Kahne returns to Richmond, site of first career Cup win

Kasey Kahne is 20/1 to win at Richmond Saturday

No. 5 Great Clips Chevrolet SS / Kasey Kahne

Driver: Kasey Kahne 

Hometown: Enumclaw, Washington
Age: 35 

Resides: Mooresville, North Carolina

SEASON-TO-DATE: After the first eight NASCAR Sprint Cup Series races this season, Kasey Kahne currently ranks first in quality passes (698), second in average running position (9.232), second in fastest drivers on restarts (7.750 average rank), second in laps in top 15 (2,380), third in fastest speed in traffic (7.000 average rank), fifth in fastest drivers late in a run (6.857 average rank), sixth in fastest drivers early in a run (7.714 average rank), sixth in driver rating (97.7), seventh in green-flag speed (6.857 average rank) and eighth in fastest laps run (101). 

FIRST CUP WIN: At Richmond in May 2005, Kahne earned his first career Sprint Cup Series win. After starting from the pole position, Kahne led a race-high 242 of 400 laps and took the checkered flag more than 1.6 seconds ahead of Tony Stewart. Kahne is one of three active drivers -- and one of just 22 drivers all-time -- who have won from the pole at Richmond in 117 Cup races. He has an average start of 12.9 at the 0.75-mile track.

RICHMOND LOOP DATA: According to NASCAR loop data during the last 20 Sprint Cup Series races at Richmond, Kahne ranks sixth in fastest laps run (358), seventh in green-flag passes (983), ninth in fastest drivers early in a run (118.690 mph), ninth in green-flag speed (116.060 mph), ninth in speed in traffic (115.586 mph) and 10th in fastest drivers late in a run (114.405 mph).

SHORT TRACK STATS: Kahne has collected two of his 17 career Cup wins and three of his 26 pole positions on short tracks. His most recent short-track win was at Bristol in March 2013. He has 12 top-five finishes and 21 top-10s in 68 starts on tracks less than one mile in length.

RICHMOND CHASSIS CHOICE: Crew chief Keith Rodden has selected Hendrick Motorsports Chassis No. 5-897 for Saturday evening’s race at Richmond. Kahne raced with this chassis at New Hampshire Motor Speedway in September 2014, where he finished 23rd.

GREAT CLIPS / STYLIST APPRECIATION DAY: Great Clips will adorn the hood of Kahne’s No. 5 Chevrolet SS this weekend at Richmond, and will showcase a special message on the TV panel for Stylist Appreciation Day, which is on April 30. Great Clips will be the primary sponsor on the car for seven more Sprint Cup Series races this year: Kansas Speedway (May 9), Michigan International Speedway (June 14), Sonoma Raceway (June 28), Daytona International Speedway (July 5), New Hampshire Motor Speedway (July 19), Chicagoland Speedway (Sept. 20) and Homestead-Miami Speedway (Nov. 22).

​ ​ ​   2015 Season 7th in standings 8 starts 0 wins 0 pole positions 1 top-five finish 3 top-10 finishes 35 laps led     Career 404 starts 17 wins 26 pole positions 84 top-five finishes 149 top-10 finishes 4,576 laps led     Richmond Career  22 starts 1 win 1 pole position 4 top-five finishes 7 top-10 finishes 281 laps led   ​ ​ ​ ​ ​