Kahne brings 2014 experience to Chicago

CONCORD, N.C. -- For NASCAR Sprint Cup drivers, off-days in the 36-race season are few and far between. When these athletes do receive time off, their activities vary, but usually take place away from the familiarity of the racetrack.

Not Kasey Kahne.

Instead of vacationing, the driver of the No. 5 Farmers Insurance Chevrolet SS spent his last off-weekend in July racing for JR Motorsports at Chicagoland Speedway. That experience may give him a leg up on the competition when the Chase kicks off at the Illinois track this weekend.

“I was glad I went on our last off-weekend and ran for JR Motorsports at Chicagoland,” Kahne said. “We ran fourth and I felt like we had a really good time and learned a lot about the track and the tire. Hopefully we can use some of that to help us when we get there.”

Kahne’s track record at Chicagoland won’t hurt his run this weekend either. The 34-year-old driver has an average finish of 7.2 in the last five races at the 1.5-mile oval, including third-place results in 2009 and 2012. Kahne also has recorded 10 of his 17 career Cup wins on tracks one-to-two miles in length, his most recent win at Atlanta Motor Speedway on Aug. 31 falling under that category.

“Chicago is a cool track and I like a lot,” Kahne said. “There will be lots of racing going on; you can move around a lot.”

But Kahne will have another important factor on his side when he arrives at Chicagoland for 267 laps of racing.

“It’s all about momentum and where you’re at,” Kahne said. “Right now I feel like we have momentum as a team and hopefully we can carry that through and take it with us to Chicago.”