Take 5: Five Things To Takeaway From Atlanta

Marvin Gentry-USA TODAY Sports

Take 1 – Hendrick Motorsports will be representing 25 percent of the 2014 chase field.

With Kasey Kahne winning in Atlanta Sunday night he will now join Jeff Gordon, Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Jimmie Johnson in the 2014 chase. Kahne will not be the favorite to win the chase and will most likely be the least favorite of all the HMS drivers but none of that matters. What does matter is that Kahne is in there and that the slate is washed clean once the chase begins. Just look at what Tony Stewart did during the chase in 2011; if that’s not enough to make you believe anything in possible than I don’t know what is.

Aside from making the chase the win will give Kahne an opportunity to prove his worth. Kahne’s contract with HMS is coming to an end after next season and the Chase Elliott rumors will only get hotter between now and then. The 2014 chase and the 2015 season might be auditions for a new contract. Regardless of his future with HMS though it was nice to see Kahne finally break through last night. Oh and on a side note – those of you that went to social media to talk about how HMS “bought” Kahne a win or NASCAR “rigged” it for Kahne – all I have to say is REALLY?