Kasey Kahne: Why He Will Never Return To NASCAR Superstardom
NASCAR driver Kasey Kahne was released by Richard Petty Motorsports Wednesday, after Kahne had expressed displeasure at the equipment he'd been given.
The 30-year-old veteran was planning to head to Hendrick Motorsports in 2012, after a stint with Red Bull Racing next season. But now, Kahne's tenure with Red Bull will begin early.
The six-year veteran's struggles have been well documented this season, and with a small operation like Red Bull, it's almost assured he'll struggle next year.
But once he gets to Hendrick, will Kahne regain his superstar status? Here are 10 reasons he won't.
10. Recent History
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Kahne's been mired in a season-long slump in 2010. After finishing 10th last year, Kahne has failed to register a win this season, finishing the regular season 21st, well outside the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup.
Kasey's in the midst of a 34-race winless streak, although he's battled inferior equipment all season long.
Even so, for a racer who is supposedly entering his prime, that's disconcerting.
9. Media Coverage
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In NASCAR, who is considered a superstar is largely based on media coverage. If the press likes you, you're golden, even if your results aren't all that great.
For much of his career, Kahne has been at least second in star power on whatever team he's been on. In his last two seasons with Ray Evernham and his years with RPM, Kahne was the unquestioned star of his team, and fame followed.
Now? He's going to a team already possessing three juggernauts of the superstar world. It's tough to make a dent when you're fourth on the media's totem pole.
8. Mark Martin
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Kahne will be inheriting longtime driver Mark Martin's No. 5 Chevy when he comes to Hendrick.
Martin is a legend in NASCAR, and is one of the most beloved drivers in the history of the sport. He's been so successful for so long that he's almost a lock for the new Hall of Fame.
Succeeding a legend is never easy, and for Kahne, it's doubly tough because Martin's been around for so long. Failure isn't guaranteed, but it's close to it.
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7. Too Distracted Being Kasey Kahne
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Kasey Kahne has the potential. No one's denying that. But he's also incredibly intelligent and media savvy, maybe the most media-savvy driver on the circuit.
Kahne knows women think he's adorable. He knows marketers want to use him. He also knows he doesn't have to be the most successful racer in the world to make money.
In other words, Kahne's content to be a mid-level star and rake in endorsement money.
6. He's Damaged Goods
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Kahne has spent his career dogged by bad luck and inferior equipment.
After a while, even the most talented racers get affected by that kind of thing. They start to think it might not be the car or bad luck; it might just be them.
I'm not saying Kahne's not a good driver—just that maybe, after so many seasons of crappy equipment dooming him, he's starting to think it might be him after all.
5. Red Bull Racing
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Kahne may have thought RPM was small-time this year, and may have been frustrated by his team's lack of decent equipment, but who's to say Red Bull will be any better?
Red Bull has only been around since 2007, and has yet to place a driver in the Chase. They've won all of one race in their time on the circuit, in 2009. While youngster Scott Speed shows potential, this team seems to be a long way from being contenders.
It's been said that all Kahne needs to succeed is the right equipment.
Can Red Bull provide it?
4. Expectations
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Ever since he entered the NASCAR Sprint Cup, Kahne has faced serious expectations. He took over for Bill Elliot in the No. 9 car in 2004, and was expected to make an immediate impact. While Kahne found success, it was never to the extent he would have liked.
He showed promise in 2006, but that campaign has been a career year thus far.
Joining Hendrick Motorsports, Kahne will once again have serious expectations for the 2012 season. Given what his history has shown us, he won't meet them.
3. Jimmie Johnson
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Johnson has ascended to alpha dog status at HMS, thanks to his four consecutive championships. What does that mean for Kahne?
Well, considering Hendrick is one of the best teams for sharing race data amongst cars, it means he could be the guinea pig for plenty of experiments to figure out what works best for JJ's car.
Experiments are not always the best way to win titles, or races, as Kahne will learn very quickly.
2. Dale Earnhardt, Jr.
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For an idea of just how well things tend to go when a high-profile star switches teams, Kahne need look no further than former DEI teammate, Dale Earnhardt, Jr.
Junior's tenure at Hendrick has been marked by disappointment, and this year was no exception, as he finished 19th in points.
Dale is still a star because of his famous name, but for someone like Kahne, who needs to win to stay a star, Earnhardt's tale has a powerful message: Just because your team is successful doesn't mean you will be.
1. He Was Never That Good To Begin With
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If there's one reason why Kahne won't get back to superstardom, this is it: He was never that successful to begin with.
Other than 2006, when he won six races, Kahne has never won more than two races in a season in his career. He's spent his career on the verge, spurred on by moderate success and his boyish good looks.
Some of Kahne's failure can be attributed to bad cars, particularly recently. He is a talented racer who is capable of achieving superstar status. But if results are any indicator, Kahne might never get to the plateau in the first place to lose it.
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