LAS VEGAS (AP) - So much for Kasey Kahne’s latest slow start.
Kahne barely missed out on his first Las Vegas victory Sunday, leading 114 laps and finishing second behind Matt Kenseth after several futile attempts to make a late pass.
After crashing at Daytona and then fading to 19th after starting second last week in Phoenix, Kahne drove his Chevrolet to a finish that matched his Vegas career best. He dominated much of the race and seemed difficult to beat, but Kenseth’s cagey move out of the final pit stop left Kahne behind.
“My engine ran unbelievable, the car was perfect, and the guys did an awesome job,” Kahne said. “We just didn’t get the win.”
Kahne’s slow start in 2012, his first season with Hendrick Motorsports, left many wondering if the move to NASCAR’s winningest team had mentally bothered the former boy wonder. Kahne proved the doubters wrong by winning twice and finishing a career-best fourth in the overall standings.
“I had the car to beat today,” he said. “We lost, but it was still a great run for all of our guys.”
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