Kahne celebrates after winning  Photo- Getty Images

By Jason Schultz


A strategy filled afternoon in New Hampshire put Kasey Kahne in victory lane at the end of the race. 


Kahne won his second race of the season and put himself in the first wild card position. Kahne said to make the Chase he “need(s) to stay after it.” This win was definitely a momentum builder for Kahne and will help him come Chase time. 


The rain threatened but never arrived at the track. 


Pole-sitter Kyle Busch led all the laps until the first round of green-flag pit stops began on lap 60. Busch had a slow stop and then received a pit road speeding penalty, putting him in the 22^nd position after serving the penalty. 


Busch’s Joe Gibbs Racing teammate Denny Hamlin then assumed the lead after the cycle of pit stops. 


The first caution of the day came out on lap 89 when debris was spotted on the track. Jeff Gordon did not pit and took over as race leader followed by Hamlin, Johnson, Kahne and Earnhardt Jr. Hamlin would soon take the lead from Gordon. 


Hendrick dominance was present in the race and on lap 98, all four Hendrick drivers were in the top-five. 


At the halfway point of the race, Hamlin led followed by Johnson, Kahne, Earnhardt Jr and Keselowski. 


On lap 154 the second round of green-flag pit stops began. Hamlin was still the leader following the stops. 


The second yellow-flag came out on lap 191 when more debris was spotted on the track. On the restart, Kyle Busch who stayed out was the leader. Hamlin would soon pass Busch and inherit the lead. 


On lap 235 the caution came out for David Reutimann who blew his engine and left liquid on the track. Just before the caution came out, Jimmie Johnson and Kyle Busch pit, putting them both a lap down. However, Johnson received the lucky dog, getting him back on the lead lap. Busch would take the wave around to get back on the lead lap. 


Kasey Kahne made a strategic move and took two tires and the lead for the restart. Hamlin’s team decided on four tires, causing him to start deep in the field on the restart. 


On lap 272, Hamlin continued his quest to the front and passed Earnhardt Jr for third. Hamlin eventually passed Bowyer for second and started to charge towards Kahne. Hamlin came up short in reaching Kahne up to the final laps and the No. 5 car crossed the line first to pick up his second victory of the season. 


With the win, Kahne improves his Chase chances that much more. Kahne said in victory lane that “Hamlin was obviously the best car” and he was lucky to beat Hamlin in the closing laps. 


Kahne moved up to twelfth in points and now holds the first wild car position, with Kyle Busch holding the second wild card position. If Carl Edwards wins a race, he will be in position for a wild card spot. 


Kahne showed today that he is serious about contending for the championship by winning a race and almost setting a lock on a wild card position for him. 


In two weeks, the Sprint Cup Series heads to Indianapolis to kick-off ESPN’s coverage of the races. Before the Indianapolis race arrives, we should know the fate of A.J Allmendinger. 


The championship Chase will heat up after this off-week, as the start of the Chase for the Sprint Cup will begin after the next seven races.

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