Fearless Forecast- Charlotte: Will It Be A Clean Sweep For Kahne?

Picking winners for some tracks is pretty easy. Dale Jr. loves the super speedways and his record reflects that. Jeff Gordon, and even the likes of Elliott Sadler and Michael Waltrip are successful at Daytona and Talladega. On the road courses, ya gotta like Gordon and of course, you can make yourself look good by picking a former open wheeler like Juan Pablo, Marcos Ambrose or Tony Stewart. Carl Edwards is the “King of Concrete” and the Roush drivers rock at Vegas and Fontana.

Sometimes the favorite at other tracks isn’t so obvious. You’d think that would be the case at Lowe’s Motor Speedway. Jimmie Johnson has represented his primary sponsor well and takes occasion to even make a token appearance at the old Charlotte Speedway.

But picking Jimmie would be too easy and he’s got some competition.

Based on what we’ve seen in the practice sessions, the Gillett-Evernham boys are poised for a good run. Kasey Kahne and Elliott Sadler have put together some nice work. They’re also joined at the top of the speed charts by the surging Greg Biffle and by the familiar faces of Carl Edwards and Dale Earnhardt Jr.

If certain teams have an edge at certain tracks, I’m seeing two teams that have a knack for success at Lowe’s. Hendrick Motorsports is look stout with Johnson, Gordon Junior, and even the soon-to-be-departed Casey Mears is driving with a purpose. GEM has been good all year there, and their success would be even more evident if Elliott could match his practice prowess with race success. I even expect the flavor of the week in the #10 car, this week that would be Lauren Wallace’s favorite cousin Mike-to fare well this evening.

My vote for this race belongs to Kasey Kahne.

Kahne got in the all-star race here in May by virtue of the fan vote. He capitalized for a win. The Bud Man followed that up with another victory at the Coca-Cola 600 here a couple of weeks later. Thinking back to that hot streak, it seems inconceivable that his Chase hopes derailed and missed NASCAR’s “playoff” run. In view of that, it would be vindication for Kahne to do what no other Cup driver has done, and that’s pull the trifecta at Lowe’s by winning the all-star race, the Coca-Cola 600 and the Fall race in the same season.

The key for Kahne will be to stay away from the danger. There’s little doubt Ray Evernham and is gang have got those Dodge engines in good running order. Sadly, while some drivers have a knack for avoiding the messes, Kahne and Sadler have not. To be fiar, it should also be noted that there’s been some brake trouble along the way as well.

Jimmie Johnson may very well march one step closer to a third Cup title in a row by winning at Lowe’s. But right now, my money’s on Kasey Kahne. we’ve been talking about the importance of confidence in racing success, and Kahne is no more confident than he is here.

So- look for fans to be raising a little Kahne at Lowe’s.