NASCAR: 5 drivers who should attempt the Memorial Day Double
By Asher Fair
Kasey Kahne
Kasey Kahne, 38, has always had a temptation to drive in IndyCar. He expressed interest in doing so before his NASCAR Cup Series career began back in the 2004 season and even before his NASCAR Busch Grand National Series (now Xfinity) Series career began back in the 2002 season.
To this day, he remains interested in doing so, and there were rumors of him potentially even doing so this season. Instead, he is in his 15th season as a full-time Cup Series driver in what is arguably his worst ride yet as the driver of the #95 Chevrolet for the underfunded Leavine Family Racing team. He has not finished higher than 17th place through 11 races so far this season, and he sits in 27th in the championship standings.
If Kahne is truly serious about racing in IndyCar, the time is now for him to seriously think about competing in the series, the Indy 500, and potentially attempting the Memorial Day Double before his Cup Series career comes to an end.
Kahne participated in a test session at the Homestead Miami Speedway road course back in 2001 and had this to say about it, according to Racing Reference.
"“I really didn’t know what to expect. I’d never driven a car like it, especially on a road course. I was pretty nervous at the start, but all the guys from Team Rahal were really good at helping me to feel comfortable in the car. The power of the car and how quickly it accelerated and braked was just amazing. It really opened my eyes.”"
He stated the following a few months later, according to Racing Reference.
"“If I could get a lot of testing in over the winter, I’d love to run a Champ car in CART and also run the Indianapolis 500. That’s the only way I’d want to do it, though.”"
That obviously has not happened, but it still could (IndyCar, that is; not CART). Kahne has never driven competitively in IndyCar, but he has come close to doing so.
In 2011, he likely would have been the driver to compete to win $5 million in the IndyCar championship finale at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. However, he had previously signed with Hendrick Motorsports for the 2012 season to replace Mark Martin, and Rick Hendrick, the team owner and Kahne’s new boss, prevented him from doing so.
Dan Wheldon ended up being the driver to compete to win that $5 million prize, and he was tragically killed in a wreck early on in that race, which ended up being canceled. In essence, Hendrick may have saved Kahne’s life.
Kahne’s desire to drive in IndyCar has been evident throughout even more years than his entire NASCAR career has spanned. One of these years, he may just get the opportunity to attempt the Memorial Day Double. He certainly should.