Kahne's long-term future with RPM hangs in limbo

TALLADEGA, Ala. -- Kasey Kahne sits a respectable 10th in the Cup Series point standings as he heads into the Aaron's 499 this Sunday at Talladega Superspeedway.

But he yearns for so much more.

Kasey Kahne

2009 Cup results

Race	Start	Finish	Rank
Daytona	15	29	29
Fontana	22	12	23
Las Vegas	7	11	13
Atlanta	13	7	9
Britsol	5	5	6
Martinsville	6	19	9
Texas	6	19	10
Phoenix	21	13	10

• Complete stats

Kahne, who turned 29 two weeks ago, longs to drive a car that competes for victories virtually every week. He doesn't believe that has been the case for him the last three years. During that span, he has driven for the same organization but it has changed names and leadership three different times -- as what first was Evernham Motorsports became Gillett Evernham Motorsports and then Richard Petty Motorsports.

"In the last couple of years, I feel like we've been good from about 12th to 15th on an average weekend," Kahne said. "And I feel like that's about where we are right now."

He freely acknowledges that RPM needs to get better overall as an organization if he is going to consider driving for them long-term. His current contract runs through 2010.

One week earlier at Phoenix, Kahne said his preference would be to stay with RPM well past next season -- but only if he sees some things change for the better first.

"I'm definitely not exploring other options," Kahne said then. "I have another year with Richard Petty Motorsports. The Gilletts [who are majority owners] have been good to me since I came here. I made a commitment to them to race through 2010, so I'll do that for sure.

"I've told them from the start that if we can get our cars to where they're right and we're competitive with the best teams out here, then I don't know why I'd ever want to move from that company. I like the people [at RPM] -- from the guys building the race cars in the shop, to the engine guys, to the guys painting the cars. I have a good relationship with everybody." (Continued)