{"id":11589,"date":"2017-07-23T22:59:11","date_gmt":"2017-07-24T03:59:11","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/racedaysa.com\/?p=11589"},"modified":"2017-07-23T22:59:11","modified_gmt":"2017-07-24T03:59:11","slug":"kasey-kahne-ends-102-race-winless-drought-by-winning-brickyard-400","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/2017\/07\/23\/kasey-kahne-ends-102-race-winless-drought-by-winning-brickyard-400\/","title":{"rendered":"Kasey Kahne ends 102-race winless drought by winning Brickyard 400"},"content":{"rendered":"

By Reid Spencer, NASCAR Wire Service<\/em><\/p>\n

SPEEDWAY, Ind. \u2014 In semi-darkness, as the sun set behind the frontstretch grandstand at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, Kasey Kahne<\/strong> did all he could to dispel the shadow overhanging his Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series<\/a> season and his racing career.<\/p>\n

\"\"

Kasey Kahne, driver of the #5 Farmers Insurance Chevrolet, takes the checkered flag under caution to win the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Brickyard 400 at Indianapolis Motorspeedway on July 23, 2017 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Daniel Shirey\/Getty Images)<\/p><\/div>\n

With a phenomenal restart in the second overtime of Sunday\u2019s Brantley Gilbert Big Machine Brickyard 400, Kahne cleared race leader Brad Keselowski through the first two corners and crossed the overtime line on the backstretch before NASCAR called the record 14th caution of the race.<\/p>\n

That ended the event with Kahne in the lead, and when he took the checkered flag under yellow a lap and a half later, the driver of the No. 5 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet had his first victory since an eleventh-hour win at Atlanta in August of 2014 that propelled him into NASCAR\u2019s postseason.<\/p>\n

Kahne was breathless with exhaustion in Victory Lane, the result of withering heat inside the cars in a prolonged race that featured three red flags, one for rain and lightning and two for incidents. But the implications of the triumph weren\u2019t lost on him.<\/p>\n

\"\"

Kasey Kahne, driver of the #5 Farmers Insurance Chevrolet, celebrates in Victory Lane after winning the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Brickyard 400 at Indianapolis Motorspeedway on July 23, 2017 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Matt Sullivan\/Getty Images)<\/p><\/div>\n

\u201cThe career is big, for sure\u2014but the win and the history here,\u201d Kahne said. \u201cTo win at this track is unreal. We used to always be really close. We lost to Jeff (Gordon) and we lost to Tony (Stewart); just some fast cars back then.<\/p>\n

\u201cToday, strategy got us here. This Farmers Insurance Chevrolet was great once I got out front. I just had to get there. I\u2019m exhausted. But, an unbelievable win. The team just kept working. We had great pit stops.\u201d<\/p>\n

The pit stop that mattered most occurred on Lap 150, when Kahne came to pit road moments before a vicious wreck on the frontstretch eliminated the cars of Clint Bowyer, Kurt Busch and Erik Jones, all of whom had been running in or near the top 10 throughout the afternoon.<\/p>\n

\"\"

Kasey Kahne, driver of the #5 Farmers Insurance Chevrolet, celebrates winning the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Brickyard 400 at Indianapolis Motorspeedway on July 23, 2017 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Sean Gardner\/Getty Images)<\/p><\/div>\n

Kahne had fresh rubber and stayed on the track when the cars ahead of him came to pit road for tires on Lap 151. Suddenly at the front of the field, Kahne battled Keselowski on three successive restarts before the decisive second overtime.<\/p>\n

Kahne status in the No. 5 car has been grist for the rumor mill this season. Asked Sunday morning about plans for the ride next year, team owner Rick Hendrick would say only \u201cThat\u2019s another day,\u201d during a press conference heralding Alex Bowman as the successor to Dale Earnhardt Jr. in the No. 88 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet.<\/p>\n

Asked post-race what the victory does for Kahne\u2019s future, Hendrick replied, \u201cIt puts him in the (playoff).\u201d<\/p>\n

\"\"

Kasey Kahne, driver of the #5 Farmers Insurance Chevrolet, kisses the yard of bricks with his crew after winning the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Brickyard 400 at Indianapolis Motorspeedway on July 23, 2017 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Brian Lawdermilk\/Getty Images)<\/p><\/div>\n

But the uncertainty that surrounds Kahne\u2019s status in the No. 5 did nothing to diminish his accomplishment at the vaunted Brickyard.<\/p>\n

Keselowski had taken the lead during the first overtime restart, but a huge wreck on the frontstretch\u2014triggered when Trevor Bayne turned sideways after a push from Michael McDowell as the cars approached the start\/finish line\u2014aborted the attempt.<\/p>\n

For the second overtime, Keselowski chose the outside lane, leaving Kahne on the bottom in a racing groove covered with Speedy Dry fluid absorption material. But Kahne pulled off a magnificent restart and powered into Turn 1 at full steam.<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, the one before just didn\u2019t work,\u201d said Kahne, who picked the outside lane and lost the lead on the short-lived restart for the first overtime. \u201cEverything went wrong. On the final one, everything went right. And once I got to Turn 1, I had good power and was able to clear him off (Turn) 1. I\u2019m exhausted. And, it\u2019s pretty crazy.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"\"

Kasey Kahne, driver of the #5 Farmers Insurance Chevrolet, affixes the winner\u0092s decal to his car in Victory Lane after winning the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Brickyard 400 at Indianapolis Motorspeedway on July 23, 2017 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Matt Sullivan\/Getty Images)<\/p><\/div>\n

Keselowski, who was trying to give team owner Roger Penske a first Brickyard 400 victory, gave credit where credit was due.<\/p>\n

\u201cKasey did a heck of a job today and drove a hell of a race,\u201d Keselowski said. \u201cI\u2019m happy for him. I thought we were in the right spot. You had seen the same thing all day when you\u2019d get somebody on the outside, and in the corner you got real loose.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe drove in there and it just stuck. I don\u2019t know. I may have had the wrong lane there or made the wrong call. I\u2019m not sure. The car was on edge and then some.\u201d<\/p>\n

By the time Kahne took the checkered flag, the two fastest cars in the race had long since been eliminated\u2014in the same wreck. Polesitter Kyle Busch, who led a race-high 87 laps, was racing side-by-side with Martin Truex Jr. after a restart on Lap 111 when Truex\u2019s No. 78 Furniture Row Racing Toyota got loose underneath Busch\u2019s No. 18 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota, causing a collision that crippled both cars.<\/p>\n

\"\"

Kyle Busch, driver of the #18 Skittles Toyota, and Kevin Harvick, driver of the #4 Jimmy John’s Ford, lead the field during pace laps prior to the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Brickyard 400 at Indianapolis Motorspeedway on July 23, 2017 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Matt Sullivan\/Getty Images)<\/p><\/div>\n

Ultimately, it was Kahne who seized the opportunity their exit presented.<\/p>\n

Notes: The victory was the first for Kahne\u2019s crew chief, Keith Rodden\u2026 Kahne visited the infield care center for treatment after Victory Lane ceremonies in which Kahne looked drained. \u2026 Jimmie Johnson, with his eye on a record-tying fifth Brickyard victory, spun in Turn 3 while battling Kahne and Keselowski for the lead on Lap 159, causing the caution that set up the overtimes that eventually took the race seven laps past its scheduled distance.<\/p>\n

 <\/h3>\n

Media Center Interviews:<\/h3>\n

Kasey Kahne – <\/p>\nhttp:\/\/racedaysa.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/07\/IMS_MENCS_Kahne_072317.mp3<\/a><\/audio>\n

Winning crew chief Keith Rodden and car owner Rick Hendrick<\/p>\nhttp:\/\/racedaysa.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/07\/IMS_MENCS_Rodden_Hendrick_072317.mp3<\/a><\/audio>\n

Second place finisher Brad Keselowski and third place finisher Ryan Newman<\/p>\nhttp:\/\/racedaysa.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/07\/IMS_MENCS_Keselowski_Newman_072317.mp3<\/a><\/audio>\n

Steve O’Donnell (NASCAR Executive Vice President and Chief Racing Development Officer)<\/p>\n

\nhttp:\/\/racedaysa.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/07\/IMS_MENCS_ODonnell_072317.mp3<\/a><\/audio>\n

Jeff Gordan – Honorary pace car driver<\/p>\nhttp:\/\/racedaysa.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/07\/IMS_MENCS_Gordon_072317.mp3<\/a><\/audio>\n

Brantley Gilbert <\/p>\nhttp:\/\/racedaysa.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/07\/IMS_MENCS_Gilbert_072317.mp3<\/a><\/audio>\n

 <\/p>\n<\/div>\n

Race Results<\/strong><\/p>\n

Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Race \u2013 Brantley Gilbert Big Machine Brickyard 400<\/strong><\/p>\n

Indianapolis Motor Speedway<\/strong><\/p>\n

Speedway, Indiana<\/strong><\/p>\n

Sunday, July 23, 2017<\/strong><\/p>\n

    \n
  1. (19) Kasey Kahne, Chevrolet, 167.<\/li>\n
  2. (11) Brad Keselowski, Ford, 167.<\/li>\n
  3. (8) Ryan Newman, Chevrolet, 167.<\/li>\n
  4. (7) Joey Logano, Ford, 167.<\/li>\n
  5. (14) Matt Kenseth, Toyota, 167.<\/li>\n
  6. (2) Kevin Harvick, Ford, 167.<\/li>\n
  7. (15) Daniel Suarez #, Toyota, 167.<\/li>\n
  8. (27) Matt DiBenedetto, Ford, 167.<\/li>\n
  9. (26) Chris Buescher, Chevrolet, 167.<\/li>\n
  10. (39) AJ Allmendinger, Chevrolet, 167.<\/li>\n
  11. (23) Danica Patrick, Ford, 167.<\/li>\n
  12. (34) Cole Whitt, Chevrolet, 167.<\/li>\n
  13. (29) Aric Almirola, Ford, 167.<\/li>\n
  14. (37) * Timmy Hill(i), Chevrolet, 167.<\/li>\n
  15. (3) Jamie McMurray, Chevrolet, 167.<\/li>\n
  16. (17) Paul Menard, Chevrolet, 167.<\/li>\n
  17. (5) Denny Hamlin, Toyota, 166.<\/li>\n
  18. (24) Michael McDowell, Chevrolet, 166.<\/li>\n
  19. (28) Ty Dillon #, Chevrolet, 165.<\/li>\n
  20. (22) Trevor Bayne, Ford, Accident, 162.<\/li>\n
  21. (20) Austin Dillon, Chevrolet, Accident, 162.<\/li>\n
  22. (31) Landon Cassill, Ford, Parked, 162.<\/li>\n
  23. (10) Ryan Blaney, Ford, Accident, 162.<\/li>\n
  24. (35) * Gray Gaulding #, Chevrolet, Accident, 162.<\/li>\n
  25. (38) Joey Gase(i), Chevrolet, Accident, 162.<\/li>\n
  26. (36) Jeffrey Earnhardt, Chevrolet, 162.<\/li>\n
  27. (4) Jimmie Johnson, Chevrolet, Accident, 158.<\/li>\n
  28. (25) Kyle Larson, Chevrolet, Accident, 154.<\/li>\n
  29. (12) Kurt Busch, Ford, Accident, 149.<\/li>\n
  30. (18) Clint Bowyer, Ford, Accident, 148.<\/li>\n
  31. (9) Erik Jones #, Toyota, Accident, 148.<\/li>\n
  32. (40) * BJ McLeod(i), Chevrolet, 135.<\/li>\n
  33. (6) Martin Truex Jr., Toyota, Accident, 110.<\/li>\n
  34. (1) Kyle Busch, Toyota, Accident, 110.<\/li>\n
  35. (21) Ricky Stenhouse Jr., Ford, Accident, 106.<\/li>\n
  36. (13) Dale Earnhardt Jr., Chevrolet, Accident, 76.<\/li>\n
  37. (33) * JJ Yeley(i), Chevrolet, Accident, 70.<\/li>\n
  38. (30) David Ragan, Ford, Accident, 56.<\/li>\n
  39. (16) Chase Elliott, Chevrolet, Engine, 43.<\/li>\n
  40. (32) Corey LaJoie #, Toyota, Accident, 9.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    Average Speed of Race Winner:  114.384 mph.<\/p>\n

    Time of Race:  03 Hrs, 39 Mins, 00 Secs. Margin of Victory:  Caution.<\/p>\n

    Caution Flags:  14 for 55 laps.<\/p>\n

    Lead Changes:  10 among 7 drivers.<\/p>\n

    Lap Leaders:   Kyle Busch 1-71; E. Jones # 72-80; R. Blaney 81-86; Kyle Busch 87-102; M. Truex Jr. 103-110; M. Kenseth 111-131; E. Jones # 132; B. Keselowski 133-151; K. Kahne 152-161; B. Keselowski 162-165; K. Kahne 166-167.<\/p>\n

    Leaders Summary (Driver, Times Lead, Laps Led):  Kyle Busch 2 times for 87 laps; B. Keselowski 2 times for 23 laps; M. Kenseth 1 time for 21 laps; K. Kahne 2 times for 12 laps; E. Jones # 2 times for 10 laps; M. Truex Jr. 1 time for 8 laps; R. Blaney 1 time for 6 laps.<\/p>\n

    Stage #1 Top Ten: 18,78,21,4,22,20,1,42,48,88<\/p>\n

    Stage #2 Top Ten: 18,78,21,77,4,20,22,11,2,1<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

    By Reid Spencer, NASCAR Wire Service SPEEDWAY, Ind. \u2014 In semi-darkness, as the sun set behind the frontstretch grandstand at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, Kasey Kahne did all he could to dispel the shadow overhanging his Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series season and his racing career. With a phenomenal restart in the second overtime of Sunday\u2019s Brantley […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":11582,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"ngg_post_thumbnail":0,"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[11],"tags":[303,421,471,16],"class_list":["post-11589","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-nascar","tag-brickyard-400","tag-indianapolis-motor-speedway","tag-kasey-kahne","tag-nascar"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/racedaysa.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/07\/IMS_MENCS_Kahne_VL_072317.jpg?fit=4159%2C2828","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p7hzTZ-30V","jetpack-related-posts":[],"jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/11589","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=11589"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"http:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/11589\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":11593,"href":"http:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/11589\/revisions\/11593"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/11582"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=11589"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=11589"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=11589"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}