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NASCAR Update - Kasey Kahne makes a move

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NASCAR Update: Kahne Makes a Move

With the entire NASCAR world watching him, Kyle Busch had a chance to win his second race at the Atlanta Motor Speedway this past Sunday and vault into the Sprint Cup Chase discussion. It was not meant to be, though, as Kyle finished a disappointing 13 th and is now in 14 th place, two spots away from the Chase.

Instead of Kyle stepping it up, it was Kasey Kahne who suddenly looked like the best driver in NASCAR. Kahne won the Pep Boys 500 and jumped five spots to 6 th place in the Sprint Cup Standings. Kasey now becomes a legitimate long shot to win the Sprint Cup. It was the second win of the year for Kasey and still more proof that a good drier in the #9 Budweiser car can produce victories.

Here are some other observations after Atlanta.

Montoya Has Turned the Corner

Just two years ago Juan Pablo Montoya was almost coming to blows with his fellow NASCAR drivers on the racetrack. Now, Montoya is in position to not only make the Chase but he could win it should he keep improving. Juan Pablo finished third at Atlanta this past week. He didn’t make a single mistake really and was calm behind the wheel. This year he might not make a huge move once the Chase starts, but next year could be Montoya’s year. In any case, the guy has turned the corner and is now a legitimate NASCAR driver.

Stewart Bounce Back Means That There’s Still Smoke in the Chase

Stewart bounced back from a dreadful 33 rd place finish at Bristol to finish 11 th this past Sunday at Atlanta. It’s a sign that Smoke is still fully capable of bringing home another Sprint Cup Championship and that he’s successfully balanced his driver and owner responsibilities. With an average finish of 10 th at Richmond, Smoke figures to keep the good times rolling this weekend.

Hendrick Boys Keep Rolling

Mark Martin finished 5 th at Atlanta, putting to bead any rumors that he wouldn’t make the Chase, and Jeff Gordon finished 8 th. The lone Hendrick Motorsports driver in the top 12 in the Sprint Cup Standings who did badly was Jimmie Johnson. Johnson finished 36 th. Is it a sign that the 3 time Sprint Cup Champion might have to relinquish his title in 2009? Maybe, but Johnson is fully capable of turning things around at a moment’s notice. If the Sportsbook is offering good odds on Jimmie to win the Sprint Cup, then gamblers had better consider betting him.

This week NASCAR returns to Richmond for the final race before the start of the Chase!