Kahne Scores First Atlanta Top-Five Since Victory in 2014

HAMPTON, Ga.—  Kasey Kahne scored a top-five finished at Atlanta Motor Speedway.

Kahne was the highest finishing driver from the Hendrick Motorsports stable. Kahne has been considered the “sleeper” at Hendrick Motorsports over the past couple seasons. This run is Kahne’s best finish at the track since his victory back in 2014.

Kahne started the race from the 29th position, but battled throughout the race to strive for contention for the victory.

“We started really slow. I was so loose and the adjustments were perfect today. They fixed the car. Keith (Rodden, crew chief) and the engineers did a great job of making the car better; a lot better at that. But then when you’re behind you just battle and battle long runs. It was tough,” said Kahne.

Unlike recent years, Kahne was able to dig himself out of a hole.

“A lot because that is actually really hard to do.  It’s hard to do when you are one of the best teams and drivers and running up front all the time and you get back there, it’s tough to dig out of.  For us, the last year or two it’s been really hard and today we did it, so that was really nice to see and nice to be part of and we will just keep building from there.  It feels really good to dig out of where we started. It wasn’t good at the start,” said Kahne.

Kahne finished seventh at Daytona. The season has started out on a high note for Kahne, as he hopes to continue the momentum throughout the 2017 season.

Caleb Whisler
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