drafting practice Thursday, Kahne vaulted to the top of the chart.

Kahne went 188.088 during Thursday's morning session to lead the field. Thursday afternoon, he slipped to 15th at 187.461.

But Thursday's top speeds are overrated, since drafting makes it easier to run a faster speed.

Martin Truex Jr., the defending Busch Series champion who will make selected Nextel Cup starts in 2005, was fastest Thursday at 188.798 mph. Jeff Green, who was also fast in single-car runs, was second at 188.052.

Rusty Wallace was third at 187.931, with Brian Vickers fourth at 187.903 and Jimmie Johnson fifth at 187.805.

Kahne's year of experience could help overcome the added expectations, for he said he's already a "ton more comfortable" than at this point last year. Last year's Daytona 500 was Kahne's first Nextel Cup start, so he had a lot to learn in 2004.

"I feel like I know more about what I'm getting into -- the tracks, the cars, what to look forward to, what to try to watch for," Kahne said. "I feel a lot better going into this year than I did last year. Last year I pretty much jumped into it.

"I'd never been in a Nextel Cup race and jumped right into it here at Daytona. We had a pretty good season, but I feel like this year I just know a lot more about what I'm getting into and it should help each week... I definitely feel more comfortable. You learn and get better at things as you go along."

One thing Kahne has learned to deal with is race fans. Kahne was a virtual unknown at the start of his rookie season, but he's become quite a popular driver -- especially among women.

But guys recognized Kahne, too.

"There's a lot of different places you run into race fans and you wouldn't expect it," Kahne said. "Probably the most surprising is when you're in a restroom. You're going to the bathroom and a guy looks over and says, 'You're Kasey Kahne.'"

Now, all Kahne can hope is his season lives up to expectations -- and not end up in the toilet.