Budweiser Racing Team Notes of Interest
Kasey Kahne and the No. 9 Budweiser Ford team will make their seventh start at Watkins Glen International in Sunday’s Heluva Good! Sour Cream Dips at The Glen.
In Kahne’s previous six starts, his best finish is 14th, a result the driver has earned twice (most recently Aug. 10, 2008). Kahne’s average start at the 2.45-mile road course is 13.5 and his average finish is 18.3. He has also completed 100 percent of the laps run in all six races he’s competed in at Watkins Glen.
Kahne gained one position in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series point standings after last weekend’s race at Pocono Raceway. The driver of the No. 9 Budweiser Ford is now ranked 16th and sits 168 points outside of the 12th-place cut-off point for the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup with five races remaining in the Race to the Chase.
With 21 races completed in the 2010 season, Kahne has collected one pole award, five top fives and seven top-10 finishes. His average start is 12 and his average finish is 17.9.
Kasey Kahne discusses racing at Watkins Glen International:
How has the road racing learning curve been for you?
“Winning Sonoma last year was a huge confidence booster for me and the No. 9 team. I think that the track time and experience has helped a bunch. I’m a really smooth driver with my feet, my hands, and in road racing you throw the car around so much more that it’s important to be smooth inside the car. You have to learn how to throw the car around without losing too much time. (Road course racing) goes against everything that I’ve ever done inside the car. It’s hard to get myself to go against the grain and drive the car like you have to.”
Is qualifying up front especially critical at road courses?
“It’s important, but not critical. So many things can go on in these (road course) races…being on the right strategy, getting good fuel mileage and just having things go your way is a big part of winning (at Watkins Glen) on Sunday. Starting up front can never hurt – it’s better than starting in the back.”
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