[vincesanity82]

This Bud could be for Kasey Kahne. With Dale Earnhardt Jr. leaving at the end of the season to drive for Rick Hendrick, that opens the door for Kahne at Dale Earnhardt Inc. There's not another driver in the garage who could match Earnhardt's Q Score, but when it comes to hot Nextel Cup properties, Kahne isn't too far behind. Kahne would easily transition into the Budweiser's advertising campaign.

The potential of the 26-year-old on and off the track is limitless, but this year Kahne has been struggling at Evernham Motorsports. After a phenomenal season in 2006, Kahne is currently 28th in points and hasn't visited Victory Lane since last fall at Lowe's Motor Speedway — 20 races ago. In 16 starts, Kahne has just one top-10 — a seventh-place finish at Daytona.


His Evernham teammate Elliott Sadler is currently 21st in points, but Scott Riggs, whose car is under the EMS roof but owned by James Rocco, entered the weekend 36th in points. Riggs missed his third race after failing to qualify for the Lenox Industrial Tools 300 at New Hampshire.


According to sources, Kahne has a clause in his contract that would enable him to leave Evernham Motorsports if a change in ownership occurs. Introducing Montreal Canadians owner George Gillett into the EMS partnership could provide Kahne with the out for which he's searching. Kahne's legal counsel offered a "no comment" when asked whether the driver had asked for his release.


DEI is on an upswing. Martin Truex Jr. won his first race this season and both he and Earnhardt currently sit in the top 12 in the point standings — the qualification zone for the Chase to the Nextel Cup. DEI recently entered into an engine partnership with Richard Childress Racing that will reap rewards for both organizations.
With the new management team at DEI and the myriad of opportunities afforded the drivers from a marketing standpoint compounded by president

Max Siegel's history in the music business, Kahne's career could rocket.


At 26, Kahne is well-polished and could easily transition into numerous marketing categories. In 125 starts, Kahne has seven wins, 13 poles, 30 top-10s and 42 top-fives. After three full seasons, his best finish in the point standings was eighth place last year.
Budweiser has been a primary sponsor at DEI since Earnhardt debuted on the Cup tour in 1999. A connection with Kahne could be a win-win for everyone involved.

FOX Sports on MSN - NASCAR - Kahne could fill opening at DEI next year

[Nevadastars]

Originally Posted by vincesanity82

A connection with Kahne could be a win-win for everyone involved.

Everyone except Evernham Motorsports

[jks812]

Boy thats bad when all these drivers and sponsors put all these clauses in the contract to get them out of it when they want out. So will he be leaving cause he's not doing good or because Ray may bring a partner in? He sure would look strange doing a Bud commercial, he don't look old enough to drink....lol.
I know the drivers like to blame the owners and team when they not running good. But at what point does the driver think, hey, maybe part of it is me too.

[wingkey1]

"compounded by president Max Siegel's history in the music business"

That seemed kinda outta left field when initially read. Thought maybe Casey was going to pursue career singing.

[Pepsi One]

Originally Posted by jks812

Boy thats bad when all these drivers and sponsors put all these clauses in the contract to get them out of it when they want out. So will he be leaving cause he's not doing good or because Ray may bring a partner in? He sure would look strange doing a Bud commercial, he don't look old enough to drink....lol.
I know the drivers like to blame the owners and team when they not running good. But at what point does the driver think, hey, maybe part of it is me too.

Im not a Kahne fan but i do respect the skill he would bring to the table, I would blame the driver if Evernham had a single car worth a crap this year but he doesn't so if a talented driver wants to leave a washed up program and salvage his career who can blame him!